In this week’s edition of Fridays in the Field, we are back at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard located near Gretna, Nebraska.
Bryce Doeschot caught up with Vala’s Agricultural Manager, Vaughn Hammond, who shared an update on the growing season. Vaughn also shared details on the 100 + varieties of pumpkins that grow on the farm.
“So far the growing season has been okay,” Hammond said. The farm lucked out on early season hail storms, as they damaged crops not far from the operation.
Hammond says the agri-tourism destination currently has more than 40 acres of pumpkins growing. The farm uses a growing rotation of corn, soybeans and then pumpkins. They also utilize cover crops.
Meanwhile, the apple orchard is at an important growth stage. Hammond reports that the crop is growing well and currently compares to a small baseball in size.
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard will officially open Labor Day weekend with the apple festival. The operation will be open through the end of October.