Updated, October 2023.
This may be a controversial topic for some, but I’m a firm believer that Autumn is the best season for produce. Don’t get me wrong, I love my strawberries and watermelons, but nothing can beat fall flavors. Fresh apple cider, warm cinnamon buns, and the grand-daddy of them all: pumpkin. Pumpkin everything. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin soup, pumpkin pecan butter—and I’d be remiss not to mention pumpkin spice lattes. The point is, as soon as September hits, if it ain’t got pumpkin, I ain’t eatin’ it. Beyond that, I rarely had more fun as a kid than I did trucking out to the farm, picking out a big, fat pumpkin and carving it into a jack-o’-lantern. Whether you’re the kind of person who buys a PSL on September 1st, or the kind who denies the end of summer until your short shorts give you frostbite, there’s no denying that one of life’s simplest and greatest joys is that of a pumpkin. To make sure you don’t miss out on the season’s greatest tradition, we’re here to introduce you to a few of the Best Pumpkin Patches around Lake Norman.
Josh’s Farmers Market
Established in 1990, Josh’s Farmers Market has been selling fresh produce in Mooresville since its founder, Josh, was just ten years old. What began as a wheelbarrow full of melons has since grown into a community pillar and a prime destination for local produce, seafood, and dairy. Around the holidays, the stands at Josh’s carry everything from seasonal flowers and fresh pickings to festive decor: which of course, includes pumpkins of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Whether you’re looking for a standard orange or a specialty heirloom, you’re sure to find one to call your own at Josh’s.
Pricing: Market.
Location: Check their website.
Mountain Man Farms
Ryan Moser is a farmhand, husband, and self-proclaimed lover of the fall season. “[Selling pumpkins] is fun, and people are happy,” he says—so fun and happy, in fact, that not even a relocation could stop him from selling his beloved gourds. After moving to Concord for his wife’s job, the pair knew they wanted to bring a piece of their Ashe County farm with them. In October 2020, Mountain Man Farms packed up its pumpkins and set up shop on Poplar Tent, where it will be returning this year for the same gig.
Mountain Man Farms Facebook Page
Pricing: Varies per pumpkin.
Availability: Mid-September – Late October. Open
Location: 6600 Poplar Tent Road Concord, NC 28027
B&B Farm
Just under a decade ago, the Bradford family set out to accomplish their dream of creating a sustainable community farm in their hometown of Lincolnton, NC. With only a mother cow, her calf, and a little bit of faith, the family grew their farm into a prosperous beacon of produce and positivity in the years that followed. The farm is now open to the public and hosts many events, including field trips, parties, bonfires, and an annual pumpkin patch. Patch attendees will have the opportunity to experience a variety of B&B’s facilities, including wagon rides, playground access, and a farm animal meet-and-greet! Each guest will also receive a complimentary souvenir pumpkin in addition to the larger pumpkins available for purchase.
www.bnbfarmnc.com
Pricing: $11 admission fee for all patrons over the age of 2.
Availability: Weekends in October. Open Sat. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, and Sun. 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Location: 981 Hill Road, Lincolnton NC
Hodges Family Farm
Nobody knows a good, old-fashioned time quite like Charlotte’s longest-running family farm: the Hodges Family Farm. After losing out on the season in 2020, the farm is pleased to announce that it’s pumpkin patch will be back in operation as of late September 2021! Guests will get to meet the barnyard animals, climb the hay mountain, and take home a pumpkin of their very own. Hodges also peddles farmstand treats like kettle corn and funnel cakes to fuel your fun-filled day, as well as a number of themed photo opportunities. Don’t forget to bring your cash and cameras!
www.hodgesfarmnc.com
Availability: September 25 – October 31. Open 9 AM – 5:30 PM daily.
Location: 3900 Rocky River Road East, Charlotte, NC 28215
Whether you plan to carve your pumpkins, bake them into pies, or simply plop them on your porch, we’d love to see you having fun and supporting our local farmers! Tag us in your pumpkin posts @the_best_of_lkn on Instagram!