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 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.
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
- SpookMaster Seattle Seahawks pumpkin carving patterns
- MLB Mariners Halloween Pumpkin 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.
2020 Pumpkin Patches in the Puget Sound region
Many u-pick pumpkin patches open the first weekend of October.
Safety measures are in place, such as face masks and social distancing, as well as other requirements such as credit cards only or advance purchase admission tickets.
Before you head out, be sure to visit the farm’s website to confirm details such as whether tickets are needed, operating hours, methods of payment, where to park, what to bring (if anything), and other information.
( Listed alphabetically by city)
Biringer’s Black Crow Pumkins in Arlington, WA. Open daily.
Foster’s Pumpkin Farm in Arlington, WA. Closed for the 2020 season.
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. More info: https://www.facebook.com/Bainbridge-Island-Farms-540307349350949/
Maris Farms in Buckley, WA. Open daily. Advance purchase tickets required $14-$16. Includes 20+ attractions (Corn Maze, Wagon Ride, Kiddie Cow Train, Ziplines, Animal Barn, and more! Pumpkins be available beginning September 26th.
Jubilee Farm in Carnation, WA. Open weekends.
Oxbow Farm in Carnation, WA. No admission charge. New location for 2020. Open weekends beginning Oct 3 from 10am-4pm. More info: https://www.facebook.com/OxbowCenter
Remlinger Farms in Carnation, WA. Open weekends.
Fairbank Farm in Edmonds, WA. Closed for the 2020 season.
Thomasson Family Farm in Enumclaw, WA. Open daily in October 9:30am – 5:30pm. If you are ONLY interested in visiting our u-pick pumpkin patch it is FREE admission! Our patch is also dog friendly (leash required), however that’s the only place dogs are allowed. Admission $9-$13 includes: corn maze, laser tag* (weekends only), tractor train & hay wagon rides, play area, animal viewing, and more!
Fox Hollow Farm in Issaquah, WA. Open Tuesday-Sunday.
Briscot Farm historic landmark in Kent. Open weekends.
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. 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).
Carleton Farm in Lake Stevens, WA. Open Daily. No admission charge. Working farm with a Farmers Market. The Market features Washington grown produce, cheeses, meats, dairy, and wine. Carleton Farm grows a variety of pumpkins, squash and corn, plus berries and other produce.
The Nursery at Mount Si in North Bend, WA. Open Daily.
Scholz Farm in Orting, WA. Open Daily.
Creek House Farm in Port Orchard, WA. Open weekends. 20+ varieties of organic heirloom pumpkins, plus family-fun activities and photo opportunities! Visits will be by appointment ONLY to allow for social distancing. Advance online ticket purchase required: $7.50 per person. Working farm and farmers market. They grow a variety of pumpkins, squash and corn, other vegetables, and berries. Their market features Washington grown produce, cheeses, meats, dairy, and wine. No Frills Pumpkin Patch, Animals, Market, Concessions, and Free Parking are all open to public at no charge. Fall Activities for additional charge (Corn Maze, Paintball Gallery, Apple Guns, Pumpkin Cannon, Hayride, Game Zone, Kids Bucket Train, and more).
Double R farms in Puyallup, WA. Open daily. Largest selection of pumpkins in the valley, including pie pumpkins, mini pumpkins, and painted gourds. FREE tractor pulled hay rides on the weekends (weather permitting). Additional activities for a fee: corn maze, pumpkin sling shot, concessions.
Picha Farms in Puyallup, WA. No admission charge. Open daily. Weekends — 10 am to 6 pm, Weekdays — 3 to 6 pm. Additional activities $1-$6: Corn Maze, Hayride, Slingshot, Kiddie Train. Dogs on leash allowed in pumpkin patch. Please note that dogs are not allowed in the corn maze or on the hayride.
Serres Farm in Redmond, WA. Open weekends, Saturday – Sunday 9AM to 7PM. 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, but no mention about prices on their website.
Craven Farm Inc. in Snohomish, WA. Open weekends in October 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. No admission charge. U-pick pumpkin patch and harvest market (pumpkins, squash, gourds). Optional paid activities $3-$8: corn maze, apple sling, duck race, and more. Unlimited wristbands $15-$20.
- Craven Farm Scarecrow making $30.
Stocker Farms in Snohomish, WA. Open daily. Fall Days advance purchase only admission $14-$20 (cheaper on weekday!). Featuring U-Pick ‘Em Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, plus 30+ farm fun attractions! Hand select your very own pumpkin, fresh off the vine in the 10-acre pumpkin patch featuring a variety of pumpkins in varying shapes, sizes, and colors.
- September 26-27: Butterfly Release at Stocker Farms add-on ticket: $9.95. Visit the Stocker Sunflower Fields and watch the sky fill with gorgeous butterflies! Reserve and release your very own butterfly. Release Times: 12pm and 3pm (weather permitting). Please pick up your butterfly by 11:45am for the 12pm release, or by 2:45pm for the 3pm release. Note: this is an add-on activity. *A Fall Weekend ticket ($20) is required to enter the farm.
Thomas Family Farm in Snohomish, WA. Open weekends. No admission to the Farm Store, Food Court, and Pumpkin Patch that includes 149 different varieties of pumpkins and over 140,000 to choose from! Additional activities, $6-$8 each or $18/day pass: Corn Maze, Apple Shots, Gem Mining, Paintball, and more.
- October 3-4: Grandparents Weekend annual opening event. Bring your grandparent(s) this weekend and receive 50% off all your pumpkins!
Old McDebbie’s Farm in Spanaway, WA. Open weekends.
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
