Decision rooted in soil care at Eccleston farm
The team behind Rainford’s Christmas Tree Land, a multi‑generation family business based at Catchdale Moss Farm in Eccleston, St. Helens, has announced it will not open a sunflower field this year. The update, shared on the farm’s social channels, explains the temporary change is part of routine crop rotation to preserve soil health on the working farm.
The farm, run by fifth‑generation farmer Richard Rainford, 65, has become known across Merseyside for selling home‑grown Christmas trees and staging seasonal attractions. While visitors will miss the sunflowers, the farm has confirmed that an autumn highlight remains in place.
“As a working farm, we rotate our crops to keep our soil healthy and productive. It’s an important part of sustainable farming, even if it does mean taking a break from some of our favourite flowers every now and then.”
Pumpkin Festival and Christmas trees still on the calendar
Organisers say the Pumpkin Festival is still scheduled to run from Saturday 26 September. Entry to the festival will be free; visitors will only pay for the pumpkins they select and for any optional activities. The event will include the farm’s café, photo opportunities and family activities alongside thousands of pumpkins to choose from.
After the autumn events, the farm will resume its primary seasonal trade: selling Christmas trees. In previous years the business has offered home‑grown Fraser Fir, Nordmann Fir and Norway Spruce. When last interviewed, Richard said the plantations contained in excess of 70,000 trees, with Christmas tree sales typically starting from 1 November.
What this means for locals and visitors
- Visitors who look forward to the sunflower fields will have to wait; organisers say they hope to bring them back in future seasons.
- The Pumpkin Festival remains an option for autumn family days out without an admission fee, keeping it accessible to local families.
- Longstanding Christmas tree sales are unaffected; the farm continues to market its home‑grown stock for the winter season.
The announcement underlines the balance farms in the St. Helens area must strike between public events and agricultural practice. Rotating crops is a standard method to avoid soil depletion and manage pests and disease; while it can disrupt popular attractions, it is intended to support the farm’s long‑term productivity.
Quick reference
| Event / Offer | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower field | Not opening this year | Crop rotation and soil health cited by farm |
| Pumpkin Festival | Going ahead | Starts 26 September; free entry, pay for pumpkins/activities |
| Christmas tree sales | Planned as usual | Home‑grown Fraser, Nordmann and Norway spruce; sales from 1 November in past years |
For residents of St. Helens, the update offers reassurance that the farm’s core offerings remain, even as it takes a seasonary break from one of its most photographed features. The decision reflects routine agricultural management rather than a permanent withdrawal of visitor attractions.
