Disease is another big concern of pumpkin growers. Powdery mildew and downey mildew have severely damaged pumpkin crops in the past. A fungicide spray can help avoid these diseases. The pumpkin industry has quite a bit of potential as long as farmers maintain proper growing conditions and have a keen eye for problems. Kemble said buyers from as far away as Wisconsin have called him looking for pumpkins by Halloween.
Some growers consider themselves entertainment farmers.
They offer a hayride through the pumpkin patch and let families pick their own pumpkin right off the vine. Marketing is the key to success in pumpkin farming, said Kemble. You have to sell your crop to the industry before you sow any seeds.