Meet the Farmer Behind Your Munchkin Pumpkins! 🎃

This month, we're excited to share something extra special in your Barry’s Cactus Club box—a cute little munchkin pumpkin, grown with love by George Holdstock ( George is below) on his family farm just outside the historic city of Canterbury, Kent which is Barry’s closest city these days! These pumpkins are a charming, eco-friendly alternative to plastic Halloween decorations, and we’re thrilled to tell you more about the story behind them!

George at Pick Your Own Plumpkin’s, Canterbury, Kent

From Lockdown Project to Pumpkin Patch 🌱

George first started growing pumpkins in 2020 as a little lockdown project, planting just a few seeds on a whim. Fast forward a few years, and George’s pumpkin crop has grown in both size and popularity, with more and more people flocking to his farm’s PYO (Pick Your Own) patch each autumn. What started as a fun experiment is now a must-visit spot for locals, with families enjoying a traditional day out in the countryside, selecting their own pumpkins fresh from the field.

A Sustainable Halloween Decoration 🎃🌍

In today’s world, sustainability matters more than ever, and these munchkin pumpkins are the perfect eco-friendly alternative to plastic Halloween decorations that often only get used once. Not only are these pumpkins biodegradable, but they also have a fantastic shelf life. Keep yours intact, and it’ll last well into 2025! If you notice any green on your munchkin, don’t worry—it will continue to ripen. To speed up the process, just pop it on a sunny windowsill for a little extra warmth.

And when you’re ready to say goodbye to your pumpkin, don’t toss it in the bin. Instead, add it to your food or garden waste! Though these pumpkins aren’t edible, they’ll break down and make fantastic compost, giving back to the earth in a way plastic never could.

Meet the Holdstock Family Farm 🌾

George isn’t farming alone—he runs the farm alongside his parents, sisters, and a small but mighty farm team. Together, they manage a traditional mixed farming system, growing not just pumpkins, but also apples, pears, potatoes, and cereals. The farm is home to a pedigree herd of Sussex Cattle (southern cousins to the famous Aberdeen Angus) and a flock of Romney sheep, making it a vibrant, bustling place where old-school farming traditions meet modern-day sustainability.

Take Part in Our Munchkin Pumpkin Competition! 🎉

Now, it’s your turn to get creative! We’re running our special pumpkin competition again this month—decorate or carve your munchkin pumpkin for a chance to win one of our big cactus prizes. Whether you go spooky, silly, or somewhere in between, we can’t wait to see what you come up with. Share your creations by DM’ing us and tagging #barryscactusclub or email them directly to help@barrythecactus.com.

We’ll pick the winners on Halloween, so grab your carving tools and get creative!