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Looking for a fun way to celebrate the fall season? Fall is the perfect time to visit a pumpkin patch. Kids will love being able to go out and get pick their own pumpkin. Families will love the memories made. Also, pumpkin patches make for great pictures. Whether you are looking for a fun day out or the perfect Instagram picture of the kids sitting with pumpkins, here is a list of Denton area pumpkin patches.
2018 Denton area pumpkin patch guide
Yesterland Farm Canton Pumpkin Patch
15410 Interstate 20, Canton, TX 75103
This farm offers old-fashion fun with a twist. There are over 30+ activities to make a fun day out of the trip, including apple cannons, zombies and even a 3-acre corn maze.
Elves Farm Pumpkin Patch
601 Harvey Lane Denison, TX 75020
The Elves Farm bring in over 80,000 pounds of pumpkins, including specialty pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn to the farm each year. The Pumpkin Patch has a lot of family fun activities including a hayride, a maze, a farm zoon and a hay jump. There is also a dress your own scare crow station that makes a fun photo opportunity. There is a picnic area, snacks and drinks, gifts, arts and crafts, tours and even free coffee by request.
Blase Family Farm Pumpkin Patch
1232 E Fork Dr. Rockwall 75087
For one fee, familes are able to enjoy all the fun at the farm from the hayride and a mini pumpkin, free hot dog, and petting zoo. There is also a hay maze that is the perfect size for littles ones to enjoy.
Gunter: The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm // Preston Trail Farms
15102 State Highway 289 in Gunter, Texas
This fun farm to visit offers admission on weekdays and on the weekend. During the week, admission covers one pie pumpkin, feed for the petting zoo, a hayride, hay maze and the roping pen. On the weekends, admission is slightly more, but it includes, the farm train, hot dog, feed for the petting zoo, hayride and hay maze, and the roping pen.
Hall’s Pumpkin Farm
3420 Hall Johnson Road, Grapevine, Texas
Located in Tarrant Countyin historic Grapevine, families love Hall’s Pumpkin Farm. With pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, lots of gourds, hay stacks and corn stalks, you will find everything you need. enjoy the amazing corn maze while you are there.
Autumn at the Arboretum
8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX
While not a traditional pumpkin patch, the Pumpkin Patch at the Arbortum is a site to see. There are many fall events taking place. The Pumpkin Village is a must see, as well as the hay bale maze, scavenger hunt and the Tom Thumb Pumokin Patch. Named one of “America’s Best Pumpkin Festivals” by Fodor’s Travel and “One of the World’s 15 Most Breathtaking Gardens” by Architectural Digest
Forney: The Gentle Zoo Pumpkin Patch
12600 FM 2932, Forney, TX 75126
There are many things to do at the The Gentle Zoo Pumpkin Patch. There is a train ride, giant maze, petting zoo, animal room, GaGa Ball Pit and a gift shop. Pumpkins are prices by size for as low as $1 up to $40. With the price of admission, you will also get a pumpkin discount coupon.
Mainstay Farm Pumpkin Patch
900 W. Bethesda Rd. Cleburne, TX 76031
There is a lot going on at the Mainstay Farm. Pumpkin Day activities include a hayride and hay play and jump, the Yee Haa Express Train, The Dig, the Triple Decker Tree Fort, Spider Climb, Standing Teeter Totters and swinging trees. Kids will love the Pedal Carts, Circle of Swings, Several Maze options, like the Wooden Maze, Color Maze, Balancing Labryrinth, Up & Over Hedge Maze and the In & Out Maze. There is the Farmula 1 Trike Track, Jumping Pillow, Super Chute, Lativan Swing, and Chalk Car. Visit the Little Farmer Acres for duck racings, farmer fones, a double wide slide and Kiddie Trike Track. There is a Flying Cub junior zip line. There is also horse shoes, sand volley ball, goat scrape Mountain, farm animals to visit and sheep racing.
Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch (Double Oak Ranch)
5100 Cross Timbers Rd, Flower Mound 75028
Located west of Dallas, this pumpkin patch has it all. With a hay maze, bouncy houses, hay rides and pumpkin patch trains, it is a great place to spend time getting in some fall festivals. Bring a picnic of your own or, on the weekends, purchase food and baked goods from vendors. Besides the pumpkins available for purchase, for as low as $2, there are also gourds, squash, corn husks ad hay bales.
Shadow Creek Pumpkin Farm
1530 Indian Creek Drive, Midlothian, TX, 76065
Coming into the Shadow Creek Pumpkin Farm is a sight. Drive down the mile-long drive to the pasture. Start your day under the tree canopy then walk the pumpkin-filled paths. The farm of 10 acres of shaded fall farm adventure. There are pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, hayrides, a corn maze, swings and games. There are also vintage tractors and farm equipment to check out.
Storybook Ranch Pumpkin Patch
3701 S.Custer Road McKinney,TX 7507
The Storybrook Ranch has its own historic western town that is the perfect place to enjoy a hay ride through. Families will love the pony rides, bounce houses and petting zoo in addition to the pumpkin patch with pumpkins in many shapes, sizes and colors. Bring a picnic and spend the day.
Ways to Decorate a Pumpkin
Now that you have gone to the pumpkin patch, you need to know what to do with the pumpkin. There are many ways to decorate a pumpkin for Halloween and Fall.
Younger kids will love to use finger paints to paint their pumpkin. The fun with finger paints is, if you leave the pumpkin out where it will get rained on, the paints will wash away, and kids can paint it again. If kids do not want their paints to run off during the rain, use non water based paints and paint brushes.
Permanent Markers make a great way for kids to decorate their pumpkins. Kids can draw on the pumpkins and way they like.
Add feathers, sequins, gems and just about anything else to make the pumpkin have its own personality.
Create a story book character. Why not think of your favorite character in a book and turn your pumpkin into that character. By using simple crafting materials, it can be an easy and fun afternoon project. Each person can guess what character the others have created.
How to Carve a Pumpkin
Carving a pumpkin isn’t hard, but it does take a little planning. You will want to make sure you have the right tools and the work area should be covered. The work area should be a place that can get messy, so outdoors tends to work the best. If outdoors isn’t an option, the kitchen floor tends to work well too. Line the floor with something like brown paper bags or butcher paper. It makes for easier clean up.
While many kitchen tools will work for carving a pumpkin, that doesn’t mean that they are all safe. It is best to pick up the pumpkin carving sets that are sold at many big box stores or Halloween stores. These tools are designed to carve the pumpkin safetly and easily.
Draw on your pumpkin. It helps to draw out the design you want to put on the pumpkin before you start to carve. It allows you to be able to see the design and make sure you like it before you start to cut. It is also easier to follow the lines of the drawing when cutting. Also, while in the drawing phase, draw the lid of the pumpkin. This is the top that you will cut off in order to scrape out the insides. Draw around the stem of the pumpkin, about five or six inches. Adding a slight notch to one side will make it easier to line the lid up when putting it back on the pumpkin later.
Cut off the lid. Use a serrated knife, like the ones in the pumpkin carving kits, to cut the lid. Make sure you cut at a Make sure you cut at a 45-degree inward angle. This keeps the kid from falling inside the pumpkin.
Remove the pumpkin seeds and the guts of the pumpkin. The seeds are attached to thin strings inside the pumpkin. Scoop out the seeds. Many people like to roast the seeds and eat them as a snack. If saving the seeds, set them aside on a cookie sheet. Then scoop out the rest of the insides of the pumpkin. Use a scoop from the pumpkin carving set or a metal spoon. You will want to scrape down the side you plan to to put the design. If it is thinner, it makes it easier to carve.
Cut out the design. Once the pumpkin is cleaned out, it is time to carve. Cut away the design you drew earlier. Start by cutting away the larger area and the basic shapes.
Fine tune the design. Once the basic part of the design is cut out, it is time to clean up the design. Now you will cut out the smaller pieces and clean up the edges.
Add a light and replace the lid. Add a candle to the pumpkin. Some people use an actual tea light candle that get lit nightly. Another option is to use a battery operated tea light candle. These are sold in many places, including dollar stores and big box stores. These battery operated candles might not flicker like a r eal candle but they are safer since there is no worry of the candle being tipped over. Once you have added a light, simply replace the lid back on the pumpkin, lining up the notch that you cut in earlier. Now the pumpkin is ready for display.
If it is easier to watch someone carving a pumpkin rather than reading about it, here is a youtube video showing step by step how to carve a pumpkin.
If you are looking for great tips to create different looks with your pumpkin, you will love this video.
Carved pumpkins do not last very long. You will see each day it will look a little more withered than the day before.
Ways to Make a Carved Pumpkin Last Longer
After buying the perfect pumpkin at the Denton Area Pumpkin Patch of your choice, and working hard to carve it to perfection, you will want to make it last as long as possible. Pumpkins start to decompose and wither because of bacteria that can cause mold and the pumpkin becomes dehydrated. Here are some simple ways to make the pumpkin last longer.
Bleach Bath
After the pumpkin is carved give it a bath on bleach water. You do not need a lot of bleach in the water, about one teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water. So the pumpkin for about four-six hours. Occasionally pour the water through the holes and turn it around in the water.
Another option is to spray the pumpkin with bleach water daily. This will keep the pumpkin fresh each day.
Vaseline
Once the pumpkin is carved, you can apply vaseline to the pumpkin. Apply vaseline all over the carved parts of the pumpkin as well as on the inside. While this is a messy task, it does work great.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a great way to keep the pumpkin hydrated. If you do not have mineral oil on hand, another option is to use WD40. The main ingredient in WD40 is mineral oil. The mineral oil will keep the pumpkin from dying out.
Cooking Oil
Cooking oil is another great option to keep the pumpkin hydrated and from drying out. Vegetable oil or even coconut oil is a great choice to keep the pumpkin lasting longer.
Enjoy these family friendly pumpkin patches in the Denton area. Visit one or visit them all. Now that you have gotten the perfect pumpkin, carved it beautifully, and preserved it, you can line your front porch with simple Halloween fun.
Cogburn’s Heating and AC Maintenance Plan
If you are looking for Denton area pumpkin patches, there is no shortage of amazing pumpkin farms in our cool town or nearby. Be sure to have your HVAC system working at its optimal performance. No one wants to come home to a hot house after enjoying the cooler temps out and about in the Denton area.
To keep your AC system in its best performance, make sure to have the system cleaned and routine maintenance performed regularly. A Denton Texas air conditioning company, Cogburn’s Heating and Air offers maintenance plans in order to stay ahead of routine care. Let the professionals find problems before it gets started.
Call Cogburn’s Heating and Air at 1-866-523-8762.
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