Is Killeen, Texas Heading For a Pumpkin Shortage This Fall?

The gourd, the bad, and the ugly. They are all still in the pumpkin patch, but it will cost you more to take them home this year.

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Although pumpkin crops are smaller this season, there's not exactly a shortage - just a bigger demand resulting in higher prices for fall's favorite fruit.

Pumpkin Crops in Texas

Although Illinois actually produces around 90% of pumpkins grown in the United States, Texas does grow crops of high-demand heirloom and jack-o’-lantern standard varieties. Most of those pumpkins are from Floyd County around Floydada, northeast of Lubbock, according to Texas A&M Today.

Texas pumpkin producers experienced the second slow season in a row, as drought conditions this year led to smaller crops. That turned into higher prices, increasing demand for pumpkins of all varieties.

Pumpkin Patches in Central Texas

If you would rather skip the grocery store and go to an actual pumpkin patch instead, there are plenty of great ones to choose from in Central Texas:

• Robinson Family Farms has a new location at 2651 Bob White Road in Temple, Texas and is open through October 30th.
• Barton Hill Farms located in Bastrop (30 miles from downtown Austin), has plenty of pumpkins to choose from. It's also listed as one of the top 8 pumpkin patches in Texas and is open now through November 6th, according to tripstodiscover.com.
• Texas Pumpkin Fest is at a new location on 8760 FM 2243 in Leander, Texas. It will be open October 8th through October 30th.
• Great Hill Country Pumpkin Patch at Love Creek Orchards in Medina is open now through October 30th.
• Sweet Berry Farm, located in Marble Falls, is open now through November 6th.