Pumpkins, patches of all sizes and shapes
Jim Stakey, owner of Stakey's Pumpkin Farm, with daughter Clare, 11, left, and Jacy Rubin, 11, inside his field of pumpkins in Riverhead. (Sept. 16, 2012) Credit: Steve Pfost
Just as pumpkins come in all colors, shapes and sizes -- the patches they grow in are diverse, too. U-pickers can visit several dozen farms -- small fields with classic orange pumpkins, multi-acre properties growing unusual heirloom gourds or full-fledged "agri-tainment" destinations with hayrides, corn mazes and other kiddie fun to round out the afternoon.
Here are a few places to make your pick -- many more are listed in our full guide to pumpkin picking at exploreLI.com/halloween.
Some new offerings are the curvaceous snake gourd and the squat, grooved Queensland Blue.
Some like them massive -- as in topping out at more than 100 pounds. Hank's Pumpkintown in Water Mill (240 Montauk Hwy., 631-726-4667, hankspumpkintown.com) grows Prizewinners, a variety that can hit triple digits, should you want a monster pumpkin for the front stoop or backyard -- they sell for 65 cents a pound.
Sometimes, size does matter. If you like the idea of wandering through acre after acre of pumpkins to find just the right one, consider Stakey's Pumpkin Farm in Aquebogue (270 West Lane, 631-722- 3467, stakeyspumpkinfarm.com), which has 26 acres of pumpkins, gourds and squashes (59 cents a pound). Pick up a wheelbarrow and browse -- or take a perfunctory wagon ride around the perimeter first to plot your approach.
All-in-one destinations are particularly good for families. Before or after picking, the crew can play games, take a hayride or explore a maze.
While traveling to the North or South Fork can be a lot of fun, sometimes you don't have an entire day to gather pumpkins. Among the mid-Suffolk options: Borella's Farm Stand in St. James (485 Edgewood Ave., 631-862-7330, borellasfarmstand.com), with its 8-acre patch and a $10 flat fee that covers a small corn maze, hayride and inflatables.
