Halloween is right around the corner, but fewer jack-o'-lanterns may be showing their faces this year.
In late August, Hurricane Irene damaged fields in the Northeast, and the destruction has some people worried there will be a pumpkin shortage, according to the Associated Press.
Farmers in the region export their pumpkins to businesses across the United States, including Florida.
Pumpkins are difficult to grow in Florida but not impossible, said Douglas Gergela, a UF research coordinator who has studied pumpkin growth in Florida.
Gergela said it takes 70 to 100 days to grow pumpkins in Florida, and it takes 90 to 120 days to grow pumpkins in the Northeast.
Gergela said the cooler temperatures in the Northeast increase the yield and size of the pumpkins, making them better for the Halloween season.
Despite fears of a pumpkin shortage, three local pumpkin patches do not expect to have a problem this October.
Darlene McElwee, owner of Magnolia Farms in Live Oak, said business had been normal until media outlets started reporting a shortage.
"We've been wildly busy, and all of the sudden the phones stopped," McElwee said.
McElwee receives her pumpkins from a farmer in Missouri. She said the farm did experience a loss in pumpkins, but its owners still have plenty to sell.
Both the First United Methodist Church of Alachua and Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville receive their pumpkins from New Mexico. They are expecting bigger pumpkins than usual.
"We haven't heard anything different," said Susan Horne, the missions director assistant at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Ave.
She said the church expects to receive the usual number of pumpkins for its annual pumpkin patch. The first shipment of pumpkins will arrive Sept. 30.
Pat Harrell, the secretary at the First United Methodist Church of Alachua, 14805 NW 14th St., said the church receives about 200 pumpkins each year.
Last year, Anca Vlasan, a 19-year-old English sophomore, decorated a Gator-themed pumpkin with her roommates for Halloween.
She is not worried about finding a pumpkin this year.
"We just get a small pumpkin, nothing too big," Vlasan said. "I'm sure we'll be able to find a cheap one this year, too."
Aerospace engineering sophomore Paula Pluchino, 19, says she will purchase a pumpkin this year but will downgrade to a smaller one if the prices are a lot higher.
"It's a good idea to continue buying what pumpkins there are to support the farmers," Pluchino said.
The pumpkins patches at the Trinity United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church open Oct. 1. The pumpkin patch at Magnolia Farms will open Oct. 8, and coupons are available at fun4gatorkids.com to receive a $2 discount off admission.
"Let's have a nice fall season here," McElwee said. "We don't have much to be happy about as is. Let's continue to do business and not be fearful."
