Pick Of The Patch: Where To Find A Pumpkin Near Martinez

MARTINEZ, CA — It’s that time of year again. Pumpkin products are popping up on shelves and the pumpkin spice latte is back on drink menus nationwide.

But maybe you want the real deal — an actual pumpkin — in your home this season. Whether you’re planning to bake a pie, carve a jack-o’-lantern or just add some festive flair to your stoop, there are plenty of places to pick up a pumpkin near Martinez.

Here are a few East Bay suggestions:

ALAMEDA: Sept 23 - Oct. 31: Speer Family Farms Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch. 10 a.m to 10 p.m. daily. 510-705-2352

BRENTWOOD: Sept. 24-Oct. 31. Smith Family Farms. Pick your own pumpkins, pomegranates and persimmons. The farm stand also sells summer and fall produce such as strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, apples and butternut squash.

BRENTWOOD: Sept 17-Oct. 31: Three Nunns Farm. U-pick pumpkins, corn maze and tractor rides.

CONCORD: OCT. 1-31: ABC Pumpkin Patch - Inflatables & Paint Ball. "There will be many different inflatables to choose from. Your children won’t know where to start."

DUBLIN: OCT. 22: Floating Pumpkin Patch: The Wave. "Register before Oct. 20 in order to guarantee pumpkin availability!"

FREMONT: SEPT. 24- OCT. 31: ABC Pumpkin Patch - Inflatables, Paint Ball & Duck Boats. At the Fremont Hub Shopping Center.

LIVERMORE: OCT. 1-31: G&M Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy pony rides, hayrides & cow train.

LIVERMORE: OCT 1-30: Joan's Farm & Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy a hay bale maze, pumpkin bowling, little blue train, feed the farm animals, large inflatable slide, Old West Town, old farm equipment museum, picnic areas, snack shack, sweets & treats.

PLEASANT HILL: OCT. 9: Halloween Pumpkin Splash: Aquatic Park. Book reservations.

RICHMOND: SEPT. 24-OCT. 31: ABC Pumpkin Patch - Inflatables & Paint Ball. Pick a pumpkin & stay for the amusement activities.

SAN LORENZO: SEPT. 24 - OCT. 31: ABC Pumpkin Patch - Inflatables & Paint Ball. "Come pick the perfect pumpkin and let your children jump and play!"

WALNUT CREEK: OCT 1-31: Shadelands Pumpkin Patch. 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road. Pumpkins and gourds for sale along with straw bales, cornstalks and carving tools. Variety of activities, attractions and snacks.

(Did we miss your favorite pumpkin patch or farm? Email susan.schena@patch.com to be included.)

Pumpkin carving

If your pumpkin is destined for a starring role on Halloween night, here's our guide to carving a perfect jack-o’-lantern. Warren Nash on YouTube also shows a step-by-step process to make the perfect carve.

Materials

Pumpkin carving kits will go a long way in getting what you need. They typically include saws, a scooper, a drill and multiple patterns.

If you're looking for the items individually around the house, here's what you could use:

• Pumpkin. Unless you have a pumpkin-growing operation in the backyard, you'll need to pick out one you like from your local pumpkin patch or a store. Make sure it looks sturdy and clean. Remember, this is the pumpkin that will be front and center on the porch for the Halloween season.
• Curved boning knife, or serrated knife from the kitchen.
• Ice cream scooper or scraper
• Paper
• Pencil or pen
• Candle or battery-operated light
• Lighter

Steps

1. Cut it: If cutting from the top of the pumpkin, make sure to do it on an inward angle so the top won't drop inside the pumpkin when you put it back on. Michael Natiello, creative director for The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze, said it's better to cut the pumpkin from the bottom, in a series of pumpkin carving tips from Good Housekeeping. That helps prevent the sides from caving in later.
2. Gut it: Use the ice cream scoop, or your hands, to remove all the seeds and other debris from inside the pumpkin. Do a thorough cleaning and make sure nothing is left sticking to the sides.
3. Trace it: Draw your design on a piece of paper before putting it on the pumpkin itself. That way, it is easier to trace the design onto the pumpkin.
4. Make the cuts: Cut out the design. Natiello said to use a fork or pencil to poke holes around the lines. When cutting, get the big pieces of pumpkin out first and clean up the edges later.
5. Light it: Light the pumpkin with a battery-operated light or candle in a holder, place it in the pumpkin then admire your work.