This is Fowler Pumpkin Patch's ninth year serving as the only pumpkin patch for Bloomington families and IU students.
The pumpkin patch added new attractions several years ago to attract more customers. Owner Perry Fowler said the business survived several difficulties and changes over the years, including losing customers during the off-season.
“We started with pumpkins only,” Perry Fowler said. “Now we have hayrides, a corn maze and a petting zoo.”
The pumpkin patch is home to two donkeys, several goats and cows, and occasionally other animals. It also offers both scenic and haunted hay rides, and acres of land with pumpkins to choose from. The pumpkin patch occasionally offers seasonal food and drinks in the barn, such as apple cider and doughnuts.
The family-run business tries to keep up with customers and maintain a fresh and exciting atmosphere by adding attractions like these. The closest pumpkin patch aside from Fowler is Kelp’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch in Nashville, Indiana.
But being one of the only places for fall fun in Bloomington still requires some work.
“We still have good and bad years, usually because of weather,” said Renee Fowler, Perry Fowler’s wife and frequent worker at the pumpkin patch.
On busy weekends, the pumpkin patch sees around 6,000 people, Perry Fowler said.
“We get several IU students throughout the year,” Perry Fowler said.
The pumpkin patch is about 10 miles from Bloomington, but many students make the trip to indulge in fall favorites, Perry Fowler said.
Families also like to visit the pumpkin patch, said Arika Gaddis, who visited for the first time this year.
“I’ve been to different patches before,” Gaddis said. “I believe what stands out the most is that they truly want everyone, especially the kids, to have a great experience.”
Pumpkins are available as long as weather allows, with a wide selection of pumpkins, pie pumpkins and gourds. Pie pumpkins are much smaller than pumpkins in the patch, and there are several types of gourds in different colors and shapes.
“My favorite attraction was really just walking the field of pumpkins,” Gaddis said.
But the off season is a difficult time to keep customers interested.
“We mainly use social media for advertising,” Renee Fowler said. “We post frequently on our social media in the off season.”
In addition to getting the word out, the Fowler family tries to make the best of the large piece of land they have when fall activities are unavailable.
“We do weddings in the barn all summer,” Renee Fowler said.
Even during the months of October and November, the pumpkin patch is only open Thursday through Sunday, since they typically are only busy on weekends.
The pumpkin patch is currently not looking to add anything new, but Perry Fowler hopes the family can continue to draw in customers.
“We have survived the ups and down of the business,” Perry Fowler said.
