A PAIR of Basingstoke farmers are preparing for a third year of events at their pumpkin patch.

Farmers Lynette and Henry Steel started the Rotherwick Patch in 2020 as something to run alongside their main farming business.

The patch grows pumpkins, as well as sunflowers in the summer months.

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Lynette said: “It was born out of a lockdown idea, when we were all going a bit stir-crazy, that maybe there was a market there for a local pumpkin patch because other ones are quite a way from Basingstoke.

Basingstoke Gazette: The patch was started in 2020The patch was started in 2020 (Image: Rotherwick Patch)“So, 2020 was our first year, we grew 1,000 pumpkins that year and this year we are growing about 20,000 pumpkins in six varieties, lots of shapes and sizes but also your classic orange ones.”

Alongside orange pumpkins, the patch is also growing blue and pink pumpkins that pickers can take home.

With 20,000 pumpkins, this is the largest event that the Steel’s have put on at the patch.

Lynette continued: “Each year we try to do some a bit different and each year we try to add a bit more to the patch.

“I don’t know what the plan is for next year, but I’m sure we’ll come up with something!

“We’re just in our third year now, and people’s support has just been amazing, it’s really blown us away.

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“Like I say, we’re just farmers, so this is a big, new thing for us, so it’s really exciting.”

The patch also has a range of other attractions for all the family, included vintage English tractors, spiders made out of hay bales and a house made of pumpkins.

Basingstoke Gazette: Alongside pumpkins, the patch also features vintage tractors that attendees can take photos withAlongside pumpkins, the patch also features vintage tractors that attendees can take photos with (Image: Rotherwick Patch)The Rotherwick Patch is open to members of the public between 10am-4pm on October 15 and October 16 and over the October half term (October 22 – October 30).

Attendees are welcome to bring their pets with them, and there is an animal washing station that can be used to clean them up.

It is free to visit the patch and pick pumpkins. Visitors are asked to book a parking space in advance.

More information about the Rotherwick Patch can be found online at rotherwickpatch.com.