New Pumpkin Patch Opens At Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm

MATTITUCK, NY — For years, the Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm in Mattituck has been a beloved holiday tradition for families who pile into the car and head out to make forever memories.

Now, the fun has extended into the fall season: On Sept. 14, the farm unveiled its first-ever U-pick pumpkins. The Pumpkin Patch is located at 20685 Main Rd. in Mattituck and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day, through Oct. 27. Then, the Christmas Tree Farm opens for the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.

Jonathan Shipman said, over the years, he and his wife Jennifer have had many customers during the Christmas season inquire about pumpkins.

"We figured it would be a nice addition to the farm and extend our season greatly," he said.

The Pumpkin Patch consists of acre and a half of U-pick pumpkins, with 14 different varieties in the field — symbolizing a long-held dream for the Shipmans.

"We purchased the property in early spring, 2018," Shipman said. "My wife and I had been trying to purchase it for a while. Three rounds of IVF set us back a bit, but everything fell into place. We were blessed with healthy twin boys and a year and a half later acquired the farm. It took nearly two months to clear it and reclaim it as a farm. Breaking ground on our own land was a great feeling."

Another new dream realized is a 2.5 acre evergreen maze, likely to be open in five years, Shipman said.

"As I understand it, it is the largest evergreen maze in the country," Shipman said. "I designed it myself. I drew it to scale on graph paper; it took nearly 3 straight days of sketching. I made a lot of changes in those three days," he said. "The maze has huge potential and I am very much looking forward to opening it in the future."

(Jonathan Shipman and his father Joseph planting one of their first seasons. Courtesy Jonathan Shipman).

For Shipman, the farm is a precious family legacy.

"My father, Joseph, started the Shamrock tree company in the mid 70s. I bought that in 2012 and that same year became a board certified master arborist. The Christmas tree farm was first planted in 1989 and our first field was open for cutting 2005," he said.

(Courtesy Jonathan Shipman)

Family is everything for the Shipmans, and those values symbolize the heart of the business.

"Our vision is a place where families can go to enjoy time with each other," he said.

The Pumpkin Patch also offers train rides, a large fire pit music, local wine, hard cider, jerky, potato chips, pickles, oysters, clams— and corn hole. "It's just a nice atmosphere to relax and unplug with the family," he said.