An afternoon spent at Conklin Farms U-Pick in Montville, NJ was well worth the experience.
Six friends left their husbands and kids at home to enjoy a day in the Autumn sun, picking pumpkins to carve, cook with and paint.
We were lucky to arrive and not be overwhelmed by too many people.
We had the best of the Fall harvest available to us.
Plan your pumpkin-picking day so you can go with you family or friends during a weekday afternoon.
If not, go earlier enough in the day during the weekend.
Don't wait until the last minute or all the good pumpkins will be gone.
If available, grab a wheel barrel to carry your pumpkins.
As soon as we got into Conklin Farms that was the first thing we did.
Next, we scoped out the place.
We saw all different species of pumpkins, apples, goats, rabbits, hayrides, and kids painting pumpkins.
We decided to start off with everything else but pumpkin picking.
We visited Bunnyville, watched the goats play, poked our heads through cute cutout posters and learned what each pumpkin species is good for.
Then it came down to do what we came there to do.
Pick some pumpkins.
When you go pumpkin picking, you need to know what size and type of pumpkin you want.
If it's for carving, you may want to pick a big one with enough room to carve.
Small ones are good to paint on for kids.
Also, ask the people who own the patch about which pumpkins are best for cooking or baking.
Sometimes the least pretty pumpkin is the most sweet.
Make sure you complete the day with a haunted hayride.
It wouldn't be Halloween without a little fright.
Pumpkin picking is a fun experience for adults, teens and kids.
Go with your family or take a break from the kids and go with friends.
Either way, it's definitely a Fall activity everyone should do.