Fall is here — and with Halloween approaching fast — it’s time to check out these pumpkin patches for jack-o’-lanterns and other harvest-y items and fun activities.
Barton Pumpkin Patch
Where: 16921 Gunn Highway, Odessa
Details: A quaint, little side-of-the-road stand just down the street from Keystone Park. It not only offers pumpkins through October, but provides several fun photo ops with Halloween-themed cutouts.
Info and Hours: Call 727-243-3538.
Bearss Grove
Where: 14316 Lake Magdalene Blvd., Tampa
Details: Shaded by a tent, this pumpkin patch is next to the produce stand that provides local fruits and vegetables. While there, be sure to check the estimated 400-year-old Live Oak Tree that was named a Millennium Landmark Tree for the State of Florida by the America the Beautiful Fund in 2003 and the 969-pound pumpkin that will be on display for photo ops.
Info and Hours: Visit Facebook.com/BearssGroves.
Boyette Family Farms
Where: 6715 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel
Details: All are welcome during the fall and harvest season to stroll through its small pumpkin patch, to go along with locally sourced fruits and vegetables, as well as local vendors and food trucks on the weekends.
Info and Hours: Visit Facebook.com/BoyetteFamilyFarms.
Harvester Community Church
Where: 2432 Collier Parkway, Land O’Lakes
Details: This one is hard to miss while driving down Collier Parkway. This church has been laying out hundreds of pumpkins in the field in front of its building for years. Proceeds from the pumpkin sales go toward the church’s youth group.
Info: Visit Facebook.com/harvesterumc.
HarvestMoon Fun Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Where: 15990 Stur St., MasaryktownDetails: Grab a pumpkin, but also get lost in a 5-acre corn maze that has a different design every year. There’s also a cow train, petting farm and a 70-foot jumping pillow. Food and drink options are available, too, for a family friendly afternoon.
Info and Hours: Visit HarvestMoonFl.com.
Raprager Family Farm
Where: 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa
Details: It’s a fall festival the whole month of October at this farm, with a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, hayrides, corn pit, pumpkin carving, inflatable haunted maze, haunted barn, 40-foot hay chute slide, axe throwing, live entertainment, gem mining, and even scarecrow contests. Tickets are recommended to be purchased in advance.
Info and Hours: Visit RapragerFamilyFarms.com.
Starkey Market
Where: 3460 Starkey Blvd., Trinity
Details: Through October, Starkey Market will have a pumpkin patch and stand just in front of its general store, which sells local wares and foods, and The Barn, a local watering hole that serves local beers, wines and ciders.
Info and Hours: Visit Facebook.com/starkeymarket.
Sweetfields Farm
Where: 17250 Benes Roush Road, Brooksville
Details: Tickets are required at this farm, but admission includes hayride, hay play area, corn maze, treehouse play area, hay maze, tumbleweed rollers, jumbo foosball, pitcher pump duck races, access to the harvest barn and, of course, the pumpkin patch.
Info and Hours: Visit Sweetfieldsfarm.com.
Watermelon Swim
Where: 19509 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz
Details: Hundreds of pumpkins will surround the indoor swim facility in Lutz, with a portion of the proceeds funding its special abilities program and to help families and continue to offer scholarships at this location. Pumpkins here will be sold up to and on Halloween.
Info and Hours: Visit Facebook.com/watermelonswimflorida.
Published October 19, 2022
