‘Tis the season of the Pumpkin King and autumnal decor galore. Which begs the question: Why do we display jack-o'-lanterns and gourds during fall?
Well, it all started with the Irish legend of Stingy Jack. In the 1800s, people in Ireland would carve creepy faces out of turnips to scare away Jack’s wandering soul. When Irish immigrants moved to the US, they adapted and carved jack-o'-lanterns from fruit native to the region. Enter: Pumpkins.
Keep Jack away this season with pumpkins from these six farms + farm stands.
Pumpkin patch experience
Page Farms, 6100 Mt. Herman Rd. | Thursday-Sunday, times vary | Visit this family-owned farm to pick the perfect pumpkin, relax in the corn crib, and enjoy hayrides + farm animals.
Phillips Farms, 6701 Good Hope Church Rd., Cary | Friday + Saturday, 7:30–11:30 p.m. | After you grab a few pumpkins, explore the corn maze and stick around for the haunted farm at night.
DJ’s Berry Patch, 1223 Salem Church Rd., Apex | Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Fill your cart with gourds, corn stalks, NC apples, and mums.
Grasshopper Farms, 8004 Poole Rd., Knightdale | Monday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | After finding your way through four different corn mazes, browse through fall produce. Pro tip: You can also pick up their pumpkins at Logan’s Garden Shop.
Grab-and-go decor
Shepherd’s Way Farms, 511 Woodburn Rd. + 13044 Norwood Rd. | Monday-Sunday, times vary | Pick up a pre-made pumpkin stack to display on your front porch.
State Farmers Market, 1201 Agriculture St. | Monday-Saturday 5 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Shop from several different farmers to complete your fall arrangements.
