What’s autumn without a few pumpkins and gourds decorating your front stoop? And don’t forget … Halloween will be here before you know it! Throughout history, many different cultures have carved lanterns out of vegetables like turnips, gourds and pumpkins. The carved pumpkins we in North America have become accustomed to are based primarily on an Irish tradition, though the Irish didn’t actually have pumpkins. It’s not quite certain what the original purpose of a Jack O’Lantern was. In fact, some say they were to represent the spirits, while others say they were used to scare spirits away. Regardless of the history and intent, there’s something special about visiting a pumpkin patch on a brisk autumn afternoon and picking out the perfect pumpkin!
Here are some of Surrey’s fabulous pumpkin patches:
Rondriso Farms
8390 172 Street
Take a hay wagon ride down to the patch where you’ll find some of the biggest and coolest pumpkins around! Rondriso also features a full assortment of pre-picked pumpkins, mini-pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks and hay bales available for sale at the farm stand, not to mention a grand assortment of winter veggies! For a mooo-ving experience, make sure to take the kids down to the barn where they can meet the cows and calves as well. Hay wagon rides go from 10:00-6:00 on weekends and holidays, and are available on Mondays to Fridays from 3:00-6:00 throughout the month of October. Opening October 1. Visit their website for all the details.
Port Kells Nurseries
18730 88th Avenue
It takes a lot of pumpkin seeds to grow the perfect pumpkin patch! And every May, the folks at Port Kells Nurseries plant well over 10,000 seeds in 9 growing fields! With that many potential pumpkins popping up come October, the Great Pumpkin must surely reside here! Admission is free and includes access to the outdoor play areas, animal attractions and the cedar maze. Opening October 1.
The Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch
18507 20th Avenue
The Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch is open at weekends throughout October and on weekday afternoons from October 5 – 30. The folks at Hazelmere grow a wide variety of pumpkins, perfect for carving, colourful displays, and pumpkin pie! Admission includes a hayride to the field, a mini corn maze, and access to the farm animal interaction areas and play areas. Opening September 24.
Arts Nursery Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch
8940 192nd Street
Visit Arts Nursery’s 10+ acre nursery anytime between now and Halloween to enjoy a casual outdoor stroll amongst 60+ scarecrows and the pop-up pumpkin patch. With plenty of fall photo opportunities take in the beauty of nature and the creativity of their talented scarecrow-building team! And if you love the scarecrows so much that you want one to take home, you can purchase your very own Scarecrow Building Kit. Kids will love the fun scavenger hunt and on October 2 and 30 the Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Society will be on site (O.W.L.). Plus every weekend there will be live music and food trucks.
Bose Family Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze – Cancelled for 2022
64th Avenue & 156th Street
Sit back on a hay bale and savour Surrey’s countryside as the folks at Bose Pumpkin Patch take you on a tractor-pulled ride in search of the perfect carving pumpkin. The pumpkin patch is open every weekend throughout October and pumpkins range in size from 5 to 100 pounds! In addition to the pumpkin patch, Bose Family Farm is famous for its epic corn maze, which is now open for reserved groups until October 12. Every year the maze is cut with an amazing design best viewed from above. Fun during the day, the maze gets even more epic at night! Bring a flashlight and try your luck.