For the perfect pumpkin, fall back on these 11 places in the Wilmington area

Cheryl M. Whitaker, Wilmington StarNews
·4 min read
Pictured from Sept. 29, 2011, from left to right brothers Kenneth White and Jeffrey Sikes Jr. pick out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch operated by Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.
Pictured from Sept. 29, 2011, from left to right brothers Kenneth White and Jeffrey Sikes Jr. pick out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch operated by Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.

Fall has arrived and now is the time to find those perfect pumpkins. The United States is one of the world's top producers of pumpkins.

Here is a list of pumpkin patches, markets and garden centers in the Wilmington area to pick your perfect pumpkin.

Did we miss yours? Let us know by emailing cheryl.whitaker@starnewsonline.com.

New Hanover

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

The Pumpkin Patch at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church returns for its 33rd year. Located at South College Road in Wilmington, the pumpkin patch will be open Sept. 30 through Oct. 31 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 12:30-6 p.m. Sundays. The public can drop by and take photos. Pumpkin prices begin at $1 and go up by size. There are also swan gourds, winged gourds, and more.  Daycare centers, preschools, and elementary schools are invited to come to a free story time in October by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. To schedule a story time, please email youth@welcometowesley.com.  

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St. Paul's United Methodist Church

Celebrating over 20 years on Pleasure Island, the Pumpkin Patch at St. Paul's United Methodist Church will open Saturday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. offering a variety of pumpkins in many shapes, sizes and colors. Regular hours will be from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-7 p.m. Sundays. The church is located at 300 Harper Ave. in Carolina Beach. School field trips are welcome, to schedule call 910-458-5310 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. All profits from the sale of pumpkins benefit children’s gifts and their needs for Christmas.

Amber Dale's Pumpkin Patch

Amber Dale’s Pumpkin Patch, a local family-owned business located at 2307 N. College Road in Wilmington, will have thousands of pumpkins available in October. Hours: 1-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

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Barr Evergreens Christmas Trees and Pumpkin Patch

Now at a new location on 37 Covil Ave. in Wilmington, pumpkins will be available beginning Friday, Sept. 29. Open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Details: 336-977-3100.

Biggers Market

Biggers Market offers 30 varieties of pumpkins at two locations in Wilmington: 6250 Market St. and 6458 Carolina Beach Road. They also carry, hay bales, Indian corn, corn stalks, mums and more. Hours: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Fridays, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.

Trask Family Farms

Located at 3650 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne, Trask Family Farms will have a pumpkin patch and also feature white pumpkins. Opening for the season 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28. Hours after Sept. 28 will be 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. Details: 910-617-4812.

Piles of pumpkins at Indigo Farms in southern Brunswick County.
Piles of pumpkins at Indigo Farms in southern Brunswick County.

Brunswick

Indigo Farms Market

Located at 1542 Hickman Road NW in Calabash, the farm will soon open for pumpkin patch activities. Pumpkins also will be available. The on-farm market hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Stump Hill Farm

Stump Hill Farm, an agritourism park, located at 2030 Ash Little River Road, NW, Ash, will have a pumpkin patch for ages 2-12. Opening 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 and every Saturday in October. Details: 910-231-0044.

Pender

In this photo from Oct. 2007, five-year-old Josie Boyd of Hampstead picks a pumpkin at the Hampstead United Methodist Church Youth Pumpkin Patch.
In this photo from Oct. 2007, five-year-old Josie Boyd of Hampstead picks a pumpkin at the Hampstead United Methodist Church Youth Pumpkin Patch.

Hampstead United Methodist Church

The church is holding its annual Pumpkin Patch. Festivities will kick off with a “Pumpkin Toss” on Saturday, Sept. 30 beginning at 9 a.m. Volunteers in the community are needed, assembly-line style, to help unload a truck of thousands of pumpkins. Another "pumpkin toss" will be held Saturday, Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. The Pumpkin Patch will be open through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. Participants are welcome to take photos. A family night party at the patch is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28. The party will be cider, games, live music and more. The church is located in central Hampstead at 15395 U.S. 17 beside the Dunkin' Donuts. The Pumpkin Patch sales benefit the youth group at the church.

Pender Pines Garden Center

Located at 20949 U.S. 17 N., Hampstead, the center will be selling pumpkins, gourds, heirloom pumpkins and cornstalks. A kid's maze and some pumpkin themed workshops will be held in October. The garden center is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. For more information, call 910-270-2706.

Johnson Nursery

The Garden Center at Johnson Nursery, located at 985 Johnson Nursery Road in Willard, will have pumpkins. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays. They also have "warty" pumpkins, a variety of gourds, mums and other fall annuals.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Where to get pumpkins in Wilmington