By James FitzPatrick
Contributing Writer
With the arrival of autumn on Saturday, Sept. 23, we welcome what many consider to be the best time of the year.
Fall ushers in mild, cooler weather. Days may be shorter, but the breezes are breezier. The climate is crisp and temperate, and the scenery around us is bathed in a brilliant, afternoon light that you don’t see the rest of the year.
With shorter days and the kids back in school, family time becomes more precious. That’s where our autumn family traditions come in. From football to Halloween, apple picking or just sitting around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and making s’mores, fall is full of fun stuff to do.
One of the most popular fall activities, which has become a custom for many families, is visiting a pumpkin patch to choose our Halloween pumpkins. There’s nothing like piling on to a cart full of hay behind a tractor and taking a ride out into the field to pick your very own pumpkin. The sense of excitement, especially for the little ones, is a moment to be treasured forever.
Fortunately for us, we have five-star rated farms close by to make sure that we don’t miss out. As we are about to begin the opening days of pumpkin patch season, here is some information about two popular pumpkin patch attractions, along with some info that you might not know about these popular gourds.
Sahl’s Father Son Farm in Galloway is open Saturdays only and Columbus Day, Sept. 30 to Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sahl’s has corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, and various farm animals which you can pet. There are pig races, lots of kid’s activities, outdoor picnic facilities, an indoor party room, pony rides and a snack stand. Admission is $14 per person 3 and older. All activities are included in the admission fee (except for the pony rides for children: $3 each). Pumpkins are priced by size from $2 to $12. It’s located at 420 West Pestalozzi St. in Galloway. Call 609-965-9300 or see https://www.fathersonfarm.com/
R and J Farm Corn Maze and Hayride is a family owned farm located at 723 W. Herschel St. in Galloway. Guests will enjoy a corn maze with stroller-friendly trails and hayrides. Take a scenic hayride to the pumpkin patch with a complimentary pumpkin included. There is a snack shack, and assistance is available if needed. They have a large jumping pillow for energetic fun. Open Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and starting Sept. 25, Mondays-Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. Columbus Day (Oct. 9): 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. then it’s open every day Sept. 25 – Oct 30. Corn maze is $8. Hayride (includes one pumpkin) is $8. Call 609-593-6180 or see randjcornmaze@comcast.net
In Cape May County we found one option. Try Leslie C. Rea Farms at 4th Avenue and Bayshore Road in West Cape May. Make sure to call ahead at 609-884-4522.
Not too far away there are other options that might be worth the drive, including:
Johnson’s Corner Farm, 133 Church Road, Medford. Call 609-654-8643 or see johnsonsfarm.com.
Popes’ Gardens, 1146 Old White Horse Pike, Waterford. Call 856-767-3343 or see popesgardens.com.
Russo’s Fruit and Vegetable Farm 299 Flyatt Road, Tabernacle. Call 609-268-0239 or see russosfruitandveg.com.
To help you get warmed up for your upcoming pumpkin patch outing here’s a couple of pumpkin facts that you might not know:
The hashtag #pumpkinpatch has 4.3 million posts on Instagram.
If you really want to show your pumpkin enthusiasm you can do it on Oct. 26, which has been designated National Pumpkin Day, although there origin of the day is uncertain.
According to Rutgers University, New Jersey is estimated to be in the top 15 of pumpkin-producing states, contributing about 5 percent of the nationwide total pumpkin output.
The state produces pumpkins on about 2,500 acres with an average yield of 11 tons per acre. Pumpkin production in New Jersey costs approximately $3,000 per acre. All pumpkins grown in New Jersey are dedicated to the fresh market, with none processed.
If you get bored with the typical jack-o’-lantern or pumpkin painting activities, you can always try pumpkin chunkin events. This is an activity in which pumpkins are launched by cannon, or by using a trebuchet to see who can send them the farthest distance or create the most spectacular splatter. Find the nearest event at https://www.punkinchunkin.com/
If you would rather be low-key about your pumpkin celebrating, there are plenty of pumpkin patch alternatives out there. Pumpkins are available at most garden centers, supermarkets and even big box stores.
If you try a pumpkin patch, call ahead to make sure there are slots available, and all of your bases are covered.
A very important final thought: Before you go, make sure your phone is fully charged. You don’t want to miss a moment. You will make memories that last a lifetime.
Copy editor and Contributing Writer James FitzPatrick has been a community journalist in Atlantic and Cape May counties for more than 30 years, including 20 years as editor of The Current Newspapers. He lives in Hammonton.
