At first I thought it was just me thinking that the pumpkins I saw at Trader Joe’s are smaller this year. But when I saw this report on CBS2’s local newscast last night, I realized I had my finger on the pulse of the pumpkin zeitgeist.

According to the report, even with water restrictions limiting irrigation of fields in southern California, farmers are picking them earlier anyway, saving money on watering. Prices are being kept at last year’s level.

In the report, Pete Hanson of Pete’s Pumpkin Patch in Camarillo says, “I don’t think big pumpkins are going to be a big pull. I think there are going to be more [buyers for] the smaller pumpkins, with economics and people not wanting to spend that much money for the bigger pumpkins.”

To see the report, follow this link and type “pumpkins” into the search window.