2024 Western Connecticut Pumpkin U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pumpkin U-Pick Orchards in Western Connecticut in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for pumpkins that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have pumpkins orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Fairfield County

• Blue Jay Orchards - apples, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
  125 Plumtrees Road, Bethel, CT 06801. Phone: 203-748-0119. Open: August to Thanksgiving 7 days a week from 9 am to 5:30 pm Pick Your Own Hours are 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm After Thanksgiving thru December 24th open Thursday thru Sunday 10 to 5:30 Pick your own apples is from late August to early November based on picking conditions Pumpkins start the last weekend of September and run through the month of October. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. August to Thanksgiving 7 days a week from 9 am to 5:30 pm Pick Your Own Hours are 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm After Thanksgiving thru December 24th open Thursday thru Sunday 10 to 5:30 Pick your own apples is from late August to early November (based on picking conditions) Pumpkins start the last weekend of September and run through the month of October. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch are weekends only Crops are usually available in August, September, October, November.
• Jones Family Farms Pumpkinseed Farm - Strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins, Christmas trees, winery
  120 Beardsley Road, Shelton, CT 06484. Phone: (203) 929-8425. Email: janet@jonesfamilyfarms.com. Open: Strawberries June; blueberries early July to mid-August, you need a reservation; Christmas trees starts weekend before Thanksgiving. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: (203) 929-2089. . Strawberries (June); blueberries (early July to mid-August, you need a reservation); Christmas trees (starts weekend before Thanksgiving. A 400-acre family farm since 1848. Berry picking is at the Valley Farm or Pumpkinseed Hill. Farm hours and harvest areas depend on weather and crop readiness. We have strawberry fields at our Pumpkinseed Hill and Valley Farm locations. Be sure to call the Farmer Jones Crop Line (203-929-8425) before leaving your home to come harvest. The Crop Line is updated daily during the berry seasons with hours and specific picking locations. Normal picking hours for strawberry season are 8am until 5:30pm Monday through Saturday and 8am until 12pm on Sundays, but be sure to call before you come because hours can change due to weather. A typical strawberry season runs from early June into early July - however, this is New England and days and times change as quickly as the weather does. For blueberry season the farm is typically open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am till 5:30pm and is closed Sundays and Mondays. A typical blueberry season runs from mid-July into late August. Once you find out when and where we are picking, visit our directions page and as you get closer, look for the Jones Strawberry signs pointing you to the correct location. Jones Family Farm Facebook page. A visitor writes on June 19, 2020: "$36 for a 10+ pound box that can be shared by 2 people "
• Jones Family Farms Valley Farm - Strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins, Christmas trees, winery
  555 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton, CT 06484. Phone: (203) 929-8425. Email: janet@jonesfamilyfarms.com. Open: Strawberries June; blueberries early July to mid-August, you need a reservation; Christmas trees starts weekend before Thanksgiving. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: (203) 929-2089. . Strawberries (June); blueberries (early July to mid-August, you need a reservation); Christmas trees (starts weekend before Thanksgiving. A 400-acre family farm since 1848. Berry picking is at the Valley Farm or Pumpkinseed Hill. Farm hours and harvest areas depend on weather and crop readiness. We have strawberry fields at our Pumpkinseed Hill and Valley Farm locations. Be sure to call the Farmer Jones Crop Line (203-929-8425) before leaving your home to come harvest. The Crop Line is updated daily during the berry seasons with hours and specific picking locations. Normal picking hours for strawberry season are 8am until 5:30pm Monday through Saturday and 8am until 12pm on Sundays, but be sure to call before you come because hours can change due to weather. A typical strawberry season runs from early June into early July - however, this is New England and days and times change as quickly as the weather does. For blueberry season the farm is typically open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am till 5:30pm and is closed Sundays and Mondays. A typical blueberry season runs from mid-July into late August. Once you find out when and where we are picking, visit our directions page and as you get closer, look for the Jones Strawberry signs pointing you to the correct location. Jones Family Farm Facebook page. A visitor writes on June 19, 2020: "$36 for a 10+ pound box that can be shared by 2 people "
• Warrups Farm - Vegetables, salad greens, garlic, herbs, flowers, peaches, pumpkins, maple syrup
  51 John Read Road, West Redding, CT 06896. Phone: (203) 938-9403. Email: info@warrupsfarm.com. Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10 am to 6 pm, July - October. Click here for a map and directions. . . Farm stand open Our family farm is protected by a conservation easement guaranteeing this farmland will never be developed. Please call to see what is available.

Litchfield County

• Bunnell Farm - PYO flowers, Pumpkins, hayrides, corn maze, tractor pulled hayrides
  498 Maple Street, Litchfield, CT 06759. Phone: (860) 567-9576. Email: bunnellfarm@yahoo.com. Click here for a map and directions. . PYO pumpkins, horse and tractor drawn hayrides (in the Fall), visit the farm animals and the corn maze. Facebook page.
• Deeply Rooted Farms - pumpkins, raspberries (red), strawberries, Other fruit or veg, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked
  Terryville Road (route 72), Harwinton, CT 06791. Phone: 860-921-3434. Email: info@deeplyrootedfarms.net. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . For Pumpkins: Friday/Saturday/Sunday. Late season Strawberry Crop (everbearing): July through October.
• Freund's Farm Market - - pumpkins, raspberries, flowers
  324 Norfolk Road, East Canaan, CT 06024. Phone: (860) 824-0650. Email: freunds@cttel.net. Open: pyo raspberries in August and pyo cut flowers in July and August. Click here for a map and directions. . Fax: . Contact form on their website. Or direct . Farm Market and Garden Center featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables, locally produced eggs, maple syrup & honey. Bakery & Ice Cream Scoop Shop on premises, plus 1,000's of plants and composted manure. Scheduled school tours for PYO pumpkins & popcorn.
• March Farm - apples, blueberries, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, pumpkins, Fresh eggs, corn maze, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem, CT 06751. Phone: (203) 266-7721. Email: marchfarms@marchfarms.com. Open: Thursday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm; closed on Monday to Wednesday; See our website for hours in November and December; PYO apples begins September 8th from 10-5pm with Macs, Cortlands, Honey crisp, Gala & Macouns near farm store ONLY. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, WIC Vouchers. . Fax: (203) 266-6076. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Hayloft Playscape, Animal Yard: May 25 to October 31; Corn Maze and Hayrides: September 4 to October 31; Pick Your Own Blueberries: July to September; Pick Your Own Peaches: Mid July to October; Pick Your Own Apples: September to November; Pick Your Own Pumpkins: October. Market & Bakery, Outings & Events, Weddings is a fourth generation family farm destination offering seasonal Pick Your Own berries & fruit along with family friendly activities. The Farm Store & Bakery is stocked with regional food specialties and fresh baked goods - everything you need to compliment your next meal or dessert. Facebook page. The rustically beautiful Pond Side Pines & Hill Top Orchard event spaces are perfect to host your next special occasion, outing or party no matter how small or large. Join us for our next Summer Concert and other special events
  Comments from a visitor on September 18, 2008: "Just wanted to write to tell you how much our family loves this farm! The family that runs it is wonderful! They also have a great play area for the children complete with giant pumpkins (great Fall photo opportunity), playhouse and pedal tractors/trikes and a track to ride on. Our kids love to come here and pick all of their wonderful produce and then take some time to play. Last year they had a informative corn maze as well. As you went through you learned about their family run farm. Great stuff!!!!"
• Ruwet Farm - blueberries, strawberries, pumpkins, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours
  East Pearl Road, Torrington, CT 06790. Phone: 860-866-6338. Email: ruwetfarm@yahoo.com. Open: October 1 to October 31; Fridays from 12 pm to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm; Columbus Day from 10 am to 3 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . June: Already picked & pick your strawberries. July-August: Already picked & pick your own blueberries. The BEST sweet corn & other fresh vegetables. September-October: Already picked & pick your own pumpkins. FREE hayride to pick you own pumpkins. Gourds, Indian corn, winter squash & much more for fall decorating. Market includes squash, corn stalks, indian corn, broom corn, apples and other fall decorations.
• Tonn's Orchard - PYO apples, pumpkins, peaches, Christmas trees
  270 Preston Road, Terryville, CT 06786. Phone: (860) 585-1372. Open: weekends & holidays & by appointment on weekdays. Click here for a map and directions. ask for Peter. PYO on Saturdays and Sundays, August - October, 12 noon 'til 5 pm. PYO apples & peaches in August to October. PYO pumpkins in October. Cut Your Own Christmas trees in Dec. Open

 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Do you want it for a party, decoration or eating?

For a wedding or party:

See this page: Finding pumpkins for weddings

Decoration to paint or carve:

OK, Then you need only look for any pumpkin that is

• visually appealing, evenly a deep orange. The shape is just whatever appeals to you. If it grew on its side and has a flat spot, you can either make that the make or use it as part of your design!
• free from cuts, soft spots, bruises. The flesh should feel hard, and not give easily. Infections can invade easily and cause rot
• Make sure the stem is attached.

Store it carefully, especially if you pick it from the vine yourself. Cure a fresh-picked pumpkin by keeping it in a dry place. Don't handle or disturb it. Curing toughens the rind, making it less prone to rot. Pumpkins will keep for months in a cool (50 F to 65F dry, low humidity environment; such as a cool, dry basement.

Tip: If you like roasted or baked pumpkin seeds, you can save the seeds from any pumpkin!

To make a pumpkin pie!

Then you need a small, sweet type of pumpkin that has been developed for eating. They are smaller, typically about 8" to 10" diameter. The meat is much less stringy and smoother than a decorative pumpkin variety. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and potassium. One-half cup of cooked pumpkin provides more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains only 81 calories. It's low in fat and sodium! Usually you can get these at the grocery store, and some of the pumpkin patches and farm stands have them. Be sure to tell them that you intend to use it for a pumpkin pie. Again, look for firm, no soft spots, or signs of any rot. See this page for easy, illustrated directions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin!

Varieties of Pumpkins

• Sugar - Excellent for baking
• Jack O'Lantern - most common for carving
• White Lumina - unusual, medium-sized white pumpkin
• Mini - Great for decoration
• Gourds - Many varieties, used for decorations

For a very complete, detailed list of many varieties of pumpkins and where to get the seeds, see this page!

Want to Grow Your Own Pumpkins?

Then see this page!

Pumpkin recipes

• How to prepare cooked pumpkin from a fresh pumpkin (for use in all the recipes)
• Illustrated instructions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin - the best pumpkin pie you will ever taste! (metric version for the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.)
• How to home-can pumpkin (in a cooked, cubed form) and why you shouldn't home-can the pureed forms.
• Traditional Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin Spice Muffins
• Pumpkin muffins
• Pumpkin Bread
• Pumpkin Butter!
• Pumpkin cheesecake - INCREDIBLE!!! You have to try this one!
• Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin soup - even if you normally aren't a soup lover; you will love this one.
• Butternut-Chestnut Panchetta-Bacon Soup - Pumpkin or Butternut squash combines with chestnuts and bacon, ham or panchetta in this great soup
• Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
• No Sugar Pumpkin Pie
• Apple Cider Doughnut Recipe (with maple glaze or sugar glaze)

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers