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.
Puget Sound U-Pick Pumpkin Patches
Here is a selected list of u-pick pumpkin patches (and farm stands selling already picked pumpkins) throughout the Puget Sound region. They are listed alphabetically by city.
Many u-pick pumpkin patches open by the first weekend of October.
Be sure to visit the farm’s website before you head out to confirm information such as operating hours, methods of payment, where to park, and what to bring (if anything).
Biringer’s Black Crow Pumkins in Arlington, WA. Open Mon-Fri 11-6; Sat & Sun 10-6.
Foster’s Pumpkin Farm in Arlington, WA. Open Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Suyematsu Farms on Bainbridge Island, WA. Day Road Stand is open Monday and Wednesday from 9-2.
Maris Farms in Buckley, WA. Open daily 10 am to 6.
Jubilee Farm in Carnation, WA. Open 10:00-5:00 every Saturday and Sunday.
Oxbow Farm in Carnation, WA. Open Saturdays and Sundays; 10am to 5pm.
Remlinger Farms in Carnation, WA. Open 9:30am to 6pm.
Fairbank Farm in Edmonds, WA. Open: Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Admission to the pumpkin patch is $2 per person.
Thomasson Family Farm in Enumclaw, WA. Open daily 9:30am to 5:30pm.
Fox Hollow Farm in Issaquah, WA. Open Weekdays 9am to 5pm, Weekends 9am to 2pm.
Carpinito Brothers Farm in Kent, WA. Open Daily 9 am to Dusk.
Carleton Farm in Lake Stevens, WA. Open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Nursery at Mount Si in North Bend, WA. Open Daily 9 am to 5 pm, Weekends from 9 am to dusk.
Scholz Farm in Orting, WA. Open Daily 9am-6pm.
Creek House Farm in Port Orchard, WA. Open Fridays noon to 6pm, Saturdays 10am to 6pm, Sundays noon to 6pm.
Double R farms in Puyallup, WA. Open: Monday thru Friday 3-6pm; Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-6:00 pm.
Picha Farms in Puyallup, WA. Open Weekdays 3 to 6 pm and Weekends from 10 am to 6 pm.
Serres Farm in Redmond, WA. Open Monday to Friday, from 1 pm to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 9 am to 7 pm.
Craven Farm Inc. in Snohomish, WA. Open daily 9:30 to dark.
Stocker Farms in Snohomish, WA. Open: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Thomas Family Farm in Snohomish, WA. Open Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm.
Jim’s U-Fish at Old McDebbie’s Farm in Spanaway, WA. Open: Friday to Sunday 10am to 6pm.
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.
