Not just pumpkin picking: 7 Reasons to head to Johnson Farms this Fall
Attention locavores: Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins is opening its gates for mums, U-pick vegetables, flowers, pumpkins, and fun harvest season activities for its 15th year this September. Whether it be for a creative afternoon date, some family time, or a little DIY grocery shopping in the fields, here are 7 reasons to ditch the city for a day by the barns this autumn.
1. Colorful mum fields and seasonal flower blooms
Summer showers watered the fall flowers at Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins. In fact, the 16,000 three-gallon mums are grown outside at the farm so they’ll bloom when they’re supposed to, and not when they’re forced to like the big-box store mums. And when they do flower, you’ll walk through a full spectrum of hues, as they’re all specially organized by color.
After you check out the mums, take your special someone and meander through the cut-flower field of numerous varieties of sunflowers and zinnias. Bring your own scissors and you can cut your own bouquet!
2. Harvest your own fresh veggies
After you view the flowers, head to the U-pick vegetable patch to harvest your own fall vegetables—tomatoes, peppers, beets, cabbage, and much more! Perfect if you love locally grown produce, because you really can’t get any closer to the source than this. And, if you want to keep up your DIY farm-to-table lifestyle through the season, you can do just that with a $15 season picking pass!
3. Pumpkin picking
We know that come fall you’ve waited long enough to indulge in some homemade pumpkin pie and jack-o-lantern carving. Well, grab a wheelbarrow, because you have 40 acres of patch ground to cover, and with a plethora of pumpkin varieties to pick from—including jack-o-lanterns, sweet pies, rare whites, and Cinderella pumpkins—it might take a while to find your perfect selections.
4. Awesome activities for all ages
Bring a date or your whole family and get lost in the 20-acre(!) corn maze. Then, if you happen to be at the farm on the weekend, why not watch staff members launch pumpkins hundreds of feet into the air over the lake?
Kids can also explore the playgrounds every day of the week, where they’ll love the Giant Tunnel Crawl, Corn Crib Maze, SIlo Play Yard, and numerous other play areas with room to run around. Then on weekends, the little ones can go to the animal corral to cheer at the pig races!
5. Hyper-local (and hyper-delicious) snacks
Exploring all those farm acres really works up an appetite. When you get hungry or thirsty, head over to The Barnyard Grill for some farm-made snacks. We’re talking pumpkin spice donuts, kettle corn, apple cider slushies, and more.
6. KC Pumpkin Run and Doggie 2k Run
Get a little exercise and fresh country air at one or both of the fall runs at Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins. The Doggie 2k on September 17 is a chance for you to bring Fido out for his morning run at the farm. Don’t forget to dress up, as you and your dog can enter a contest to win prizes like cutest costumed couple and quickest canine. Pets normally aren’t allowed, so this is your only opportunity to check out some pumpkins with your pup.
Or sign up for the 5k KC Pumpkin Run on October 2. Adults and older kids run first, then little kids join in for some jogging right after.
7. Relax for a day in the countryside
Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins is only 25 minutes south of downtown KC, so the farm is far from the city, but close to your home. As soon as you get out of the car you’ll enjoy the fresh rural air in your hair while gazing at the open fields and unobstructed blue horizon.
More info and details
To read more information about Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins seasonal activities, offerings, and events, check out their website www.johnsonfarms.net. The farm is open for mums and U-pick veggies on September 17, and pumpkin picking takes place from September 24 to October 31.