Pumpkin Picking at Sopley Farm
My kids have been nagging me to go pumpkin picking for ages.
The last few years we have been away for Halloween so we never managed it, however, we are at home for October half term, so there was no excuse.
Sopley Farm, set on the edge of the New Forest, is our closest Pick Your Own farm that has a pumpkin patch and we headed across to visit last weekend.
Sopley Farm grow nearly 20 different fruit and vegetables. Some are grown for Pick Your Own, and some for selling ready picked through their farm shop so if you don’t fancy traipsing through a muddy field then you can swing past and grab any size pumpkin you like.
First of all we introduced ourselves at the shop and were pointed in the direction of two pumpkin fields and picked up a wheel barrow to help us carry our treasure.
The kids raced off in search of pumpkins and we were soon facing a field of orange.
There were small ones, tall ones, fat ones, thin ones, orange ones, green ones…….
The only problem we had was choosing the perfect pumpkin.
Eliza had to have the biggest whereas Isaac was on the hunt for the roundest one he could find.
Sebby did try and find a large one but after several attempts at lifting it, gave up and chose a smaller one instead.
Our perfect pumpkins selected, it was time to head back to the shop.
Upon arriving back at the shop we spotted the second pumpkin field behind it, so headed there just to check we had made the correct choice.
This field was full of much smaller pumpkins so I set the kids a challenge – to find the smallest pumpkin they could find!
They did such a good job that we ended up with a large pumpkin to carve and a small pumpkin to paint.
How to pick the perfect Pumpkin
- Pick a Pumpkin that is firm and heavy for its size
- Check it has consistent colouring all over
- Turn the Pumpkin over and place pressure on the bottom with your thumbs. If it flexes or gives, the pumpkin is not fresh
- Choose a Pumpkin with a solidly attached stem – a green stem indicates it has been freshly harvested
- Place your pumpkin on a flat surface to ensure it will sit flat after being carved
- Look for soft spots, mould, wrinkles and cuts as these indicate early spoilage
- Round or oval pumpkins carve more easily
Pumpkins finally selected it was time to head to the shop and pay.
The price of pumpkins was on a par with the price in the supermarket, but it was much more fun roaming around a field getting some colour in our cheeks, rather than digging around a in a large bin in a supermarket.
Have you been pumpkin picking before?
Leave your recommendations below!
Helena
We’ve yet to take a trip to our local pyo for a pumpkin. It’s lovely to see the kids enjoying this seasonal activity. #CountryKids
Gemma
this looks like such a fun family activity and a bit of exercise too, much more fun than popping to tesco for one
Karen (Stopping At Two)
I love your pictures! I have to admit I have never really bothered with pumpkin patches in the UK, as I have seen photos from some AMAZING ones in the States and I am not sure any in this country can live up to those. Looks like yours had fun, and much better than getting a pumpkin from a supermarket!
#countrykids
Helen
This looks so much fun. Pumpkin picking is something I would love to do, we just never seem to around to it and then it’s all over for the year. The prices here seem really good. I love the little pumpkins too, they’re so cute!
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)
Selecting a pumpkin from a field always looks like so much fun. Love the small pumpkins and the tips on how to select a good one are very useful. #countrykids
Sherry
We live near the New Forest yet have never been there – must look into it this year – I’m ashamed to say that J made me pick her first pumpkin in September! #CountryKids
Clare Nicholas
Mine are desperate to do this, we’ve not managed yet as when I remember there are none left….bad Mummy
mrsS
You have totally made me want to go pumpkin picking!!! beautiful Autumn photos and lots of smiles. Perfect ! #countrykids
Sarah
Awww how fun! I’ve never been pumpkin picking, but I’d love to take my kids one day soon!
Coombe Mill
I’ve really enjoyed seeing all your photos from here on Instagram this week. What a wonderful pumpkin patch you have there and I do like your tips for finding the perfect pumpkin, nothing worse than coming home and it not lasting to Halloween. I think I should have a pumpkin field at Coombe Mill, I don’t know any in Cornwall to visit.
Thank you for sharing your day out on #CountryKids
Michelle Twin Mum
What a great place, my kids woudl love to go there and pick a pumpkin each. Will you be carving them? Mich x
Jenni
We went pumpkin picking last week and really enjoyed it. I like that it has become more popular x
Kate Williams
we’ve been pumpkin picking before but the pumpkins there were delivered from Asda! Kids still enjoyed it though 😉 Your place looks fab and very reasonable priced too.
Lynne Harper
I just saw our local farm are doing something similar to this this year and I can’t wait to take the boys. Looks like so much fun was had 🙂
Lucy Melissa Smith
Ooh wow, this looks awesome! We’re going pumpkin picking on Monday and I’m SO excited 🙂 x
Ana De- Jesus
Aw I love the idea of pumpkin picking and of course the pumpkins are more photogenic then I could be. I love the look of ‘sopley farm.
Mel
Pumpkin picking looks like so much fun! I haven’t been before but now I want to
Gareth Torrance
I cannot wait until my daughter is a bit older and we can go pumpkin picking! 😀
Beautykinguk
I really want to go and pick my own pumpkins having seen all these posts about it. I used to grow my own but just haven’t had the time.
Sarah Burns
We intended to go pumpkin picking, but we ended up with a sickness bug that has taken ages to shift. Maybe next year…..
Dena
I have NEVER been Pumpkin picking! i really want to go! x
Folakemi
Love this idea of pumpkin picking need to try this with my 4 year old it’s half term next week so we’ll see. Lovely photos it looks like so much fun
Amanda
I so want to go pumpkin picking! This looks like so much fun. Bet it will be fun to carve and imagine the recipes you can make with the pumpkins!
Tahiti Le Blog
What a great experience! I want to go pumpkin picking too!
may
aww what a lovely read. pictures are cute
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
This looks like so much fun. We have never been pumpkin picking I don’t think there is anywhere near us that we can do it.