Pumpkin Patch Guide To Santa Cruz, Nearby: 2020

SANTA CRUZ, CA — With just 23 days to go until Halloween, time is ticking to get those pumpkins picked and carved.

Though we are living through unprecedented times with many activities closed or altered in some fashion, there are still some options when it comes to finding a pumpkin patch near Novato.

Once there, be sure to look for a pumpkin with a firm stem.

"That's a great indicator of how healthy it is," horticulturist Steve Reiners told NPR. If the stem is along the rubbery side, "chances are rot organisms will start to soften the pumpkin quickly."

And when you carve that perfect pumpkin, you can plan on it lasting up to 10 days before it starts to show signs of aging. However, if you want to make it last longer, you can mix three teaspoons of bleach with three gallons of water and spray the solution throughout, according to Clorox.

The perfect temperature to store your pumpkin? That’ll be about 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, Reiners said.

Here are the pumpkin patches near Santa Cruz:

Cuny Farms/The Great Pumpkin Patch

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Address: 2124 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz
Season opening/closing dates: Oct. 1 to Oct. 31

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Pricing: Free admission

Phone: (831) 479-4152

Website: cunyfarms.com

Post Street Farm
Address: 122 Post St., Santa Cruz

Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Pricing: Free admission
Phone: (831) 251-2946
Website: facebook.com/poststreetfarm

Rodoni Farms
Address: 4444 Highway 1, Davenport
Season opening/closing dates: Sept. 26 to Oct. 31
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Pricing: Free admission
Phone: (831) 426-0666
Website: rodonifarms.com

Clearview Orchards
Address: 646 Trabing Road, Watsonville
Season opening/closing dates: Sept. 26 to Oct. 31
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Pricing: Free admission
Phone: (831) 722-1056
Website: clearvieworchards.com
Note: Pumpkins are not on the vine but are for sale. Apple-picking is also available here, as are fall goodies such as gourds, squash and turnovers.
Crystal Bay Farm
Address: 40 Zils Road, Watsonville
Season opening/closing dates: September to Oct. 31
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Pricing: $2 entrance fee
Phone: (831) 724-4137
Website: crystalbayfarm.com

If we missed your favorite pumpkin patch or Halloween event, be sure to share it with readers in the comments section.

SEE ALSO:
10 Bay Area Haunts To Visit This October
10 California Pumpkin Patches You Can Still Visit In 2020