Pumpkin patches offer array of decor and fun for allDate: 10/2/2019 GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Continuing on with our page two fall features, Reminder Publishing Staff Writer Danielle Eaton and I came up with the idea to feature a few local pumpkin patches and storefronts that sell everyone’s favorite fall decorations: mums, cornstalks, hay bales, gourds, and of course, pumpkins. As a bonus, several of these farms were kid-friendly and are fantastic places to take the whole family for a day of fall fun.
Meadow View Farm – Southwick
Of the five farms that Eaton and I traveled to, Meadow View Farm was one that offers the most opportunities for children to have outdoor fun. Meadow View features a pumpkin patch, jump pads, a large teepee, an expansive corn maze and kiddie maze, hayrides, a pedal car track, a play yard, and a woodland walk.
While we were at the farm, the staff generously let us walk along the woodland trail, which features beautiful and detailed displays of fairy doors – much like a fairy garden – twinkle lights, and stunning, earthy floral arrangements. This walk leads to the farm’s pumpkin patch, which is expansive and features a fun photo opportunity, as there is a large cut-out of a pumpkin for people to stand by in the middle of the field.
In addition to the aforementioned activities, on the weekends Meadow View Farm offers numerous other activities including face painting by Molly, a comedy magic show, a visit by Reptile Shows of New England, and more. Check out Meadow View’s Facebook page for details and dates on these activities.
Meadow View Farm is located at 120 College Hwy. in Southwick. The farm accepts cash or check (with ID) only. Admission includes the corn maze, hayride, pedal cars, and play yard. On Wednesdays through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., admission is $8 per person. There is also a family plan for four or more guests ages four and up is $7 per person – children three and under are free. On Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., admission is $10 per person. Again with a family plan of four or more guests on the weekend, ages four and up are $9, children three and under are free. Pumpkins are not included with admission. The farm is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. They are open on Columbus Day.
Coward Farms – Southwick
My favorite attribute to Coward Farms – located roughly one minute down the road from Meadow View Farm – has to be their quaint, country-style gift barn. The store sells candles and plenty of fall décor – two of my favorites.
In addition to their large gift barn, Coward Farms sells mums, and a large variety of plants including succulents, sunflowers and perennial shrubs. There are also pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, sunflowers, and Halloween decorations available for sale.
For the kids, the farm features the “Little Rascal Pumpkin Patch.” Coward Farms grows their own pumpkins off-site and then transports them to their location at 150 College Hwy. in Southwick. The pumpkins are then scattered in a small, grassy field for kids to be able to run around and “pick” their own pumpkin, without the potential safety hazard of tripping on vines.
Coward Farms also has a free corn maze for children to enjoy. On Saturdays and Sundays, Coward Farms will be putting on their Halloween Express from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coward Farms is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Coward Farms also has a free corn maze for children to enjoy. The location accepts credit cards (excluding American Express), checks and cash.
Meadowbrook Farm – East Longmeadow
Though Meadowbrook Farm and Garden Center in East Longmeadow does not have a pumpkin patch for kids to run through, there is certainly no shortage of pumpkins, large and small, to choose from.
Similar to Coward Farms and Meadow View Farm, Meadowbrook Farm features an abundance of mums, hundreds of pumpkins, straw, cornstalks, gourds of all shapes and sizes, hay, and more fall décor. On top of their fall offerings, Meadowbrook also sells fresh, farm-picked produce including seasonal favorites, spaghetti squash and acorn squash.
Eaton and I walked down aisles of pumpkins, which were primarily housed in Meadowbrook’s greenhouses, and admired the orange, white, and multi-colored pumpkins. Meadowbrook had a variety of pumpkins that I did not notice at the other farms we visited; it’s safe to say I was impressed by their stock!
Meadowbrook Farms is located at 185 Meadowbrook Rd. (off route 83), in East Longmeadow. They’re open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The farm can be reached at 525-8588.
Gooseberry Farms – West Springfield
In their quaint barn building, Gooseberry Farms sells corn on the cob, apples, a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as a variety of ice creams. Along with their edible offerings, Gooseberry Farms is host to hundreds of mums.
Along with these offerings, Gooseberry features pumpkins of many sizes, as well as gourds, hay and bundled corn stalks.
Though I hadn’t been to Gooseberry Farms in the past, it reminded me of a smaller version of Ludlow’s Randall’s Farm and Greenhouse. The location was quaint and cute, and has all of your fall decorating needs.
Gooseberry Farms is located at 201 E. Gooseberry Rd. in West Springfield. Their hours are listed online as open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Gooseberry Farms can be reached at 739-7985.
Paul Bunyan’s Farm & Nursery – Chicopee
hile Paul Bunyan’s Farm and Nursery in Chicopee is host to mums, hundreds of pumpkins and seasonal Halloween décor, both Eaton and I were shocked to know that at Paul Bunyan’s, it’s Christmas tree tagging season!
In their fields of countless Christmas trees, we couldn’t help but notice that families had already chosen their Christmas tree for the year, “tagging” it with whatever items they brought to show that a tree is unavailable. Trees were covered in streamers, hats, and even real Christmas tree decorations.
Back to the fall-appropriate offerings: Paul Bunyan’s carries six- inch, eight-inch, and 12-inch pots of mums. They also sell ornamental kale in purple and white, small and large traditional orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, bales of hay, and cornstalks.
In addition, Paul Bunyan’s is host to a rustic barn, which features numerous gift-giving items, including solar stakes, lighted glass jars, snow globes, wreaths, bells, lanterns, chimes and more.
Paul Bunyan’s Farm & Nursery is located at 500 Fuller Rd. in Chicopee and is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They accept cash and credit cards. To call the farm, dial 594-2144.
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