FALL HARVEST: Drought Keeps Pumpkins Smaller

One farmer near Cumming says his crop took a hit during this summer’s drought.

Fred Howell opens his pumpkin patch and corn maze to the public this weekend. An aerial view of the maze shows a boy holding a pumpkin.

Howell says he struggled with the drought the same as every other farmer. But don’t worry, there will be plenty of pumpkins to carve up.  

“We have pumpkins, they are not as big as they would have been cause it didn’t rain, but we have pumpkins… and we’re going,” says Howell with a laugh.

Howell says this is the worst growing season he’s ever been through. But he says things can be just as bad for him if weather this fall doesn’t cooperate and keeps families away from the pumpkin patch.

Howell’s is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. starting Saturday.