By KAYLIN PICKETT
BG Independent News
With the approach of Halloween comes the hunt for the perfect pumpkin to turn into a spooky jack-o-lantern. That means finding a patch with a large selection of pumpkins – and Abke’s Pumpkins and Such in Pemberville is just the place.
With 45 different types of pumpkins and other gourds, everyone in the family can find the perfect canvas to create their dream jack-o-lantern. There are also other activities, like a corn maze and barn animals to feed, to make a day out of the trip.
Abke’s Pumpkins and Such was opened by Russell Abke 20 years ago as an outlet for his fondness of vine plants. His journey with growing pumpkins began in grade school, when he planted a small patch, but they were all stolen before he could harvest them.
Now that the small pumpkin patch has grown into something much bigger for the community to enjoy. Abke now requires help keeping up with the farm and hires local, hardworking and responsible kids.
“They come and shake my hand at the end of the day,” Abke said. “That’s not something you see very often.”
The layout of the farm consists of a large spread of all kinds of pumpkins scattered throughout the front yard. The price for every pumpkin varies depending on size and type and can be found written on the bottom of the pumpkin.
The various squashes and gourds are displayed in baskets within a small gazebo in the yard. There is also a trailer where tiny gourds and pumpkins are displayed to add different shapes and textures to fall decor.
Abke also sells fall decor outside of the gourd family. Displayed on that same trailer are multi-colored corn and bales of hay. He also sells chrysanthemums of all different colors that he receives from a local Amish man.
Right before the entrance to the corn maze are the animals, there are ducks, chickens and pigs with a large crate of corn for people to feed them.
The corn maze is $5 per person, age 8 and older. According to Abke, the quickest route through the maze takes about 20 minutes. He has been doing the maze for about 10 years now and enjoys hearing everyone having a fun time while trying to find their way out.
“One night there must have been a soccer team or something out there because I could hear them yelling and trying to find their way out while their coach was scaring them,” Abke said.
The farm is open 24 hours, and Abke runs it entirely on the honor system. Prices for everything are either written on the item, on the crate they’re in or shown on the announcement board. To pay for the items, there is a yellow lock box for customers to drop their cash or checks into. There is also another lock box at the entrance to the corn maze if people are visiting just for a fun puzzle.
Before leaving Abke’s Pumpkins and Such, make sure to get the kids a complimentary coloring book and mini pumpkin and snap a few pictures with the Charlie Brown photo set.
Abke’s Pumpkins and Such is located at 2990 Sugar Ridge Road in Pemberville.
