Best pumpkin patches in Southwest Michigan

No need to sit out in a pumpkin patch hoping for the Great Pumpkin to arrive. Southwest Michigan pumpkin patches have lots of great pumpkins to pick from. Pumpkins so small they will fit in a toddler’s hands to pie pumpkins, jack-o-lantern carving pumpkins and even a few ginormous pumpkins to wow your neighborhood. Decorate your porch or home with orange, white, greenish-grey, striped, smooth and warty varieties. Pick them from fields or market stands. But come out to the farm this fall. It is so much more fun than poking around a grocery or big box store pumpkin display.

Near St. Joseph | Near South Haven | Near Dowagiac | Picking and lodging tips

Where to pumpkin hunt near St. Joseph

Barbott Farms & Greenhouse

Stevensville | Pumpkins: September-October | Call for hours: 269-422-2378

Happy fall, y’all, from Barbott’s friendly staff! They stock up on pumpkins and gourds in many sizes and shapes and offer painted pumpkins that show a little sass. It’s a good place for fall squash, mums in a rainbow of colors, straw bales, corn stalks, ornamental kale and cabbage, asters and more.

Dinges Fall Harvest

Three Oaks | Pumpkins: September-October | Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

If you want exotic or giant pumpkins, Dinges farmstead is the patch to visit. There’s a corn maze, games, monsters and ghouls to get you in the Halloween spirit. For added fun, you can go on a dinosaur hunt — one lurks around the farm.

Jollay Orchards

Coloma | Fall Harvest Festival weekends in September & October | Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Admission: $10

One visit to this orchard, and you will know why it’s been a fall tradition for generations! Find the perfect pumpkins for carving and baking, wind your way through a corn maze, take a hayride, and pick apples and grapes. There’s a not-too-spooky haunted house, outdoor games, a fishing pond and a market, too. It’s also one of Southwest Michigan’s top picks for hot or cold cider, apple cider slushies and fresh donuts.

Piggott’s Farm Market & Bakery

Benton Harbor | Pumpkins: September-October | Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Ahhh, pumpkins — there are lots of pumpkins to pick from on this long-time family farm. But there is much more than carving, baking and decorating pumpkins. Their market is chockful of delicious and nutritious apples, raspberries, squash, onions, plus gorgeous mums. And oh, the homemade pies — you will find your favorites baked or ready to stick in the oven when you get home.

Sommerfeldt’s Fruit Farm

Benton Harbor | Pumpkins: September-mid-October | Daily, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

This family-run farm was nominated as one of the best farm markets in Southwest Michigan. Stop by to pick out a pumpkin, bring home soup vegetables, fall fruits, jams and jellies and more. It’s a scenic fall drive into our countryside.

Stover’s Farm Market & U-Pic

Berrien Springs | Pumpkins: September-October | Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

This is one of our pumpkin patches that today’s grandparents remember going to as kids. They can’t wait to return with their families (or on their own) every fall. You can’t miss Stover's BIG Red Barn and smiling, round bales of hay on M-139. Take a hayride to pick pumpkins and apples. Visit the market for squash, jams, honey, maple syrup, cider and can’t-stop-eating-them apple cider donuts. The Stovers encourage you to take your time while you’re on the farm. Bring a picnic, hunt for arrowheads and look for wildlife. The fresh air is wonderful!

St. Joe Farmers Market

Lake Bluff Park, St. Joseph | Saturdays in September through mid-October | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Area farmers bring in homegrown pumpkins, seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, jams, cider, fall decorations and more. You can walk from the market to St. Joseph’s charming, Victorian-era downtown, restaurants, craft beverage tasting rooms, the beautiful St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan. Check the St. Joseph Today website for market dates.

Pumpkins on Parade

Throughout Southwest Michigan | 3rd weekend of October to October 31 | Vote for your favorite pumpkin design!

Visit St. Joseph Today in downtown St. Joseph for a list of participating locations and how to cast your vote.

Water Street Glassworks

Benton Harbor | Arts District | Limited Edition Pumpkins: September-November | Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Water Street Glassworks isn’t your typical pumpkin patch, but it’s the best place in Southwest Michigan to pick a “ripe,” unique, glass-blown collector pumpkin. They are ready now in the Dorris Akers Gallery. Each year there is a new design. They make beautiful fall decorations as well as great birthday, wedding and just-because gifts. 100% of your purchase will go to Glassworks’ non-profit Fire Up! teen program.

Find pumpkins near South Haven

Bumbleberry Acres

South Haven | Pumpkins: September-October | Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bumbleberry Acres is a fun place to pick pumpkins and wildflowers, find your way out of a corn maze, take a wagon ride, pet miniature farm animals and more.

Overhiser Orchards

South Haven | Pumpkins: September-October | Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Admission: $7

Easily fill a half-day at the century-and-a-half-old Overhiser Orchards. Find perfect pumpkins, pick apples, work your way through the baffling corn maze and feed the animals. As you put together your itinerary, consider coming here around lunchtime. Overhiser has a reputation for tasty corn dogs, Chicago-style hot dogs, hand-cut fries, fruit smoothies, cider and donuts. You can bring home fall decorations, too.

Harvest Moon Acres

Gobles | Pumpkins: September-October | Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Admission: $12 and $15

Harvest Moon Acres is a great place to combine a pumpkin patch hayride with a mini-corn maze for the little ones or a giant one for pre-teens to adults who refuse to be confused by row-after-row, towering corn stalks. After your adventures, check out their apple-cider donuts with a choice of toppings, hot or cold cider and favorite fall food and drinks.

Bring home pumpkins from near Dowagiac

Amazing Acres

Edwardsburg | Pumpkins: September-October | Wed.-Fri., 4-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Admission: $16 and $22

All ages will have a blast at Amazing Acres — 90 acres of farm fun with nearly 100 activities to fill your time. Their pumpkin patch is one of the best. The photo opportunities for your kids and their pumpkins are endless! Choose from: Grey Ghost, Cinderella, Fairytale, Jarrahdale, Autumn Buckskin and, of course, the famous KnuckleHead Pumpkin (Mr. Warty) and Red Warty Thing pumpkin varieties. Then it’s off to the corn mazes, outdoor games, the barnyard to pet the animals, hayride, Punchin’ Pumpkins Race, climbing wall and more. Your kids … and you … will sleep well tonight!

Sprague’s Family Fun Farm

Dowagiac | Pumpkins: September to mid-October | Fri.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sprague’s Family Fun Farm knows how to make fall memories. Enjoy a hayride before going to the field to pick your perfect pumpkin. Then head over to the market to choose your fall gourds, colorful corn, squash, apple cider and favorite apple varieties (yes, they have Honeycrisp). There is a playground and activities for the whole family, too.

How to pick the perfect pumpkin

When there are so many pumpkins to pick from, how do you know which ones are good for carving, baking, making soups or decorating your porch or table? Our farmers will happily answer your questions. But before you come, check out these 10 Tips for Picking the Perfect Pumpkin. Then, book a place to stay overnight — more fall fun awaits tomorrow.