Where to find u-pick pumpkin patches and farm stands

Below, we provide links to lists of pumpkin patches (and farm stands selling picked pumpkins) in Seattle, Tacoma, and around the Puget Sound region.

Some pumpkin patches are working farms, where you might take a hay ride out into the field or enjoy related activities. Other locations are elaborate farm stands with pumpkins and other Halloween goods. And some are simple roadside stands.

All of these locations have loads of pumpkins of all sizes and shapes. All are open weekends in October. Some locations are open during the week. Check their website for details before you head out.

History of jack-o’-lanterns

The idea of Halloween jack-o-lanterns–carved out and lighted pumpkins–began with an Irish folktale about a drunkard and a grifter named Stingy Jack. 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, and as it turns out, from hell either, due to his successful bargains with the Devil. However, 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.

The concept is also known as a “will-o’-the-wisp” in English folklore. The term “will-o’-the-wisp” comes from “wisp”, a bundle of sticks or paper sometimes used as a torch, and the someone named “Will”. Therefore, “Will-of-the-torch”.

Theses names are found in many English folk-tales. In these tales, protagonists named either Will or Jack are doomed to haunt the marshes with a light.

In Ireland, Scotland, and England, people began to make “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.

How to create a jack-o’-lantern

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 more details, see our list of Free pumpkin carving instructions and templates.