From the Mail Bag - Pumpkin Patches

This weekend I was thinking it'd be fun to visit a pumpkin patch and maybe get some gourds to decorate my apartment. I'm feeling like fall. Do you know of anywhere around DC that I could do that?

Well, I guess this is where you have to ask yourself if you're going more for the pumpkins and gourds, or if you want the whole pumpkin/orchard experience.

If it's option A, there is quite the produce stand on River Road just north of the Whole Foods that had a large variety of pumpkins and squash out just last weekend. Or for that matter, you could always just stop in at the Whole Foods but that just seems wrong for some reason.

If you want the full orchard experience:

Nearest and dearest to your location in NoVa would be Cox Farms in Centreville (Coxfarms.com). On the weekend, 15$ gets you in the gate, and from there you get all the trappings of a family pumpkin farm including entertainment, games, cider, and a pumpkin from the patch.

Unfortunately, I think the experience you'd enjoy much more is farther from you, up in Germantown, MD at Butler's Orchard. (16 miles North of spur on 270). This is a full-fledged farm and orchard, with the accompanying country store. Pick a bushel of apples, grab a pumpkin at the weekend pumpkin festivals throughout October (9$ admission) and get your fall haul.

And if you're like me and like to maximize your Zipcar, this is just off Father Hurley Blvd, so there is a shopping center with a target nearby (I want to say just off exit 9 on your way back south).