Pumpkin picking at Aplin Farms
October 20, 2009
The first snap of cool weather means a trip to the pumpkin patch for Avery and me. Normally, we stop by the pumpkin patch at First United Methodist Church in Dothan. There are a lot of pumpkins to choose from and the patch is great spot for photos.
Slideshow:
· View photos from our trip to Aplin Farms.
But Saturday city editor Kendall Clinton invited us to the “pumpkin patch in Slocomb.”
I pictured us traipsing through a field in the middle of nowhere – a new twist on our annual tradition – and being finished in about an hour. Yes, we did wander through a field but Aplin Farms is no mere pumpkin patch.
The farm is located on Geneva County Road 49 (Bay Springs Road). It connects to U.S. Highway 84 and the drive took about 15 minutes from Dothan. On weekends the farm is easy to spot, just look for all the cars parked on the side of the road.
Our group of four adults and two children bypassed the produce market and headed straight for the animal barn. Klie, 5, and Avery, 7, were able to pet goats, bunnies, sheep and a calf. The ducks huddled together far from the children’s fingers and a sign stated that the pigs bite. I think the kids would have been perfectly happy staying in the animal barn the entire time.
Next up was the corn maze. The maze costs $3 per person. I’d like to say we made it to the end, but we didn’t. We walked in circles. That may be because we followed the kids. Our group ended up going back out the entrance but no one seemed to mind. My sister, Meredith, loved the witch flying on a utility pole in the maze. Sadly, we didn’t get a picture of it.
The line for wagon rides to the pumpkin patch is at the produce market. While waiting for our turn, we explored the market. The farm sells its produce, baked goods and other items produced locally. I had my eye on the honey from Headland. Bins of pumpkins in a variety of sizes are in the market for those not wanting to venture into the patch. Pumpkins range from $1-$12 depending on their size.
The ride to the pumpkin patch was fun and well worth the $3 per person price. The patch is divided into big and small pumpkins and bordered by a sunflower field. With a few brief instructions on selecting and picking pumpkins, we headed into the field. Our group picked six pumpkins – small, medium and large.
In addition to pumpkins, most people came back from the fields with bouquets of sunflowers. The wagon driver cut flowers for anyone interested. Klie was determined to go home with a giant one.
We spent a bit more than two hours touring Aplin Farms. Avery is headed back next week with her school class. And I’m looking forward to making another visit to the pumpkin patch next fall.
