KELP’ S continued from 17
“ We work a lot,” she said. That has cut into any free time she has, and one of the things she misses most is being able to hunt wild mushrooms in early spring.
In previous years, the fall season included a festival with family activities available and the making of sorghum syrup. Some of those activities ended in 2020 with the coronavirus epidemic. But the pumpkin patch always remained and will be much the same this year as it was in previous years.
When the garden center is unmanned, there are money boxes customers can use after browsing what’ s available. And though she knows there are times when things have disappeared without being paid for, she trusts people to be honest.
One of the biggest challenges for the pumpkin patch is keeping deer from taking a bite or two out of a pumpkin then moving on to the next one. Lately, groundhogs have caused similar problems. Peggy says she has found no good solution to keeping the wildlife from claiming a share of the crop. And as with
photos courtesy of Kelp’ s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch
18 Our Brown County • Sept./ Oct. 2026 any farming endeavor, weather plays a big part in the annual success.
But Peggy doesn’ t feel a competition with other greenhouses in the area.
“ I have my customers and they have theirs,” she said.“ I don’ t try to be in competition with anyone. I’ m just trying to have my own business.”
Both the Kelp and the Smith families have lived in Brown County for generations. And Peggy doesn’ t like change, so the pumpkin patch and the home by Indiana 46 continue to hold a place in her heart.
“ We’ ll never sell this place,” she said.“ Brown County is quiet. It’ s a place you feel safe and you want to call home.”
Kelp’ s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch at 6573 Indiana 46 is open 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. every day in September and October. The greenhouses are open 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. every day during the spring and summer seasons. For more information, call 812- 988-4804 or visit its Facebook page. •