Below, we provide links to pumpkin patches and farm stands selling picked pumpkins in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area around the Puget Sound region.
Some pumpkin patches are working farms, where you might be able to enjoy related activities, such as take a hay ride out into the field or make your way through a corn field maze. Some locations are u-pick fields and some are simple roadside stands offering a variety of pumpkins, winter squash, and other seasonal produce. Others are more elaborate farm stores offering Halloween goods and décor along with pumpkins.
One thing they all have in common is loads of pumpkins in all sizes and shapes. All are open weekends in October, a few open earlier. Some locations are open weekends only, others during the week. Check their website for details before you head out.
Visiting a pumpkin patch makes a great seasonal outing – DepositPhotos.com
History of jack-o’-lanterns
The idea of jack-o-lanterns—carved out and lighted pumpkins—can be traced to an Irish folktale about a drunkard and a grifter named Stingy Jack. As the story goes, Jack managed to cheat the Devil himself, not once but twice. (There’s more to the story involving coins, trees, and crosses, but they’re not important to your understanding of Halloween pumpkins.)
When Jack finally died, his nefarious nature barred him from entering heaven. Nor, as it turns out, from hell—due to his successful bargains with the Devil. Having no place to go, Satan gave him an ember from hell, which Jack placed into a carved out turnip. He wanders earth to this day, with no final place to rest.
“Jack-o’-lantern” has also been used to describe any strange light flickering over bogs, swamps, or marshes. The light is said to recede if approached, drawing travelers from a safe path and to some unfortunate end.
In English folklore, the concept is known as a “will-o’-the-wisp.” The term comes from “wisp”, a bundle of sticks or paper sometimes used as a torch. And someone named “Will”. Therefore, the phrase means “Will-of-the-torch” and is found in many English folk-tales. In these stories, the protagonists—named either Will or Jack—are doomed to haunt the marshes with a light.
So, in Ireland, England, and Scotland, people made “Jack’s lanterns” by carving scary faces into turnips, potatoes, or beets to place on window sills or in doorways to frighten away evil spirits. This tradition was brought by immigrants to America, who found that native pumpkins were easy to carve and make the most splendid jack-o’-lanterns.
Mother and son carving a pumpkin into a Jack-o-Lantern – DepositPhotos.com
How to carve a pumpkin
Here are some simple instructions for creating a jack-o-lantern:
- Cut off the top of the pumpkin to form a lid; cut at a 45-degree angle so the lid sits atop the pumpkin (rather than slip down inside it).
- Scoop the pumpkin flesh and seeds out. The flesh is usually discard from carving pumpkins. The seeds may be rinsed, roasted, and salted for a snack.
- Carve an image into the side of the pumpkin—either a monstrous or comical face, or other design, is carved into the rind.
- To create the lantern effect, place a light source such as votive candle (or today, an LED light) inside the pumpkin.
For something more elaborate, check out the following links for pumpkin carving templates, patterns, and stencils, plus no-carve decorating ideas.
Pumpkin Carving Templates, Patterns & Stencils
- HGTV Beginner Halloween Pumpkin-Carving Patterns
- StoneyKins 10,000 Pumpkin Carving Patterns and Stencils
- DLTK’s Crafts for Kids Pumpkin Carving Patterns
- Seattle Seahawks-themed pumpkin carving patterns
- MLB Mariners Halloween Pumpkin Stencils
- University of Washington Pumpkin Carving Stencils
No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
- RealSimple: Creative No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas That Are as Good as Any Jack-O’-Lantern
- BuzzFeed Nifty YouTube video: No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
- Parenting Special Needs: Easy No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Puget Sound U-Pick Pumpkin Patches
Pumpkins are one of the easiest crops to u pick, even for tiny hands. – DepositPhotos.om
Here is a selected list of u-pick pumpkin patches (and farm stands selling already picked pumpkins) throughout the Puget Sound region.
2021 Pumpkin Patches in the Puget Sound region
All pumpkin patches are open Saturday-Sunday in October. Some are open Friday and several are open daily. Most u-pick and farm stands are free to visit; pumpkins are typically priced by the pound. Many farms offer other activities (corn mazes, rides, etc.) for a fee. Some activities may required advance purchase and timed entry.
Before you head out, be sure to visit the farm’s website to confirm details such as whether tickets are needed, methods of payment, where to park, what to bring (if anything), and other details. Be prepared to be flexible and courteous if weather or other conditions require a change in your plans. These are all working family farms.
( Listed alphabetically by city or location)
Biringer’s Black Crow Pumpkins & Corn Maze in Arlington, WA. Open daily.
Suyematsu Farms on Bainbridge Island, WA. No admission charge. Day Road Stand is open Weekdays 1:00-6:00, Sat and Sun 10:00 – 5:00. EVERONE must wear masks and honor social distancing! No dogs allowed in the Patch.
Maris Farms in Buckley, WA. Open daily. Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch & Haunted Woods: Laughter by Day, Screams by Night! Advance purchase tickets required, which include many attractions (Corn Maze, Wagon Ride, Kiddie Cow Train, Ziplines, Animal Barn, and more).
Jubilee Farm in Carnation, WA. Open weekends in October. Free admission, free hay rides to the pumpkin patch, & free parking.
Oxbow Farm in Carnation, WA. Open weekends in October. More info: https://www.facebook.com/OxbowCenter
Remlinger Farms in Carnation, WA. Pumpkin U-Pick, Fall Festival, Hayride & Corn Maze. Pre-picked and u-pick pumpkins. Check their calendar for hours and prices.
Fairbank Farm in Edmonds, WA. Acres of pumpkins of all varieties. Admission fee. Cash only. Open weekends in October.
Thomasson Family Farm in Enumclaw, WA. Open daily in October. If you are ONLY interested in u-pick pumpkins, admission is FREE. Admission weekday/weekend $10/$15 includes many attractions.
Fox Hollow Farm in Issaquah, WA. Check their calendar for hours and prices.
Briscot Farm historic landmark in Kent. Check their Facebook page for details.
Carpinito Brothers Farm in Kent, WA. Open Daily. $5 admission applied to pumpkin purchase. Mount Rainier serves as a beautiful backdrop for Carpinito’s beautiful Kent Valley pumpkin patch (27508 W Valley Hwy N, Kent, WA 98032). Throughout the farm, you’ll encounter a sea of pumpkins & plenty of photo inspiration. No pets please. Additional attractions $5-$11 (corn maze, hay ride, farm yard). You can also visit the farm stand in Kent (1148 Central Ave N, Kent, WA 98032).
Carleton Farm in Lake Stevens, WA. No Frills Pumpkin Patch, Animals, Market, Concessions, and Free Parking are all open to public at no charge. Many other ticketed activities available.
Creek House Farm in Port Orchard, WA. Visits by appointment only. Guests can select pumpkins from the field or the farm stand. Multiple family-fun activities across the farm and many opportunities for photos.
Double R farms in Puyallup, WA. The farm features a 5-acre corn maze and the largest selection of pumpkins in the valley. Come try your hand at one of three pumpkin slingshots. Enjoy FREE tractor pulled hay rides on the weekends (weather permitting). In the 80-year-old barn you will find decorative gourds, cornstalks, mini pumpkins, and edible squash. Plus live animals for the kids to see.
Picha Farms in Puyallup, WA. Over 25 varieties of pumpkins to choose from and over 9-acres to search and find your perfect pumpkin. Ticketed attractions also available.
Serres Farm in Redmond, WA. Wide range of pumpkins from tiny Jack be Littles, White Luminas, Red French, to giant Atlantic Giants in the field where they grow for your choosing. Additional activities available.
Craven Farm Inc. in Snohomish, WA. 20 acres of pumpkins, 15-acre corn maze, plus many other activities.
Stocker Farms in Snohomish, WA. 10-acre U-Pick Pumpkin Patch and iconic Corn Maze, plus many other farm fun attractions.
Thomas Family Farm in Snohomish, WA. Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze. 149 different varieties of pumpkins with over 140,000 to choose from.
More Seattle, Island, and north Puget Sound Pumpkin patches
Find more pumpkin Patches in Seattle, King County, Island Kitsap, and Snohomish counties. This page lists pumpkin patches, farm stands, corn mazes, hay rides, and more in northwest Washington. Also see these reviews on Yelp for Seattle area pumpkin patches.
More Tacoma and south Puget Sound Pumpkin patches
Find more pumpkin patches for Tacoma and surrounding counties: This page lists pumpkin patches, farm stands, corn mazes, hay rides, and more in southwest Washington, including Pierce County, plus Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties. Also see these reviews on Yelp for Tacoma area pumpkin patches.
Father and daughter carving Halloween jack-lanterns – DepositPhotos.com
