That feeling when less is ten times more … let me tell you why!
As the leaves on the trees start to change colors and the air turns cool and crips. Let me tell you there’s nothing more fun than spending a day in the country for some pumpkin picking and that’s exactly what I did last weekend.
I went to Butler’s Orchard Farm which is a huge farm way way deep in some backwoods of Germantown, Maryland. The farm has been around for quite some time so if you don’t have time this season to check it out definitely swing by next season.
Moving along, Butler’s not only offers pumpkin picking but they offer lots of activities for adults and kids which include the following below.
Apple picking
Pumpkin picking
Raspberry picking
Hayrides
Hill top hot jump pads
Jump in hayloft
Barnyard buddies
Twisted corn made
Live music
Playground
Spiderweb
Corn box
Straw maze
Giant slides
Corn hole games
Pedal tractors
Covid-19 has definitely taught me many things. The one thing I want to share with you all is how to make the most out of your farm visits whether it be a big farm like Butler’s or a small farm like Queen Anne. Let’s get started shall we?
First, plan accordingly
First things first, research. Do a little research before you head out so that you can actually enjoy your time. We’ve all had one of those last minute outing where literally everything goes wrong so let’s avoid that this time. The DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) area offers many many pumpkin patches to choose from. Farms mostly cater to all ages but with a little review reading you’ll be able to gauge which farm is best for you versus what’s best for your little cousins.
If you happen to be in your mid 20s like myself then you may enjoy a pumpkin patch with a few add on activities like haunted houses, corn mazes, slides, or zip lines versus a pumpkin patch catered towards the youth that offers a pumpkin patch and a box of sand.
Bring snacks and water
Most farms are pretty good about offering food and beverages at there farmers market or they’ll have a vendor spot where you can grab a bite. However, some of the smaller farms may NOT offer refreshments and that’s okay. It’s better to be safe and fulfilled with homemade snacks from the car than to be empty and dehydrated with no snacks and no foods. It doesn’t take long to pack a few snacks so do it and you’ll thank me and you’ll save a few bucks if you end up eating your own. Remember to drink lots of waters throughout the day to keep hydrate, especially since you’ll be walking everywhere for a few hours at least.
Dress Accordingly
In order to dress accordingly, you’ll need to check the weather. You will choose a different outfit depending on the temper being hot or cold. Of course, with wet weather you’ll need either an umbrella, rain jacket, or waterproofs. On sunny days, you’ll want to wear a pair of sunglasses and maybe even a hat or baseball cap. DMV weather is constantly changing so having a changing outfit on isn’t a bad idea. A changing outfit or dressing in layers will work perfectly for hot and sunny morning and cold and wet nights.
Generally speaking, I would say a plaid shirt with skinny denim jeans and boots (optional wide brim-mall hat) is the go to sexy farmer chick outfit for women!
If you want to bump your outfit up a notch or two I’d say throw on a denim skirt, colored corduroy skirt, dress, tights, or maybe even a cute pair of boots. Make sure your dress or skirt is squat proof. Can I bend over comfortably? If so, wear it. If not, wrong pick. Let’s talk shoes. As long as your shoe can handle long walks on uneven surfaces then wear it. I would recommend converses, vans, sneakers, boots, or hiking shoes. No thin heels or pumps ladies.
Time Management
Plan to arrive early to give yourself an ample amount of time to spend the day and to explore. When I went to Butler’s, I wasn’t sure how long I would stay but I set aside half of the day for it. I ended up staying at the farm for about three (3) hours give or take and I know I could of stayed longer. The amount of activities were endless making it kind feel like a family reunion or one of my aunties cookouts. I didn’t get to check out all of the activities go figure. If you are worried about getting your money’s worth you will in fact get your money’s worth visiting this farm so long as you check out there pumpkin festival/fall festival and check out the pumpkin patch or field of fruits. In my case, I saw raspberries.
There‘s no need to rush at the Butler’s farm or any farm. Why rush when you have allocated time? Plus most of our weekday is a rush so dont carry that energy to the farm. Slow down and really allow yourself to enjoy the space, the fields, the fall foliage, animals and whatever else.
Pumpkins
The main reason to visit a pumpkin patch is to find the right pumpkin to eat or maybe even to bake with in some form. My main reasoning for getting pumpkins is to carve them with the my dad and sister. Growing up, we would always carve them together and it got intense. My sister and dads pumpkin would always look ten times better than mine but that’s besides the point.
Conclusion
The pumpkin patch is a great place to spend some quality time with friends, family, or a date. They usually offer tons of activities and the best selection of pumpkins. Go to a pumpkin patch out in the country on an actual farm. They will have the freshest pumpkins and more activities than those located in the middle of the city. Spending the day at the pumpkin patch is just good, old-fashion fun. Plan a day trip to one this fall to create some wonderful family memories that you will cherish for years to come.
P.S. … I feel like in life I’ve worked really hard to curate my weekends to consist of seasonal activities and all the planning that’s done during the weekdays is well worth it. Thank you Butler’s Orchard Farm!
Link: https://www.butlersorchard.com/festivals/pumpkin-festival/
xoxo, 😘
carm