Best Lakeland-Area Pumpkin Patches 2020

LAKELAND, FL —While you may not find too many genuine Florida pumpkins for Halloween, fall tradition for many families includes a visit to a local pumpkin patch. The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has caused some of the region's pumpkin patches to modify how they operate, but quite a few will be open this fall. We'll have more hours, attractions and activities as the pumpkin-picking season ramps up.

Chris Winkler of the Pumpkin Patch Florida said most of the pumpkins sold in Florida around Halloween are grown in other states.

Illinois, California and Indiana grew more pumpkins than any of the 16 states that reported statistics to the U.S. Department of Agricultural Statistics Service last year. Illinois alone produced420 million pounds of the Halloween staple.

Florida does have 73 Farms with 91 acres of pumpkins, but Florida accounts for less than 1 percent of the U.S. total production of pumpkins.

"They'll grow (here) but they need the cooler nights," Winkler told Patch. "It's 120 days from seed to harvest. My father years ago tried. We did 40 acres, and we could put all the pumpkins in a pickup truck."

In many cases, coronavirus precautions have merely changed — not shut down — area pumpkin patches and their entertainment options. Below is a list of some of our favorite pumpkin patches near Lakeland:

Harvest Holler Corn Maze

Address: 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City, FL 33868

Season opening/closing dates: September 18 through November 15

Attractions: Hayrides, animal adventures, tire swings, climb a hay mountain, slides and food.

Hours: Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: Adults $10.50, children (3-12) $8.50, seniors $8.50 and children 2 and under free.

Phone: 863-326-7910

Website

Mulberry United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch

Address: 306 North Church Avenue, Mulberry, FL

Season opening/closing dates: To be determined

Attractions: Pumpkin fun

Hours: To be determined.

Admission: Free

Phone: 863-425-3401

Website

St. John's United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch

Address: 1800 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL

Season opening/closing dates: Pumpkin delivery scheduled for Oct. 10 has been rescheduled for an undetermined date. Follow its Facebook for delivery updates.

Attractions: Family fun and activities for the kids.

Hours: To be determined.

Admission: Free

Phone: 863-324-6347

Website