The place to search out pumpkins and fall enjoyable within the Finger Lakes

All summer season lengthy and into the autumn, you may virtually hear your garden virtually gasping for rain. As it seems, so have been pumpkins. 

This was a troublesome yr for pumpkins, stated Kimberly Duvall, co-owner of Duvall Farms in East Bloomfield. 

And whereas one could think about pumpkins a pleasant contact of fall, they contribute to the Finger Lakes financial system greater than you may assume. Mother Nature’s trick of little to no rain over the summer season is not any deal with for growers as the times rely all the way down to Halloween.

When it involves New York pumpkin manufacturing, Ontario County ranks comparatively excessive by state manufacturing, with over 4,500 acres, in line with Jacob Maslyn, agriculture financial improvement educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County. For comparability, he stated, Monroe County growers handle thrice as many acres. 

To give it extra numerical perspective, Duvall, who this rising season was in a position to irrigate fields and reduce the impression of drought, final yr bought round 10,480 pumpkins. That’s why she’s hopeful of equaling or exceeding final yr’s bounty.

“The drought positively harm pumpkin manufacturing,” Maslyn stated. “I imagine many of the pumpkins that grew probably are going to be smaller size.”

But, people will be on the lookout for pumpkins this weekend, if they haven’t already. No doubt they will find something “gourd-geous” for the front porch.

People drive far and wide to peep the reds and yellows of fall leaves in the Finger Lakes, but they’ll find the oranges of autumn easily enough, too.

It wouldn’t be fall without pumpkins, whatever the size.

“I think it’s a nostalgic thing,” Duvall stated. “It’s great for kids but older adults like to feel like kids, too.” 

11 locations (and plenty of extra) to search out pumpkins within the Finger Lakes

Besides Duvall Farms, there are numerous locations to search out pumpkins within the Finger Lakes. Here’s why. 

“Pumpkins are one of the easiest and most fun fruits to grow so if you have a good year and a green thumb,” Maslyn stated. “It’s easy to put the extras out by the road with a coffee can and hope for a little candy money.”

Here’s a number of concepts for pumpkins and pumpkin enjoyable within the Finger Lakes. Check forward of time for Columbus Day hours.

• Pick ‘n’ Patch, 2205 state Routes 5 and 20, Stanley, is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to six p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 
• Duvall Farms, 6555 state Routes 5 and 20, East Bloomfield, is open midday to six p.m. Wednesdays via Fridays and 9 a.m. to five p.m. Saturdays.
• The Pumpkin Stand, 7844 state Route 414, Ovid, Seneca County, is open every day from 10 a.m. to six p.m. till Halloween. 
• Blue Barn Acres, 7051 Cherry St., Victor, is open every day. 
• Powers Farm Market, 161 Marsh Road, Pittsford, is open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
• Stokoe Farms, 656 South Road, Scottsville, is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to five p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 
• White’s Farm Market, 2180 state Route 64, Bloomfield, is open from 9 a.m. to six p.m. every day. 
• Mayflowers Nursery and Garden Center, 2505 state Route 332, Canandaigua, is open from 8 a.m. to six p.m. Mondays via Saturdays and 9 a.m. to five p.m. Sundays. 
• Hardy’s Farm Market, 1968 state Route 444, Victor, is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays via Saturdays and 10 a.m. to six p.m. Sundays.
• Wickham Farms, 1315 Sweets Corner Road, Penfield, is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day besides Wednesdays. 
• G and S Orchards, 825 Atlantic Ave., Walworth, Wayne County, is open from 8:30 a.m. to five:30 p.m. every day.

Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and different communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy foods and drinks column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.