We are in the peak of pumpkin season — there’s absolutely no outrunning pumpkin-flavored everything, be it coffee or baked goods or non-food items like candles and soaps. But enough about pumpkin-flavored things and more about just pumpkins. They make for great seasonal decorations and great holiday activities from carving to cooking to picking. Pumpkin picking is a classic fall activity, perfect for a free Saturday afternoon. For me, it was a childhood tradition to head to the farm every October to choose the pumpkin we’d carve for Halloween. So whether you’re new to picking pumpkins or you’ve been doing it for years, here’s your guide to going pumpkin picking this year.
Where to go to pick pumpkins
Sure, you could head over to Walmart and pick up a pumpkin. But where’s the fun in that? Not only is going to pick your own pumpkins a fun and festive activity in the spirit of the fall season, but it’s also a way to support local farms. So hop online and search up pumpkin picking near you. Sometimes farms will have whole fall-themed events with activities and such to do in addition to pumpkin picking, like corn mazes or hayrides or food stands, so you could easily make a whole day out of the adventure.
What to bring/wear to pick pumpkins
Look, pumpkin picking is a great time, but it’s not exactly glamorous. You’re likely going to be trudging across fields as you scope out your ideal pumpkin(s). It’s best to wear closed-toed shoes (preferably some you don’t mind getting dirty) and pants. It may also be wise to slather on some sunscreen as fields aren’t generally shaded and you could be under the sun for a while. To that point, hats and sunglasses are great too, as is bug spray.
Make sure to bring a bag to carry your essentials — and potentially your pumpkins if you don’t think you can or want to carry them — and pack water and maybe a snack. And lastly, bring friends! Why pick pumpkins alone when you can pick them with friends?
What to look for while picking pumpkins
Are you looking for decorative pumpkins or ones you want to carve or use for cooking? That matters! For carving, you’re going to want pumpkins on the bigger side, with flat or at least smooth sides because you want a good surface area for carving. Heavy pumpkins are ideal. Basically, you want that classic big orange pumpkin.
If you’re looking to chef it up with your pumpkins, you’re going to want the exact opposite of a carving pumpkin. Small pumpkins (also called sugar pumpkins), ideally with no damage, are going to be the way to go.
For decorative pumpkins, the sky’s the limit! Any shape or color will do — whatever makes you happy. In years past, I’ve brought home orange pumpkins as well as white, blue, and even pink pumpkins.
What to do with the pumpkins after picking
If you want to pick pumpkins but aren’t sure what to actually do with them afterward, don’t worry — there are plenty of options. Option 1 is to simply leave them out as decoration. Pumpkin carving is not as easy as it looks and maybe you don’t want to (or don’t have the time to) sink hours upon hours into carving or cooking. Well that’s OK because pumpkins make great fall decor. Sometimes patches will even have gourds you can grab if you want some variation. Stick them on your stoop and just enjoy them every time you come and go from home.
But of course, tis’ the season for pumpkin carving with Halloween right around the corner. So if you’re looking for a festive activity with a reward of Halloween decor, grab some tools and a stencil and get to carving. It’s double the fun when you carve with friends, so maybe make a night out of it with snacks and drinks.
Now, if you’re carving, you’re going to have guts (seeds) left over, which you can cook up into a crunchy, sweet or savory fall snack. But it’s not just the seeds that pumpkins are good for, cooking-wise. You can totally cut up your pumpkin and bake it or purée it to make all kinds of pumpkin recipes in true farm-to-table fashion.
There are so many things to do with pumpkins, but first you have to actually get the pumpkins. So pick a farm and start your hunt for the perfect pumpkin. Happy hunting!