GLENDALE, Ariz. — It's the time of year when families are heading out to pumpkin patches to enjoy the Valley's cool fall weather.
At Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale, business has been slow. The record-breaking heat makes people want to stay at home until it gets cooler.
“It does not feel like fall," said Amanda Wagaman. "This is hot weather.”
It's supposed to be the farm's busiest time of the year, according longtime owner Bill Tolmachoff. Where not only can people pick pumpkins for Halloween but also enjoy a corn maze, petting zoos and more.
'When it's hot, it doesn't feel fall, so people don't want to come out," Tolmachoff said.
It's not unusual for Arizona to be warm in the start of October, but Tolmachoff said it usually doesn't last as long as it is now. Not only is it bringing in fewer people, but it's also hurting the farm's most popular item this time of year where they sell 50,000 to 60,000 a season:
Pumpkins.
Tolmachoff showed two that received severe sun damage. He said as soon as they are ready to be picked, workers have to immediately grab the pumpkins and store them in shade. He said it's nothing new, but is happening more often.
“That's just the way the game rolls," Tolmachoff said.
As the sun went down, more people started to arrive. Not letting the heat get in their way.
"We're definitely still having fun out here," Morgan Wagaman said.
MacDonald's Ranch is located in Scottsdale and has its very own pumpkin patch. The patch includes a petting zoo, a hay-bale maze, lawn games and more, including the opportunity to pick your perfect pumpkin. But with blistering Arizona heat, Manager Kelcie Binnion knows the first few weeks the gates are open, traffic will be slow.
The pumpkins at MacDonald's come from farms in Arizona or neighboring states, Binnion said.
To make sure the pumpkins stay fresh all season long, MacDonald's Ranch only puts some pumpkins out at a time, and keeps any pumpkins they aren't using in the shade and watered, Binnion said.
Binnion said she's kept pumpkins around — even in the Arizona heat — well into January. She said she does that by keeping her pumpkins inside and by keeping them out of direct sunlight.
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.