Pumpkins have been a herald of the fall months in the Americas for thousands of years. Evidence of cultivation is seen as early as 7,500-5,000 BC in Mexico, and since then pumpkins have flourished on every continent except Antarctica. Most of the pumpkin is edible, from the seeds to the leaves, and when English and Irish immigrants landed on American shores, they found pumpkins to be a superior substitute to turnips for carving, giving rise to the idea of Jack-O-Lanterns.
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Walking among the vines and fruits of a patch of healthy pumpkins to choose exactly the right one to either carve or cook is one of the great delights of autumn. Fortunately, for those without the room or time to grow pumpkins in their own gardens, there are many bountiful pumpkin patches available for you and your family to visit in and around Fort Collins. Here are a few of our favorites.
The Bartels Farm
Address: 3424 E. Douglas Road CR 54, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: 970-493-3853
Hours: Monday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm
The Bartels Farm was first established in 1905 by father and son team, Clyde and Frank Bartels. In the hundred or so years that they have been in operation, they’ve raised both sheep and pigs, as well as growing a diverse variety of crops, including barley for producing Coors beer. When Doug Bartels found himself with a surfeit of pumpkins in 2000, he opened the fields to the public. Every year since then, the pumpkin patch has grown in size, and in popularity.
The Bartels Farm is much more than just a pumpkin patch, however. Not only is this a great way to get your perfect pumpkin, but the kids can blow off some steam by running through the corn maze or taking their turn at the exhilarating “Punkin Chunkin,” a trebuchet designed to throw pumpkins. As a bonus, this centennial farm also hosts special events, so if you have nuptials planned for October, need to organize a school field trip, or have a child with a fall birthday, The Bartels Farm has you covered.
Tigges Farm
Address: 12404 County Road 64½, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-686-7225
Hours: Thursday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm
Tigges Farm in nearby Greeley has been hosting their pumpkin patch for over thirty years. The farm, which was founded in 1934 by Phillip and Lucy Tigges, has grown a great deal in the last few decades. There is a lot of variety in the 15 acres of pumpkins growing in their fields. There are plenty of carving pumpkins of all sizes to be found in their pumpkin patch, as well as white, blue, and specialty pie pumpkins.
As lovely as they are, pumpkins aren’t the only attraction at Tigges Farm. Special events are happening every weekend this year, including photo opportunities with farm animals, a tiny town scavenger hunt, and a visit from the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. There is a plethora of sweet spots to take photographs, some of which feature historical farm equipment utilized by earlier generations, a gift shop full of handmade goodies, and on weekends in October, you can even grab a bite to eat at Chefrey’s Cheesesteaks & More Food Truck.
Jack Lantern’s Corn Maze
Address: 2318 S. County Road 5, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: 970-308-5843
Hours: Friday-Sunday 11 am-6 pm
Jack Lantern’s Corn Maze, right here in Fort Collins, has several acres of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, from small softball-sized cuties to 100-pound monsters. For those who are simply looking for pumpkins, rather than the experience of picking your pumpkin, Jack’s has you covered there too, with a large selection of already-picked pumpkins, squash, and gourds as well.
As you may have guessed by the name, pumpkins aren’t Jack Lantern’s only focus. The titular corn maze is a fun way to spend half an hour or so, and if you find all six items in their $2 corn maze scavenger hunt, you’ll get a free small pumpkin for your efforts! Along with these two major attractions, Jack’s also has farm animals to meet, pedal cars to race, and bounce houses for the kiddos.
*The happy corn maze typically turns into a spookier realm after dark, filled with more frightening fun. This option is closed for the 2021 season, however.
Something From the Farm
Address: 8020 South Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: 970-282-1135
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 am-6 pm, Sunday 10 am-6 pm
Something From the Farm, a family-owned pumpkin patch on Timberline in Fort Collins, has lasted through four generations. When you visit this particular pumpkin patch, you are likely to be welcomed not only by the owners of the farm, the Dorys, but also by the resident cats and chickens. This is the only dog-friendly pumpkin patch on the list, so if your kiddo happens to have four legs, this might just be the pumpkin patch you’ve been looking for.
Like the other pumpkin patches on this list, pumpkins aren’t the only thing that they do. Something From the Farm also offers turns at a trebuchet to toss pumpkins across the field, a hayride, and a hay bale maze.
Osborn Farm
Address: 1230 S Boise Ave, Loveland, CO 80537
Phone: 970-541-1212
Hours: Monday through Sunday 10 am-6 pm
Osborn Farm has been active since 1861, and is the oldest continually running farm in Colorado. Through October they have both a field and a barnyard full of pumpkins and gourds to choose from, as well as Indian corn, corn stalks, and straw bales. This is another dog-friendly pumpkin patch, as long as your pooch is leashed, but you’ll want to get there early in the month. In 2020 they sold out of pumpkins by the middle of October.
There’s extra excitement during October weekends on Osborn Farm. Along with the traditional fall harvest of pumpkins and corn, guests also have the opportunity to ride the barrel train, visit the petting zoo, and get food and coffee from the on-site food vendors.
Autumn is the perfect time to get outside in Fort Collins. The weather isn’t too hot or too cold, the leaves are changing colors, and there are delicious smells and flavors where ever you go. No matter whether you are looking for fabulous family memories, a fun outing with friends, or a little time to enjoy the fall weather by yourself, one of these five fabulous pumpkin patches should fit the bill.
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About the Author: Cohere member Penny Leigh Sebring is an experienced freelance writer, neophyte speculative fiction author, and a gatherer of information and imaginary friends.
Photo by Stephen Andrews on Unsplash