Where to Pick Pumpkins and Enjoy Fall Family Fun

It’s pumpkin season in eastern Washington, and several local farms are selling baking or carving pumpkins as well as providing opportunities to have a little family fun. Hoseth Farms in Loon Lake doubled the size of their pumpkin patch after running out last year, said Jim Hoseth, who owns Hoseth Farms with his wife, Teresa. The farm usually has u-pick flowers and pumpkins this time of year, but the recent frost killed off the flowers and there are just pumpkins, Hoseth said. The farm now has 2.5 acres in pumpkins, including sweet baking varieties, carving pumpkins, and two types of white pumpkins.

“The demand up here is so crazy,” he said. “We underestimated the demand for pumpkins. This year we expanded the pumpkin patch by half.” People who make the trip to Hoseth Farms at Lone Crow Ranch, located at 3940 Gardenspot Road, will also find a toddler-sized hay bale maze, pumpkin painting, and free pumpkin muffins and apple cider. The farm has a commercial kitchen and makes the muffins inhouse, as well as strawberry jam, Hoseth said. “The kitchen smells so good,” he said. The pumpkin patch is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October. Hoseth said they don’t charge admission and parking is free.

“We just want people to come out and have a good time,” he said. Five J Farm in Deer Park typically sells fresh eggs and produce but also plants a field of pumpkins each year. Owner Niki Schuch said this is her fourth year planting pumpkins on purpose, having accidental- ly grown her first plant from a wayward seed. This year she grew 18 varieties, including regular carving pumpkins, heirloom and specialty pumpkins, and miniature pumpkins. Schuch said she has an “unhealthy obsession” with pumpkins and can’t pick a favorite. “There’s so many colors and shapes and sizes,” she said. “I like the really wonky-looking reject ones. I can’t choose.” The pumpkins are prepicked, and while there is a spot for photographs, there are no other activities at the farm, she said.

“We’re just a small family hobby farm,” she said. “It’s not a big crowd. The whole point of this is to be small.” Five J Farm still has fresh produce while supplies last, as well as eggs, apples, and apple butter. Everything is sold by donation. The farm is open Mondays through Thurs- days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October. The farm is located at 1810 E. Deer Park Milan Road. There are several pumpkin patch options in Green Bluff, includ- ing the former Knapp’s U-Pick Farm, now called Monster Farm, at 7534 E. Ballard Road in Colbert.

The pumpkin patch is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and and their Fall Festival runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October. According to farm owners, the Fall Festival portion of the event includes a jump tunnel, pumpkin straw maze, a farmyard bounce house, train ride, pumpkin bowling, and food and craft vendors. Admission to the pumpkin patch is free Monday through Thursday and admission to the Fall Festival is $6 per person, with kids 2 and under free. Those visiting on Fall Festival days can purchase pre-picked pumpkins without paying admission.