Patch Guide: Pumpkin and Apple Picking

New Jersey's pumpkin picking season usually starts around September 15, with peak activity from October 1 to October 15. Pick-your-own apple and pumpkin farms are plentiful in New Jersey, but each offers something a bit different. Some have rides; others elaborate corn mazes.

Check out our Patch list below for some ideas about where to go and please feel free to add your own favorite spots!

Alstede Farms in Chester, New Jersey
84 Route 513 (Old Route 24)
Chester, New Jersey
Phone: 908-879-7189

At Alstede you can pick apples, pumpkins, get lost in mazes, and enjoy hayrides daily from 9 a.m. tol 7 p.m. There's also all sorts of veggies including tons of Jersey tomatoes on hand to purchase. Afterwards, you can take a stroll through lovely Chester, filled with quaint shops and cafes. For more information, go here.

Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, New Jersey
244 Wierimus Road
Hillsdale, New Jersey
Phone: 201-666-0472
Weekends 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Opened Sept. 23)
Weekdays 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost is $5 admission per person and includes the hay ride.
Apples are $8 per bag and hold about 15 lbs of apples.

Pick your own apples and enjoy a hayride. For more information, go here.

Farms View in Wayne, New Jersey
945 Black Oak Ridge Road
Wayne, New Jersey
Phone: 973-839-1212

Pick your own pumpkins beginning the weekend of Oct. 1 and throughout October. Hayrides are offered on Saturdays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sundays (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). No reservations are needed for hayrides. For more information, go here.

Grochowicz Farms in Glen Gardner, New Jersey
2401 Route 31
Glen Gardner, New Jersey
Phone: 908-537-4332

Fall Family Fun is open to the general public on Saturdays and Sundays starting weekend of Oct. 1 through Oct. 29. Fun-filled weekends, weather permitting, last until the end of October. Drop by to see the animals on a 30-minute hayride and explore the corn maze. Open Saturday and Sundays starting at 11 a.m. with the the last admission at 4 p.m. For more information, go here.

Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon, New Jersey
451 Route 94
Vernon, New Jersey
Open Daily at 9 a.m.

The Pumpkin Land Festival runs every weekend through Oct. 30. Not only can you take your kids pumpkin picking, but there are also haunted acres hayrides at 7 p.m. starting Oct. 1. In addition, there's a wide variety of family entertainment including rides and mazes at this popular pumpkin spot. For more information, go here.

 Horse Sleigh Farm in Washington Township, New Jersey
35 Kayharts Lane
Washington Township, New Jersey

This year the farm has an abundance of pumpkins as well as corn mazes, haunted hayrides, and other new attractions for 2011. For more information, go here.

Hurds Family Farm in Modena, New York
2187 Route 32
Modena, New York
Phone: 845-883-7825
Open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekends 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fall Season Farm Admission: Weekdays $5.00 - Weekends $10.00
Children 2 and under are free!

This farm offers apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, bonfires, and a cornfield maze. Feed farm pets at the Critter Corner and play at the Kid's Corral. Visit an 18th Century Dutch Threshing Barn for country gifts and refreshments. For more information, go here.

Wightman's Farms in Morristown, New Jersey
1111 Mt. Kemble Ave. (Rte 202)
Morristown, New Jersey
Hot Line: 973-425-0840
Market Phone: 973-425-9819
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. P.Y.O.

With a market decked out with Indian corn and all sorts of painted pumpkins, this stop offers lots of products such as cider as well as giant pumpkins great for taking pictures. You can pick your own apples and peaches and also enjoy hay rides (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and a huge corn maze. For more information, go here.