A Guide to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-Area Pumpkin Patches

The city of Pittsburgh and surrounding rural areas are known for some really amazing things from ethnic heritage, delicious food, football, baseball, hockey, steel, coal and bountiful harvests each and every year. Included in this plentiful growth spurt are a massive amount of pumpkins grown in some of the most lush pumpkin patches that are worthy of front page news. Hundreds of acres of pumpkins literally cover the rich soil at the multiple farms in western Pennsylvania, and children of all ages are invited to visit them and learn about how they are planted and later harvested.

No pumpkin patch visit is complete without a classic hayride to the perfect little Halloween decoration that will develop character once its face is carved into a life like person with facial features. Children and adults are allowed to stroll through the acreage at their leisure while searching for the plumpest fruit that the patch has to offer. By choosing a pumpkin from a local farm, children will not only learn about how they are grown, they will get valuable tips on how to carve their pumpkin and keep it looking healthy for a long period of time.

Pumpkin patch visits are an educational experience for children that visit the fall attraction as it involves all facets of farming which usually includes learning about the planting of pumpkins and the other vegetation grown in the fields. Of course no visit is complete until they have buzzed through the corn maze, enjoyed a hayride, witnessed a spooky scarecrow watching over the produce or petted one of the many farm animals roaming around the property.

The Top Three Pumpkin Patches in the Pittsburgh Area

Trax Farms

Family Owned & Operated Since 1865

The 145 year old farm can be visited at 528 Trax Road, just off of Route 88 in Finleyville, Pennsylvania, just 14 miles from Pittsburgh all year long, but the real fun begins in October during the Fall Harvest Festival when the smell of pumpkins and other fall foliage can be detected in the air. During the entire month children can enjoy hay rides, a romp through a corn maze, the petting zoo, and hop on the Rainbow Express train for a ride, and then children can tackle the piles of pumpkins while searching for the biggest and the best one to take home. 325 acres of pumpkins will entice visitors to roam through the fields, and later on children and parents can warm their bones from the chilly fall air by seeking refuge at the Garden Café. For hours and more information, go to: http://www.traxfarms.com/

Triple B Farm

823 Berry Lane, Monongahela, Pennsylvania

Children love this 400 acre working farm located just 26 miles from Pittsburgh, and for good reason. It has been going strong since 1985, and the entire fall festival is completely centered around children ages 5 to 13 with 200 cartoon pumpkin headed characters spread throughout Storybook Pumpkinland. A slightly scary Blue Barn set for Halloween entertainment with animated characters, a five-acre space travel corn maze, a petting zoo, and a weekend barnyard carnival. Children especially love the giant 90-foot Liberty Tube slide that allows them to drop to the underground and they are amazed by the talented goat that climbs the Goatfield Bridge. The Fall Festival hours in October are Monday to Friday 4pm-7pm, Sat & Sun 10 am to 6pm, and for evening fun in October on Friday & Saturday, 6pm-10pm. For more information, go to: http://www.triplebfarms.com/

Janoski's Farm & Greenhouse, 1714 State Route 30, Clinton, Pennsylvania

This legendary farm has been going strong since 1890, originating in Mt. Lebanon and later relocating to Clinton, just 19 miles from Pittsburgh, in the early 60's. Their experience with growing the best produce around has led them to a bounty that includes a Farmers market, 35 greenhouses, a bakery, gift shop and Pumpkinland. Children flock to this old-fashioned fall event where they can experience pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, a tractor-drawn hayride, and cotton candy or candy apples that can be enjoyed while they check out the farm animals. Pumpkins can be found spread all over the 200 acres of rich farmland, and they are only .025 cents per pound. For more information, go to: http://www.janoskis.com/index.html

Sources:

http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/PApwest.php

http://www.janoskis.com/index.html

http://www.triplebfarms.com/

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/

http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/fall/a/pumpkin_patch.htm

http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/

http://www.traxfarms.com/events.html