Pick Of The Patch: Where To Find A Pumpkin Near Durham/Middlefield

DURHAM, CT — 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 Durham/Middlefield.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Lyman Orchards: Located at 105 South St. in Middlefield. The orchard is open for pick-your-own 9 a.m. to 5: 30 p.m. daily. The website says pumpkin season begins in late September.
• JC Farm: Located at 385 Wallingford Road in Durham. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Bishop's Orchards: Located at 1355 Boston Post Road in Guilford. The farm market is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. For pick-your-own, call 203-458-PICK for updates.
• Strawberry Hollow Farm: Located at 2171 on Boston Post Road in Guilford. The farm and shop are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
• Scott's Yankee Farmer: Located at 426 Boston Post Road in East Lyme. The store is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Scott's Yankee Farmer will also have pick-your-own hours for pumpkins.

And 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.