Lawrence-area Charlie Browns take note: The Great Pumpkin may not be so great this year.

With a dismal crop in their fields, growers Friday were encouraging shoppers to come early if they want a locally grown gourd.

At Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch, 1791 N. 1500 Road, Janet Schaake said the crop was the worst in her farm’s 28 years.

“I would say that we definitely lost 50 percent of the patch,” she said of the 25 acres the family planted.

Growers blame the summer’s extreme heat.

“They can stand dry weather, but they can’t stand the heat,” said Mike Garrett, a Linwood grower who sells pumpkins at a stand just south of the Lawrence Municipal Airport. “That two weeks of 100-degree weather really hurt them.”

Garrett said he planted 12 acres of pumpkins he typically would expect to yield about 250,000 pounds. This year he’ll harvest only a quarter of that.

“It is enough to break even, but it is not enough to satisfy the public,” Garrett said. “The public likes a lot of pumpkins. I would suggest that they shop early this year.”

One area grower, Strong’s Farm, 1919 N. 1500 Road, won’t even open this year, but it’s not because of the weather. A virus destroyed about 90 percent of its pumpkin patch, owner Richard Strong said. He’s looking forward to trying again next year.

Rick Holleran, left, and Andy Klebenstein, both of Lawrence, load pumpkins at Free State Farm & Pumpkin Patch, 1431 N. 1900 Road. The employees prepared Friday to begin selling the pumpkins today. Area pumpkin patch owners said the heat made the crop one of the worst in decades.

Despite the problems, Lawrence residents should be able to find a pumpkin for traditional fall decorating.

Rob Phillips, owner of Free State Farm & Pumpkin Patch, 1431 N. 1900 Road, said he would import pumpkins from other areas of the country to make up for shortages.

The pumpkins at most supermarkets also are imported.

Bob McMullen, produce manager at Hy-Vee Food & Drug Store, 4000 W. Sixth St., said Hy-Vee was among the stores that import pumpkins.

At least a couple of the growers were not going to let the disappointing pumpkin crop spoil their fall season. They were looking forward to making a profit by helping educate youngsters.

Schaake’s and Free State Farm & Pumpkin Patch offer wagon rides, petting zoos, corn mazes and other forms of “agri-entertainment.”

“We have expanded beyond just a pumpkin patch,” Phillips said. “We’re a family-oriented outdoor agriculture experience with the word fun sprinkled all throughout.”

Free State and Schaake’s are major attractions for school field trips. Phillips estimated his business would attract 150 school buses before Halloween, and Schaake devotes an entire field to school trips.

“We just hope to provide family entertainment and give them a view of agriculture,” Schaake said of the business, which was started as a 4-H project by her children. “A lot of people really don’t know what a pumpkin looks like on the vine. Hopefully, it is a learning experience with a little fun mixed in.”

Most of the area patches are open daily until Halloween. Prices vary, ranging from 20 cents per pound to 40 cents per pound.