Where To Pick A Pumpkin Near Hopatcong, Sparta

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — Signs of fall are everywhere, from cooler nights and turning leaves, to pumpkin spice lattes and other products, and a sea of orange pumpkins in front of the grocery store.

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 porch, there are plenty of places to pick up a pumpkin nearby.

Sussex County Strawberry Farm, Andover

Sussex County Strawberry Farm opens its gates for Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins the first week in October. The farm features pumpkins grown on location, hayrides every weekend in October, fresh local apples, corn stalks, Indian corn, gourds, mums, fresh local cider, carving supplies. For more details, visit the farm website.

Donaldson Farm, Hackettstown

Activities include 9-acre corn maze, pick your own pumpkins, apples, Indian corn and raspberries, hay rides, corn cannon, duck races, farm animals and pony rides. The season kicks off Sept. 26. See their website: donaldsonfarms.net.

Ort Farms, Long Valley

Known for their large corn maze, you can pick your own pumpkins at this Long Valley favorite. There's also hayrides, an apple cannon, and monster truck and pony rides. They are open for the season now. Visit their website: www.ortfarms.com

Alstede Farms, Chester

This farm offers pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, potatoes, and more. Apple season starts in August and runs through the end of October; pumpkins start mid-September and wrap up around Halloween. There's also cider mill tours, a giant corn maze, and other family-friendly fall activities. Visit their website: www.alstedefarms.com

Parks Farm, Chester

Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, and enjoy free hayrides. They also offer fresh cider donuts, winter squash, and decorations. Visit their website: www.parksfarmsllc.com

Riamede Farm, Chester

They offer pick-your-own apples and pumpkins at this farm. When you're done picking, they offer free hayrides. Apple picking is underway, but they suggest you call before visiting for a variety report. Visit their website: www.riamede.com

Stony Hill Farm Market, Chester

In addition to pumpkins and apples, you can also pick-your-own strawberries at this farm. There's a corn maze, rope maze, and tile maze, plus gemstone mining. Visit their website: www.stonyhillgardens.com

Middle Valley Farms, Mendham

Enjoy pick-your-own pumpkins and gourds, a corn maze, hayrides and more at this Mendham farm. Visit their website: www.middlevalleyfarms.com

Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill, Chester

Right in historic, Downtown Chester, you can pick-your-own pumpkins and apples at this farm, and enjoy their cider donuts. There's also a corn maze for the adventurous. They're open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Their hours usually shift in December, and they close before Christmas. Visit their website: www.njcidermill.com

Bader Farm, Pine Brook

Starting in September, you can pick your own pumpkins, apples, broccoli and more at this family farm. If you miss the fall fun, they also offer Christmas trees and poinsettias after Thanksgiving. Visit their website: www.baderfarm.com

Conklin Farm U-Pick, Montville

In addition to pick-your-own pumpkins, the farm offers hayrides (both haunted and not), a snack stand with warm homemade donuts, and a field of sunflowers. Visit their website: www.conklinupick.com

Wightman Farms, Morristown

Hayride, pick your own pumpkins (from hayride field), giant corn maze, Mazeland Mazes, apple picking, tote bag, picnic play area (corn pit and pedal tractors), donuts and pumpkin slingshot. See the website for tickets.

Did we forget your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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.