Where To Pick Pumpkins Near Middletown This Fall

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Heading out to a patch or field to pick the best or biggest pumpkin isn’t just about finding the perfect Halloween jack-o-lantern. It’s a seasonal activity blending nature, tradition and community, and there are several places around Middletown to create lasting memories with family and friends.

Many pumpkin patches and fields offer complementary activities like hay rides, corn mazes and games for the kids. Picking your own pumpkin also is a good way to support the local farmers who grow them.

Whether you plan to 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 Middletown. Here are a few of our favorites:

Eastmont Orchards, 321 Route 537 Colts Neck, NJ 07722

• Open daily for pumpkin picking
• https://eastmontorchards.com/

Happy Day Farm, 106 Iron Ore Rd, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726

• They will reopen Sept. 13 for their Fall Festival: Lainey Wilson themed corn maze, tractor rides, sunflowers, zinnias and pumpkinville (our pumpkin houses, installations and photo ops). $22 per person (includes NJ sales tax). Cash only.
• On weekends in September and October, they offer more activities for a higher fee: Animal zoo, corn box, U.S. Army's 250th Anniversary corn maze, corn tunnel, fun slide, hi-striker, horse lasso, horse swings, pedal carts, pig races, pirate ship, tetherball, tire mountain, tug-o-war, etc.
• Farm market selling baked goods and more

Battleview Orchards: 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold, NJ 07728

• Open every day except Tuesdays from 9 - 5 p.m.
• Family-run farm where you can pick your own peaches, nectarines, apples and pumpkins
• Country store selling apple cider donuts, apple cider and more
• https://www.facebook.com/bvorc...

Giamerese Farm, 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

• They are running Fall Harvest weekends through November

• Hayrides
• Corn Maze
• Sunflower Field
• Pony rides and petting zoo
• Food vendors selling hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, ice cream and kettle corn. Visit their farm market for fresh produce, Our Own Sweet Corn, local honey, fruit spreads, baked goods, fall and Halloween decorations, and much more.
• http://www.giamaresefarm.com
• Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays

In northwest New Jersey:

Mountain Creek’s 41st annual Oktoberfest: Every weekend through November 2 with the third annual Fall Fest, featuring scenic sky rides, Alpine Mountain Coaster rides, live music, guided hikes, giant lawn games, and seasonal snacks — all with unbeatable views of fall foliage in the Vernon Valley.

Event Highlights:

• 10+ German & domestic beers, wine tents & a Biergarten
• Authentic German food + unique eats like Wild Boar Tacos, Duck Drumettes & Alligator Nuggets
• Live music & family-friendly entertainment
• Free scenic sky rides + Mountain Coaster & Zip Tours
• Pumpkin shopping, games & guided hikes
• VIP Oktoberfest packages available for elevated experiences

Heavenly Hill Farm, 451 NJ-94, Vernon Township, NJ 07462

• Hosting their Great Pumpkin Festival Sept. 13 - Nov. 2
• https://heavenhillfarm.com/our...
• Included with admission: They have a very big corn maze for older kids, teens and adults and a smaller maze for toddlers. Enjoy a scenic hayride to the pumpkin patch, navigate the whimsical “Alice in Wonderland” themed corn maze, interact with farm animals, cheer on the pig races, watch the Canine Dog Show, ride pedal cars and touring cars, try out the giant slingshot, climb the giant straw pyramid, explore the Boo Barn, and test your skills at the Baseball Speed Throw — plus so much more!
• They also have the Apple Cannon, Paintball Range, Gem Mining, Wine Tasting, a variety of food vendors, and their famous apple cider donuts. Wide selection of pumpkins, gourds, mums, and more

Keep in mind that carving and baking pumpkins aren’t the same. The former are grown in fields to be large, more vibrantly colored, and relatively hollow. The watery flesh doesn’t have the same flavor found in baking pumpkins, which tend to be smaller, have thicker, harder-to-carve walls and sweeter flesh. For those, you’ll probably need to head to the grocery store.

Pumpkins for carving should appear sturdy and clean. Remember, this is the pumpkin that will be front and center on the porch for the Halloween season. Here are some tips for carving a perfect jack-o’-lantern from Warren Nash on YouTube, who shows a step-by-step process to make the perfect carve.

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:

• Curved boning knife, or serrated knife from the kitchen
• Ice cream scoop 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, and step back and admire your work.