Abby Dehmer
Staff Writer

With the changing leaves comes popular fall harvest produce like squash and potatoes and the ever popular, pumpkins.

The Forest Lake area has some of the most unique and family orientated pumpkin patches and farms. Listed below are a variety of those pumpkin vendors in the area.

Many of the farms feature much more than just pumpkins and the best way to find out what they have, is to check them out yourself.

Tom’s Pumpkin Farm

- Lindstrom -

With 15 acres full of pumpkins, Tom’s Pumpkin Farm in Lindstrom offers area community members a chance to find the perfect pumpkin.

Pre-picked pumpkins are available as well as squash, gourds, mini pumpkins, Indian corn, pie pumpkins, straw bales and corn stalks.

U-pick pumpkins are $3, any size, you carry out. The farm is open every day, except Mondays, from 10 a.m. until dusk. It is open from now until October 31.

Tom’s Pumpkin Farm is located at 15281 Panola Drive in Lindstrom.

For more information contact the farm at 651-433-2905 or through e-mail at tomspumpkinfarm@msn.com.

Lendt’s Pumpkins Patch

- Wyoming -

Lendt’s Pumpkin Patch, located at 6903 Wyoming Trail, has a family-friendly atmosphere that will appeal to all ages.

The patch, which is run by Val Wittner and Ben Herman, has pre-picked pumpkins in a variety of shapes and sizes or they offer u-pick pumpkins over 40 acres.

They encourage customers to grab a wagon and head out to the field to pick their perfect pumpkin for $2.50.

In addition to pumpkins, Lendt’s has Indian corn, gourds, squash, hay/straw, corn stalks, broom corn bundles, giant pumpkins, painted pumpkins, “Spookerville” and a craft house.

On the weekends the patch offers mini donuts, corn dogs, nachos, pretzels, caramel apples and face painting. The apples are sold by Sunrise River Farm that are located down the road.

For larger groups Lendt’s offers hayrides seven days a week. For $5, customers can enjoy an hour-long hayride through the field to pick your own pumpkin and one large and small Indian corn. Hayrides are only given from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and reservations are required for the 15 person minimum.

On Saturday, Oct. 6 Bob FM106 will be broadcasting live from Lendt’s Pumpkin Patch from 1 to 3 p.m. If it’s raining outside, the broadcast will be rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 7.

The patch is open from now until October 31.

For more information about Lendt’s Pumpkin Patch call Val or Ben at 651-462-1516.

Hugo Animal Farm

- Hugo -

Pumpkins at the Hugo Animal Farm, located at 9441 180th St., are available for u-pick, pre-picked and pumpkins already gathered in the field. The pumpkins are available on weekend afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m.

Starting Saturday, Oct. 6 pumpkins will be available for purchase.

The barnyard is closed, but a small maze and animal petting pen are available for each visitor with a pumpkin purchase.

The farm is open weekdays and Saturday mornings, but then reservations are required.

For more information contact the farm at 651-433-4455 or visit www.hugoanimalfarm.com.

Gilbertson Farm

- Scandia -

The Gilbertson Farm in Scandia offers much more than just pumpkins at their farm.

Between the 12-acre corn maze, straw bale maze, hayrides, pedal cars and pedal trikes, a little kids play area, duck races, camp fires and face painting, there is something for everyone.

Kids can carve the pumpkins they picked out in the patch at the farm, or they can paint it on site.

The farm also features a variety of baby farm animals including a new calf, pygmy goats, baby pigs, rabbits, cats, and everyone’s friend, dog Blue.

Gilbertson’s offers u-pick and pre-picked pumpkins, as well as other produce including onions, potatoes and squash.

The farm is located at 12791 Oakhill Rd. in Scandia. For more information visit www.gilbertsonfarms.com or call the farm at 651-433-2227.

Pinehaven Farm

- Wyoming -

If you’ve never seen a pumpkin fly through the air at over 100 mph hour, then you’ve never been to the Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming.

Yep, the father-son duo John and Jeremy Hastings created the “Jack-O-Launcher,” a pumpkin launcher. The launcher, which is the first of its kind in Minnesota, can shoot 8 pound pumpkins through the air at speeds around 100 mph.

In addition to the “jack-o-launcher,” Pinehaven is also home to the “pirate cannons.” Children can climb aboard the 50 foot long pirate ship and shoot apples at targets stationed in the field.

If produce launchers are not appealing, Pinehaven has plenty to offer.

Pinehaven offers u-pick and pre-picked pumpkins, as well as crafts to decorate the pumpkins.

Beyond pumpkins, there are animals to pet and feed. From bunnies, to llamas, to donkeys to peacocks and goats, children and adults alike can walk through the Kritter Corale and visit some of their favorite animals.

There are also barnyard train rides for kids, pedal tractors, trikes, pedal go-carts, trolley hayrides to the pumpkin patch, corn and grass maze and much more.

Throughout the month, Pinehaven will have special features during the weekend. Karl Achilles will be at Pinehaven on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. with his magician and escape artist show.

Admission is $7 per person. Children ages two and under are admitted free of charge.

Pinehaven Farm is open weekdays noon to 6:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the weekends. The farm will be open from now until October 31.

The farm is located at 28186 Kettle River Blvd. in Wyoming.

For more information about Pinehaven visit www.pinehavenfarm.com or call 651-462-1704.

Waldoch Farm and Stand

- Lino Lakes -

The Waldoch Farm and Road Side Stand in Lino Lakes, located on Lake Drive, offers pumpkins, squash, okra and more.

The farm offers pickling cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, cabbage, eggplant, beets, sweet corn, melons and more.

The farm is open through the end of October, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information call 651-780-1207.

The farms, patches and stands listed above are only a handful of some of the local places in the area. To see a complete list of vendors in other communities visit http://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/minnesotagrown/ or www.localharvest.org.

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