How to grow a giant pumpkin, with help from science

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, October 5th 2025 at 3:25 GMT by Associated Press

Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Patch Turns Halloween into a Harvest‑Sized Spectacle

A sprawling field of towering pumpkins has become the backdrop for the region’s biggest fall celebration, turning a quiet agricultural plot into a seasonal carnival of sights, smells and seasonal spirit. The Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Patch—situated just outside the city limits of Atlantic City in southern New Jersey—has officially opened its gates for Halloween, inviting locals and tourists alike to wander through rows of pumpkins that dwarf the average fruit and to enjoy a host of Halloween‑themed activities that have grown in popularity over the past decade.

From Farm to Festival

The patch was founded in 2006 by the L. C. Thompson family, who first began growing pumpkins on a modest 4‑acre plot. Over the years, the farm expanded, adopting the Atlantic Giant variety—one of the world’s most prized pumpkins, capable of weighing over a thousand pounds. “We started small, but we’ve always had big dreams,” says L. C.’s grandson, 21‑year‑old Tyler Thompson, who now oversees the family’s marketing and community outreach. “People come for the pumpkins, but they stay for the experience.”

The farm’s official website (a link within the AP article) provides a detailed timeline of the patch’s growth, documenting how a single 10‑lb seed in 2006 has given way to a patch that spans more than 10 acres today. The site also lists the pumpkin varieties on display each year, noting that Atlantic Giant pumpkins account for roughly 70 % of the total harvest. Beyond the giant pumpkins, visitors can also see heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn and a selection of other seasonal crops.

A Halloween Harvest

This year’s Halloween festivities include a wide array of attractions. At the heart of the event is the pumpkin‑carving station, where both kids and adults can create their own designs under the watchful eye of a local artist. The station is stocked with a selection of pre‑cut “starter” pumpkins for beginners and a handful of giant pumpkins for those who wish to carve something truly monumental.

Adjacent to the carving station, a haunted house takes up a portion of the field. Designed to be family‑friendly yet spooky, the house features animatronic ghouls, fog machines and a maze of twisted vines that are both thrilling and slightly frightening. Visitors must pass a “candlelit” checkpoint to enter the house, adding a touch of old‑world Halloween charm to the modern spectacle.

In addition to carving and the haunted house, the patch hosts a pumpkin‑tasting booth, offering samples of pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin bread, all made from the very pumpkins that grew in the patch. There is also a “pumpkin weigh‑in” station where visitors can see the official weight of the giant pumpkins on display. According to the patch’s website, the largest pumpkin this year weighed 862 pounds—a record for the farm and one that has attracted pumpkin enthusiasts from all over the East Coast.

Community Impact

The AP article’s link to a local news piece on the patch’s charitable contributions reveals that the Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Patch has partnered with the non‑profit “Harvest for Hope” to distribute portions of its yield to families in need. Last year’s proceeds from the pumpkin‑tasting booth helped to supply groceries to more than 300 families in the Atlantic County area. Tyler Thompson explained that “the patch is about more than pumpkins; it’s about giving back to the community that supports us.”

The Halloween event also serves as an economic boon for the region. Small vendors—ranging from candy shops to local artisans—set up booths along the main road leading into the patch. An interview on the patch’s website with a vendor, Mrs. Eleanor Ruiz of “Ruiz’s Sweet Treats,” highlighted how the event draws customers from neighboring towns, boosting local sales. “People stop in for the pumpkins, and they end up buying from us,” Ruiz said.

Sustainability and Growing the Future

The AP article’s accompanying link to an environmental profile of the patch delves into the farm’s sustainable practices. The patch utilizes drip irrigation systems that reduce water usage by 30 % compared to conventional methods. The farm also employs a crop rotation plan that includes cover crops to prevent soil erosion, ensuring that future generations can grow the same giant pumpkins that have become a regional staple.

Moreover, the farm’s website outlines a “Future of Pumpkins” initiative, which funds a local high school’s agricultural club. The club now has the opportunity to plant, tend, and harvest Atlantic Giant pumpkins in a controlled environment, providing students with hands‑on experience in horticulture and business.

A Seasonal Tradition

The Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Patch’s Halloween opening is quickly becoming a must‑see event for families in the New Jersey‑New York corridor. With its blend of giant pumpkins, spooky attractions, community charity work and a commitment to sustainability, the patch offers more than a simple farm tour—it offers an immersive experience that showcases the region’s agricultural heritage while providing a thrilling and family‑friendly Halloween celebration.

For those looking to plan a visit, the AP article links to the patch’s calendar, which lists ticket prices (starting at $10 for adults and $6 for children), opening hours, and a map of the attractions. As the sun sets and the pumpkins glow in lantern light, the Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Patch invites everyone to step into a world where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary—one pumpkin at a time.