Pumpkins & Palms: a pumpkin patch under the palms

Fall does not arrive in South Florida the way it does up north. The leaves stay green, the air stays warm and the pumpkin patches mostly stay somewhere else. This October, SmartyPlants has one: a real pumpkin patch set up under our palms, with hay stacks, cornstalks and pumpkins handpicked for the nursery.

We call it Pumpkins & Palms, and it runs all month.

Where the pumpkins come from

Ryan Boylston, one of our co-owners, drove to Country Boy Produce in Fort Myers and picked out the pumpkins himself with the owner, Tim. Expect a mix of sizes and shapes, from small pie pumpkins for a tabletop to large carving pumpkins for the front steps.

Pumpkins are rung up at the front counter like any of our edibles.

When the patch is open

The patch is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October during regular nursery hours. The first weekend of the month is preview weekend: the patch is up and open to shop, with programming starting the following Sunday.

Each Sunday after that has something going on. Here is the plan for the month.

The Sunday calendar

Sunday, October 11: the patch and hay stacks officially open. Cafe Tico launches its fall specialty drinks, and kids can make pumpkin-and-palm holiday cards.

Sunday, October 18: come in to design your fall front porch. Our team will help you put together pumpkins, plants and pots for your entry.

Sunday, October 25: kids paint pumpkins, pets in costume are welcome for a photo on the haystacks, and there is live pumpkin carving throughout the day.

Saturday, October 31: it is Halloween. Show us your costume at the front counter and get a treat.

Cafe Tico's fall menu

Cafe Tico, the Costa Rican coffee bar inside the nursery, is running a full fall menu through October, with pumpkin-inspired specialty drinks and treats. It is a good reason to come for the patch and stay a while. Grab a drink, find a seat near the cafe and let the kids take their time choosing the right pumpkin. The cafe opens early, so a morning visit before the heat of the day works well for families.

A porch that lasts past Halloween

Pumpkins are only part of a fall entry. In South Florida, the plants around them can carry the look well into winter. Crotons in orange, red and yellow, bronze and burgundy foliage, ornamental peppers and mums give you fall color that does not depend on the weather changing.

Container plantings make it easy to swap out pumpkins after Halloween and keep the rest. Dark pots suit the season well, and Cindy's Pot of the Month for October is all black pots at 25% off. Our post on planning a front entry has more ideas for a porch that works all year.

How to keep a pumpkin longer in the heat

Pumpkins last much longer whole than carved, especially in South Florida. A whole pumpkin kept out of direct afternoon sun and off damp ground can last for weeks. Set it on a mat, a board or a pot saucer rather than directly on soil or wet grass, and check the bottom now and then for soft spots.

A carved pumpkin is a different story. In our heat and humidity, it may only last a few days before it starts to soften. If you want a carved pumpkin for Halloween night, carve it a day or two before, keep it in the shade, and wipe the cut edges dry. For decorating earlier in the month, leave pumpkins whole and use paint, stickers or markers instead of a knife.

Painting pumpkins with kids

Painting is the easiest pumpkin activity for younger kids and the one that keeps the pumpkin intact longest. Acrylic craft paint works well on a clean, dry pumpkin. Let each coat dry before adding details, and use a cup or a ring of tape as a stand so the pumpkin does not roll while they work.

If you want to paint at home after the 25th, the smaller pumpkins in the patch are a good size for small hands.

After Halloween: what to do with your pumpkins

A whole pumpkin that is still firm after Halloween can keep decorating your entry into November alongside fall plants. When it does start to soften, it can go in the compost. Break it into pieces first so it breaks down faster, and remove any candles, paint or wax.

Pie pumpkins can go in the kitchen, and the seeds from any pumpkin roast well with a little oil and salt. Kids who want to try growing pumpkins should know that summer heat and rain make them a challenge in South Florida, so it is a project for experienced gardeners rather than an easy one.

Bringing a group

The patch makes an easy outing for a playgroup, a class or a family reunion. Weekend mornings tend to be cooler and quieter, which suits younger kids, and the hay stacks and pumpkins make a ready-made backdrop for a group photo.

If you are coming with a larger group, call ahead at (561) 540-6296 so we can plan for you. Cafe Tico can keep the grown-ups going with coffee while the kids pick out pumpkins.

Plan your visit

SmartyPlants is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The patch is open Friday through Sunday each weekend in October.

Bring the kids, bring the dog in costume on the 25th, and bring a wagon if you plan on taking home more than one pumpkin. See the full schedule on our events page.

Frequently asked questions