It’s that time of year again! With fall starting this past Saturday and Halloween approaching, going out to a pumpkin patch or to an orchard to pick pumpkins, is a fun filled rite of the season.
Depending on the unpredictable fall weather throw on some jeans, a t-shirt, grab a sweater and some boots or sneakers and head to one of these locations in and around Meriden to grab some pumpkins.
High Hill Orchard: A small family farm located at 170 Fleming Rd. in Meriden.High Hill offers an array of fruits and vegetables, fresh cider, flowers and herbs — as well as the opportunity to grab some pumpkins.
While they do not have a field just for pumpkin picking, stop by the farmstand and take your pick.
Stop by now through the end of October.
Wayne Young, owner of High Hill Orchard, sets up his pumpkin stand in September 2022. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
The farm store is open Tuesday-Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and closed Mondays
Phone: (203) 294-0276
Blue Hills Orchard: A large 300 acre orchard family-run farm located at 141 Blue Hills Road in Wallingford. They offer an array of fruits including apples, pears, peaches, plums and nectarines. They also offer an opportunity to pick-your-own pumpkin.
To maintain a safe number of pickers in the field for social distancing check-in to claim your spot on the wagon which will bring you down to the designated picking area and bring you back.
Stop by now through the end of October.
Sunday rides are at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
They are open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and closed Monday-Friday.
Phone: (203) 269-3189
Old Bishop Farm: A small orchard at 500 S. Meriden Road in Cheshire.Bishop offers an array of fruits and vegetables, donuts, pies, fresh cider and icecream all made fresh.
They also offer an opportunity to grab some pumpkins. While they do not have a field just for pumpkin picking, stop by the front of the farmstand and take your pick.
Wells Rome, 1, of Cheshire, helps his mother Carly Rome and grandmother Fran Leventhal find the perfect pumpkin at Old Bishop Farms in 2021. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
Stop by now through the end of October.
They are open Wednesday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone: 203-439-0783
Norton Brothers Fruit Farm: A family farm located at 466 Academy Road in Cheshire. They offer an array of fruits including apples, strawberries, peaches, pears, and blueberries, cider, fresh and frozen pies, flowers, hay and more.
They also offer an opportunity to pick-your-own pumpkins. While they are not growing their own pumpkins they do have a field of them to choose from. Check-in at the famstand where you’ll be directed. There is a hay ride that brings you to the field.
Stop by now through the end of October.
They are open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call the orchard or check the website for daily changes.
Phone: (203) 272-8418
Lyman Orchards: A large 1,100 acre family-owned and run farm located at 105 South St. in Middlefield.They grow and offer Eco-Certified fruits and vegetables, bakery products, apple cider, specialty foods and more.
They also offer an opportunity to pick-your-own pumpkins. While they are not growing their own pumpkins they do set up a pumpkin patch for you to choose one.
Stop by now through the end of October.
They are open Monday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: For information and updates on picking conditions, call 24-hour PYO hotline at 860-349-6015 or go to lymanorchards.com/pick-your-own/pumpkins/
Rogers Orchards: A 275-acre, family-owned and run farm with two farmstand locations.The Shuttle Meadow Farm Store is located at 336 Long Bottom Road in Southington and the Sunnymount Farm Store is located at 2876 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike in Plantsville.
They grow and offer Eco-Certified fruits including apples, pears and peaches, bakery products and more.
As well as the opportunity to grab some pumpkins. While they do not have a field just for pumpkin picking, stop by the farmstand and take your pick.
Stop by now through the end of October.
They are open Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and closed Monday-Thursday.
Phone: The Shuttle Meadow Farm Store (860) 229-4240 or the Sunnymount Farm Store (203) 879-1206.
Karabin Farms: An orchard located at 894 Andrews St. in SouthingtonThey also offer an opportunity to grab some pumpkins. While they do not have a field just for pumpkin picking, stop by the front of the farmstand and take your pick.
Stop by now through the end of October.
They are open Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting); and closed Monday-Thursday.
Phone: (860) 620-0194
Surrounding Areas
The Pickin' Patch in Avon
Brown's Harvest in Windsor
Angevine Farm Pumpkin Patch & Christmas Tree Farm in Warren
chooks@record-journal.com
203-317-2279