It’s that time of year when you need to find the perfect pumpkin, the one that will become a spooky lantern. Find out how to pick the best pumpkin and see our top picks of places to find them.
How to pick the perfect pumpkin
1. Make sure it’s the right colour!
Perfectly ripe pumpkins should be a bright and deep orange colour.
2. Give it a good knock
Whether you plan to cook or carve, you’ll want to make sure your pumpkin sounds hollow. You can tell by giving it a solid knock when you’re at the pumpkin patch. If it sounds hollow, it’s good to pick and should stay in good shape for 3-10 days after carving. If your pumpkin isn’t ripe yet, picking it too soon can make it not last as long.
3. Test the pumpkin’s skin
A ripe pumpkin will have a pretty hard skin. Try to poke the outer shell with your fingernail. If it doesn’t make a dent or go through, your pumpkin is good to use.
4. No bruises!
Pumpkins can get bumped and bruised, especially if they’ve been dropped. When picking yours, make sure it’s still nice and firm on the outside. If it’s been bumped, it might have soft spots, and that means it could go bad faster.
5. Make sure it sits flat
If you’re picking a pumpkin to carve, choose one with a flat base so it can stand upright independently. They’re usually easier to carve!
Top Places To Pick Pumpkins
1. Pumpkin Patch at the Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park Bristol
2. Tulleys Pumpkin Farm, Crawley
3. Foxes Farm Produce, Basildon
4. Maxeys Farm, Newark
5. Priory Farm, Redhill
6. Windmill Animal Farm, Lancashire
7. Cockfields Farm Park, Greater Manchester
8. Spilmans Pumpkin Festival
9. Pumpkin Moon, Maidstone
10. South Devon Pumpkin Patch
Happy pumpkin hunting and creating.