SANDPOINT — Twenty-five years ago, Ryan and Gina Cross met at a pumpkin patch, surrounded by the kind of fall scene that would later shape much of their lives together.  

At that time, the couple could not have known the place where they first met would lead to more than a cherished memory. Years later, after building a life around fall traditions and operating a pumpkin patch out of state, that beginning helped make their move to North Idaho feel like a natural next chapter. 

In a way, it seemed fitting. Using their prior experience with apple growing and pumpkin patches, the Crosses launched Bushel and a Peck Farm in Sandpoint.  

“Ryan and I just really enjoy people, and we love creating a fun place for people to visit with their kids, something that’s family-oriented and just a good place to make memories,” Gina said.  

As a testament to the family’s efforts, the Cross family was able to obtain equipment from the Hickey Farm, which held a Pumpkin Festival and corn maze through 2022, including bounce houses and a donut machine. Gina said their support felt almost like “giving us their blessing.” 

“The Hickey brothers saw our little banner in the summer, and they stopped by and said, 'Hey, you want to buy all our stuff? It was really sweet. It felt kind of special, almost like giving us their blessings,” Gina said.  

In its third year, the pumpkin patch has grown to utilize the Cross family’s six-acre parcel off U.S. Highway 200 and Shingle Mill Road, filling the space with home-grown pumpkins and activities for the whole family to enjoy.  

Participants can choose to ride on a cow train or take part in a classic hayride. Other activities such as a bounce house, gemstone mining and face painting are also available, with prices ranging from $3 to $10 per activity. VIP bracelets are offered for $25 each and give open access to kids to play in the bouncy house and one free activity.

Sticking true to its apple-rooted heritage, the pumpkin patch offers specialties like hot apple cider and cider pressing, festive autumn activities that give a nod to the Cross’ apple farming background. Coffee and donuts are also available to each pumpkin patch attendee.  

The farm’s name, A Bushel and a Peck Farm, gives special attribution to their family as well.  

“As former apple growers, we liked the song ‘A Bushel and a Peck.’ And our son would quote it often as a baby,” Gina said. “He would say, ‘I love you a bushel and a peck’ to me all the time when he was three, so that's what we named the farm after.” 

It’s the sweet memories and traditions intertwined throughout the pumpkin patch that make it special, inviting families to come back each year to partake in the familiar fall traditions of North Idaho.  

The patch will remain open for the remaining weekends of October, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with all activities open to the public. On Fridays, the patch will be open from noon to 5 p.m., with limited activities open.