Plump pumpkins wait to be plucked at local patches
Pondering a pumpkin patch picking place? Look no further; here are some farms located just a short drive away.
Peterson Sisters pumpkin patch
The Peterson Sisters pumpkin patch offers a selection of pumpkins and decorative gourds including Jack-o-Lanterns, baking pumpkins, and a mix of gourds and giant pumpkins, according to their website.
Activities include family friendly carnival games, a kids hay maze and hay rides.
Pumpkin butter, apple butter, pumpkin cake mix will be available made with the farm’s pumpkins
Admission to the farm is free.
Located at 3200 Bell Road, Chico, The Peterson Sisters are open weekends 3 p.m. to sunset Fridays and 10 p.m. to sunset Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31.
For more information visit https://pspumpkinpatch.com/.
Country Pumpkins
Started by the Gruenwald Family in 2000, this farm includes a 5-acre Upick pumpkin patch, a 10acre corn maze, a farm animal petting zoo, a hay pyramid with a slide, a country store and a haunted maze.
Pumpkins varieties including traditional, rustcolored fairytales, red pumpkins from France and blue Jarrahdale from New Zealand are available for picking and cost $1 to $50 depending on variety and size. A trip through the corn maze is $5 per person and children 4 and younger are free. The farm accepts cash and checks for pumpkins and the maze.
The Haunted Maze, recommended for those 10 and older, is open from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30. The cost is $15 per person, cash only.
Admission and parking are free as is the hay pyramid and slide and petting zoo.
Located at 7152 Highway 32 about 10 miles west of Chico and 4 miles east of Orland, Country Pumpkins is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.
For more information visit http://countrypumpkins.org.
Max’s Miracle Ranch
There are plenty of apples to pick at this farm in Biggs. For a $1 a pound visitors may pick Gibson golden, pink lady, Fuji, pippin, Granny Smith and red delicious apples by the bushel.
Pre-picked pumpkins are also available for $3 to $10 depending on size and freshly harvested walnuts are $4.99 a pound.
Located at 3476 Smith Ave. in Biggs, Max’s is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.
For more information visit http://www.maxsmiracles.org.
TJ Farms
Located in Chico this farm offers pumpkins for picking, farm animals for petting and hay rides for taking. Winter vegetables, Indian corn, gourds and prepared farm food products including pumpkin pie are available at the farm store on weekends.
There are also places to picnic and a play area for children. Pumpkins range in price from $8 to $50 depending on size.
Parking and admission are free.
This farm, located at 3600 Chico Ave., is open 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information visit https://tjfarmsestates.com.
Book Family Farm
This farm gets down to tradition, offering an oldfashioned pumpkin patch, farm animals and scarecrow displays.
In addition to their pumpkin patch, the farm grows grass-fed beef, pork and poultry for sale.
Admission to the farm and parking is free.
Located at 153 Heavy Horse Lane in Durham, Book Family Farm is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.
Patrick Ranch Museum
This pumpkin patch was grown for the museum’s Autumnfest, inviting families and children for a day of Autumn fun.
The ranch will offer house tours, pony cart and tractor rides and of course, pumpkin picking for the family.
Located at 10381 Midway in Chico, the Patrick Ranch Museum will be open for Autumnfest Oct. 8 through Oct. 23.
Patrick Ranch Museum can be reached at 3424359.