Where To Pick Pumpkins Near Morristown This Fall — And How To Carve Them

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Heading out to a patch or field around Morristown to pick the best or biggest pumpkin isn't just about finding the perfect Halloween jack-o'-lantern.

It's one of those fall traditions that gets people outside, into the fields and together with family and friends — with a little fresh air, a little dirt and, ideally, a pumpkin worth hauling home.

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Many pumpkin patches and fields make a day of it, with hayrides, corn mazes, games for the kids and other seasonal activities. Picking your own pumpkin also supports the local farmers who planted, tended and harvested the crop.

Whether you plan to carve a jack-o'-lantern or just add some festive flair to your stoop, there are plenty of places to pick up a pumpkin near Morristown. Here are a few local favorites:

Wightman Farms, 1111 Mount Kemble Ave., Morristown: Located just outside downtown Morristown, Wightman Farms is a popular destination for fall activities, including pumpkin picking and seasonal family fun. The farm market is generally open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check seasonal activity schedules before visiting.

Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester: Visitors can take a wagon ride into the pumpkin patch to select their own pumpkins, explore a corn maze and enjoy other fall attractions. Pick-your-own admission is required, and pumpkins cost 89 cents per pound. Picking hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends and holidays, with fields closing at 6 p.m. More information is available at alstedefarms.com.

Ort Farms, 25 Bartley Road, Long Valley: The family-owned farm is hosting Fall Festival Weekends throughout September and October, featuring pumpkin picking, hayrides, farm animals, children's play areas, food trucks and live music. The farm market is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., while pick-your-own fields generally operate from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last admission at 5:30 p.m. Visit ortfarms.com for details and tickets.

Sun High Orchards, 19 Canfield Ave., Randolph: This local farm offers a convenient destination for seasonal produce and fall shopping. Hours are generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. Visitors should confirm pumpkin availability and whether field picking is offered before heading out.

Middle Valley Farms, 304 Pleasant Valley Road, Mendham Township: This Mendham-area farm is another option for a fall outing. Listed hours include Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call ahead to confirm pumpkin-picking availability and seasonal activities.

Donaldson Farms, 358 Allen Road, Hackettstown: Families looking to venture farther west can check out this farm market and its seasonal offerings. The market is generally open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check directly with the farm for current pumpkin-picking arrangements and fall activities.

Hours, admission prices and pumpkin availability can change depending on weather, field conditions and demand, so visitors should check with each farm before making the trip.

How To Carve The Perfect Halloween Pumpkin

Once you've brought your pumpkin home, the next step is turning it into a jack-o'-lantern.

Start by choosing a pumpkin with a sturdy stem, a firm exterior, and a relatively flat bottom so it sits securely. Avoid pumpkins with soft spots, cracks, or visible mold.

Before carving, wash and dry the pumpkin. Use a marker to sketch out your design, whether it's a traditional spooky face or something more elaborate.

Adults should handle sharp carving tools, while younger children can help scoop out the seeds or decorate pumpkins with paint and stickers.

Cut an opening in the pumpkin, remove the seeds and stringy pulp, and scrape the inside walls to make carving easier. A pumpkin-carving kit with a small serrated saw can offer better control than a large kitchen knife.

Once the design is complete, illuminate your jack-o'-lantern with a battery-operated candle or LED light rather than an open flame.

To help your creation last longer, keep it out of direct sunlight and bring it indoors during unusually warm weather.

And don't toss those pumpkin seeds — rinse, season, and roast them for a fall snack.