Ipswich farmers have decided to expand their pumpkin patch - after growing the crop for the second year running.

The pumpkin patch is the latest diversification at Akenham Hall Farm in Henley Road.

Pumpkin growers have been enjoying a bumper crop and some large specimens due to the wet summer this year - including the Wheatons - so much so that they have been dubbed "plumpkins". 

They have grown some Atlantic Giants which they have nurtured to see how big they could get them and they are now weighing in at 35kg-plus

Tom and Anne Wheaton moved to the farm in 1995, where they brought up sons Ben and James and daughter Emily, now 26.

Emily first proposed the pumpkin patch last year and the response to it was "brilliant", she said.

That prompted its expansion this year - and some huge specimens as plenty of rainfall meant some have grown to massive proportions.

The pumpkin patch this year features an array of colours and sizes - including classic orange, white, blue, pink, green, yellow, and some knobbly varieties.

"We became involved in growing pumpkins as we wanted to diversify further and being on the edge of Ipswich there were no other pumpkin patches in the vicinity," said Emily.

"The pumpkins look great and we are hoping for decent weather and to hear the sound of fun and laughter in the field."

The patch opened to the public on Saturday, September 30, and will continue to open every weekend in October - and for the whole of half term week.

Akenham Hall Farm is a traditional arable farm which grows wheat, barley, oilseed rape, sugar beet and most recently, borage.

The Wheatons are committed to environmental stewardship and have devoted areas of land to wildlife schemes.

They have also been keen on diversifications, and in 1996 introduced a pick-your-own enterprise selling a range of soft fruits including strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and broad beans which ran for 20 years. 

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They built two small fishing lakes which are currently leased to an angling club, and let out a variety of commercial units in the farmyard.

At Christmas time, the farm sells locally-sourced Christmas trees, hand-made wreaths, and a variety of seasonal gifts and decorations.

This year alongside the pumpkin patch they are hosting a coffee station, ice cream stall, a pizza van, a bouncy castle and face painting.

Akenham Hall Pumpkin Patch is open every weekend in October and during the October half term (October 23 to 29) from 10am – 4pm.

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