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A gourd guide: Where to pick pumpkins in Central Florida

AJ Moore , a youth member at the Community United Methodist Church in Casselberry, carries a load of pumpkins through the church's pumpkin patch during a previous year. 
(Orlando Sentinel file)
AJ Moore , a youth member at the Community United Methodist Church in Casselberry, carries a load of pumpkins through the church’s pumpkin patch during a previous year. (Orlando Sentinel file)
Patrick Connolly is a multimedia journalist with the Orlando Sentinel.
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Unlike northern states, where the changing leaves and crisp autumn air mark the changing seasons, Orlando is lucky to find an evening that dips below 70 degrees, even into October.

Still, Floridians like to celebrate by picking pumpkins and carving them — although it’s best to wait until close to Halloween to avoid the chance of rotting gourds on the front porch.

All around Central Florida, there are churches, farms and businesses that truck in pumpkins from faraway lands in the name of fall-themed fun. Here are two dozen pumpkin patches to enjoy in the Orlando area. Be sure to verify hours and details before heading out.

Kasheta Farms Pumpkin Patch 

Run by founders Caitlin and Nick Kasheta, this Apopka community farm brings a pumpkin patch to Propagate Social House.

HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays  through Oct. 31

ADDRESS: 40 E. 5th St. in Apopka

MORE INFO: kashetafarms.com

Club Lake Plantation Fall Festival

This wedding venue and ranch hosts a fall festival with hay rides, a corn maze, a country store, family-friendly activities and a pumpkin patch.

HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays-Sundays through Oct. 29

ADDRESS: 3403 Rock Springs Road in Apopka

PRICE: $16.95 per person, infants are free

MORE INFO: clublakeplantation.com

Hagerty Farms Pumpkin Patch

Located at Hagerty High School, this pumpkin patch is free to enter and pet-friendly, carrying varieties of gourds from carving pumpkins to heirlooms and everything in between. Pricing guidance is listed online.

HOURS: 3-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 3-8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

ADDRESS: 3225 Lockwood Blvd. in Oviedo

MORE INFO: hagertyfarms.com

CPC Celebration Pumpkin Patch

The Community Presbyterian Church in Celebration hosts its annual pumpkin patch.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday through Oct. 31

ADDRESS: 511 Celebration Ave. in Celebration

MORE INFO: commpres.org

East Lake Pumpkin Patch

Hosted by the East Lake County Chamber of Commerce, the 16th annual pumpkin patch brings gourds to the community ranging in price from $1-$60. Cash, checks, Venmo and credit cards are accepted.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through Oct. 31

ADDRESS: 24214 Sorrento Ave. in Sorrento

MORE INFO: elcchamber.com

Sarah Noelle, 2, selects a pumpkin on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at the annual Trinity Church patch in Eustis. (Orlando Sentinel file)
Sarah Noelle, 2, selects a pumpkin at the 2015 Trinity Church patch in Eustis. (Orlando Sentinel file)

Trinity Church Pumpkin Patch

Each year, the church takes delivery of more than 3,000 pumpkins. Families are also welcome to explore picture booths, a kids play zone, Friday night movies and a harvest party.

HOURS: 3-7 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends Oct. 7-31

ADDRESS: 890 Abrams Road in Eustis

MORE INFO: trinityfree.com

First Church of Oviedo Pumpkin Patch

Support this Oviedo church’s youth ministry by purchasing pumpkins from the volunteer-run patch. Options include carving pumpkins, heirlooms, minis, snowballs and gourds.

HOURS: 2-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

ADDRESS: 263 King St. in Oviedo

MORE INFO: fcoviedo.com

First United Methodist Church of Apopka Pumpkin Patch

This Apopka church has a pumpkin patch and a scarecrow trail for families to enjoy, plus special activities throughout the month of October.

HOURS: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday Oct. 8-31

ADDRESS: 201 S. Park Ave. in Apopka

MORE INFO: facebook.com

Markham Woods Presbyterian Church Pumpkin Patch

This Seminole County church hosts a pumpkin patch during the second half of October, plus a one-day Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 21.

HOURS: Oct. 14-31

ADDRESS: 5210 Markham Woods Road in Lake Mary

MORE INFO: mwpcusa.org

Orlando fall festivals, corn mazes: Where to celebrate the season in Central Florida

TUMC Pumpkin Patch 

The Tuskawilla United Methodist Church brings pumpkins to the community during the month of October.

HOURS: Oct. 12-31

ADDRESS: 3925 Red Bug Lake Road in Casselberry

MORE INFO: facebook.com/TuskawillaUMC

Trinity Baptist Church Pumpkin Patch

This annual family-friendly event celebrates the fall season and connects with the community with tons of pumpkins, games and a bounce house on Saturdays. Proceeds benefit the church’s outreach and mission.

HOURS: 1-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; Noon-7 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 31

ADDRESS: 1022 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka

MORE INFO: tbcapopka.org

College Park United Pumpkin Patch

This community pumpkin patch brings gourds to College Park.

HOURS: 4-7 p.m. weeknights, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends Oct. 15-30

ADDRESS: 644 W. Princeton St. in Orlando

MORE INFO: cpumc.org

Great Scott Farms

Formerly known as Scott’s Maze Adventures, this Mount Dora family farm has a fall festival with a corn maze, farmer’s market, children’s activities, entertainment and a pumpkin patch.

HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Nov. 26 (market open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday)

ADDRESS: 21216 Country Road 448A in Mount Dora

PRICE: $15 per person before fees; children ages 3 and younger enter for free

MORE INFO: visitgreatscott.com

Oakland Presbyterian Church Pumpkin Patch

Find some “old-fashioned fall fun” with plenty of sizes, types and price points of pumpkins to choose from. Proceeds benefit the church’s ministries and community charities.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Oct. 14-31

ADDRESS: 218 E. Oakland Ave. in Oakland

MORE INFO: facebook.com/opc125

Central Parkway Baptist Church Pumpkin Patch

Located near SeaWorld Orlando, this church provides pumpkins (from 75 cents to $40) and tips on how to preserve carved jack-o’-lanterns. Proceeds benefit youth camp and mission work.

HOURS: 1-8 p.m. Sunday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday Oct. 7-31

ADDRESS: 5281 Central Florida Parkway in Orlando

MORE INFO: cpbcorlando.com

Sanlando Pumpkin Patch

Proceeds from this Longwood church’s pumpkin patch benefit youth ministry camps and service trips. Cash and cards are accepted.

HOURS: 2-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 1-8 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 31

ADDRESS: 1890 W. State Road 434 in Longwood

MORE INFO: sanlando.org

Painted Oaks Academy Pumpkin Patch

This equestrian academy east of Orlando is hosting its annual fall festival with pony rides, pumpkins, a petting zoo and a corn maze next door.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct. 8-31

ADDRESS: 15100 Lake Pickett Road in Orlando

PRICE: $12 per adult on weekdays; $14 per adult on weekends. Discounts available for children (ages 3-17) and UCF students. Online advance tickets available.

MORE INFO: paintedoaksacademy.com

Arianna Gonzalez, 4, of Casselberry picked her pumpkin out during a previous patch at the Community United Methodist Church pumpkin patch in Casselberry. (Orlando Sentinel file)
Arianna Gonzalez, 4, of Casselberry, picked her pumpkin out during a previous patch at the Community United Methodist Church in Casselberry. (Orlando Sentinel file)

Community United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch 

This church pumpkin patch has been open during the month of October for more than 25 years.

HOURS: Noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 1-9 p.m. Sunday in October

ADDRESS: 4921 S. U.S. Highway 17/92 in Casselberry

MORE INFO: casselberrychurch.org

Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch

This is the eighth year the Clermont farm’s fall festival, which features live music, food trucks, craft beer and wine, flat-screen TVs for football games, farm wagon rides and kids games. Pick from white pumpkins, heirlooms, jumbo jacks, minis, stem pies and tiger stripes.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursdays-Sundays through Nov. 12

ADDRESS: 16651 Schofield Road in Clermont

PRICE: $21.95 per person (before fees). Tickets must be purchased in advance. Children who are two and younger enter for free.

MORE INFO: southernhillfarms.com

Amber Brooke Farms

This Florida family farm hosts visitors for live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, a hayride, a sunflower field and more. Visitors can snack on kettle corn or have lunch while exploring all the offerings.

HOURS: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays through Oct. 29

ADDRESS: 36111 County Road 44A in Eustis

PRICE: $15 online, $17 at the door. Children who are two and younger enter for free.

MORE INFO: atwoodfamilyfarm.com

Sunsational Farms

This Umatilla farm brings family fun to visitors with a pumpkin patch, carnival games, bounce houses, ice cream, face painting, food trucks and more. Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail pops up on select nights for visitors looking for a fright.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 28

ADDRESS: 40541 Roger Giles Road in Umatilla

PRICE: Free parking and admission; activity ticket prices vary

MORE INFO: facebook.com

Showcase of Citrus Pumpkin Ponderosa

At Clermont’s Showcase of Citrus, join in some fall fun during the fifth annual Pumpkin Ponderosa. Families can pick pumpkins, feed farm animals, enjoy fall-themed arts and crafts, play outdoor games and indulge in autumn bites and beverages. Highlights include fresh orange juice mimosas, creamsicles and fruit slushies.

HOURS: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily

ADDRESS: 5010 U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont

PRICE: Free admission; some activities extra

MORE INFO: showcaseofcitrus.com

Santa’s Fall Fun Farm

In Eustis, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest transforms into a destination for fall fun, now celebrating 16 years of the “A Lot of Pumpkins” pumpkin patch. The farm features horse and pony rides, a bounce pillow, a maze and other children’s activities. Families can also opt to visit the petting zoo, take a hayride or explore food and drink options.

HOURS: Open select dates through Oct. 30 (check website for hours)

ADDRESS: 35317 Huff Road in Eustis

PRICE: Admission prices start at $9 and vary by date

MORE INFO: santaschristmastreeforest.com/pumpkins

Partin Ranch Corn Maze

This farm, about 13 miles south of St. Cloud, features crop mazes, a pumpkin patch, kids’ activities, combine harvester rides, vendors, pony rides and more. The farm advises visitors to bring cash for vendors and to check their Facebook page for closures based on weather.

HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Oct. 7-29

ADDRESS: 5601 N. Canoe Creek Road in Kenansville

PRICE: $15 for those ages three and older, $25 for season passes (discounts for military, first responders, seniors, groups and scouts in uniform)

MORE INFO: partinranchcornmaze.com

Harvest Holler Corn Maze

This “down-home farm” near Lakeland features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals, hayride, a “hay mountain,” miniature golfing, a store with Maw-Maw’s homemade goods and Paw Paw’s Vittles for some “country fixins.”

HOURS: 4-8 p.m. Fridays, noon-8 p.m. Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 12

ADDRESS: 950 Tavares Road in Polk City

PRICE: Kids ages 2-12, those 65 and older, military are $12, Adults 13 and older are $15. Attractions are included in the price.

MORE INFO: harvestholler.com

Did I miss any pumpkin patches? Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.