Ahhhhh…..fall is finally upon us. Bonfires. Football games. Crisp air….and pumpkin EVERYTHING. Pumpkin is definitely a season more than a vegetable around this group. Pumpkin scented candles, pumpkin muffins, and of course, wait in line for that first, delicious pumpkin spice latte.
If you’re as excited about pumpkin season as we are, you know that a big part of this season is picking your own pumpkin. We are blessed here in Dayton to have an abundance of family farms to choose from. This list is in no way exhaustive and I’d encourage you to comment on your family’s favorite place below if it’s not featured. These are just a few of our local favorites!
Make sure you check out our other Fall Guides as well.
Local U-pick Apple Orchards
Tuken's Orchard & Farm Market
Are you looking for FRESH? Then you can’t go wrong this Fall at Tuken’s Orchard & Farm Market! Gourds, Indian corn, acorn squash, and pumpkins – everything you need to make your Fall heart happy. While you are there, check out the “Critter Corral”, navigate the kid’s patch just next to the petting zoo and stop by their farm market store for even more delicious goodies to take home. Freshly picked vegetables and a plethora of their own fruit preserves, pickles, sauces, & healthy snacks and even an old-fashioned candy counter. Tuken’s will begin harvesting their pumpkins at the beginning of September. All pumpkins (pick your own or pre-picked) are priced by weight. Wagons are available free of charge.
Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday 11am-5pm
DMB Tip – Tuken’s is also a great destination for U-Pick Apples in the Fall!
South Dayton
Kleather’s Pumpkin Patch
90 W. Central Avenue; Springboro
Pumpkin Field Opens September 8, 10am-dark daily
Located in the heart of Springboro, this family (one of our very own DMB Mamas, in fact!) farm truly makes its visitors feel like a part of their family. If you’re looking for charm and a great place to take little ones, this is the place to go. Don’t want to tramp through fields? Kleather’s has pre-picked pumpkins, gourds, and other fall decorations laid out so that you can “pick your own” without having to literally pick your own.
DMB Tip: Bring a camera. Kleather’s is home to a giant pumpkin carriage and pumpkin train, perfect for a great fall family picture!
Iron’s Fruit Farm
1640 Stubbs Mill Road; Lebanon
Last weekend in September and all weekends in October
Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch where you can grab that perfect pumpkin and some awesome gourds. Make sure you get a ticket to enjoy the corn maze while you are out there. They change it every year and it’s always a good time.
DMB Tip: Make sure you stop into their store to purchase an apple fritter… they are AMAZING!
Bonnybrook Farms
3779 St. Route 132; Clarksville
September 29-October 28, Saturday 12pm-7pm & Sundays 12pm-6pm
Pick the perfect pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch; take an Adventure Wagon Ride with professional theater actors; find your way through the Corn Maze; pet and brush the friendly Farm Animals and Ride a Pony; play a round of Clodhopper Golf or try your skills at Giant Slingshots and Archery.
DMB Tip: Plan your visit around lunch to take advantage of the home cooked goodness in the Farm Kitchen Cafe.
Hidden Valley Fruit Farm
5474 N St. Route 48; Lebanon
Pumpkin & Cidar Festival: October 6 & October 7
Weekend festivals featuring our favorite HVO crops will always headline with a supporting cast of family farm fun, face painting, delicious food and exciting entertainment.
DMB Tip: They have added a fun “Pumpkin Chunking” event this year. Open on the weekends from late September through the final JACK-0-LANTERN junking weekend the first weekend of November.
Windmill Farm Market
1454 E State Route 73; Springboro
Saturday and Sundays 11am-5pm
Weekends are a great time to check out Pumpkin Land for the full fall experience. Their hayride includes educational information about how pumpkins survive and grow, views of the farm animals, and much more. The30-minute trip takes you up and down hills, through the mud, and back to the pumpkin patch.
DMB Tip: Make sure you check out the onsite bakery and the play areas for the kiddos after the hayride.
East Dayton
Young’s Jersey Dairy
6880 Xenia Springfield Rd. (Route 68), Yellow Springs
Pumpkin Field Opens Sept. 22, 11am-6pm daily
With pumpkins, mini-golf, a barn full of animals, and ice cream, Young’s Jersey Dairy is a great place to take your family to get a pumpkin if you’re looking to make a day out of it. Pick your own pumpkins are $8 regardless of size and includes a hayride to and from the field.
DMB Tip: Try to go on a weekday or early in the season. Young’s is very popular and can get crowded.
Peifer Orchards
4590 US Route 68, Yellow Springs
Pumpkin crop prediction had not been announced at time of publication. Peifer’s is open daily from 10 am- 6 pm, Saturdays 10 -5 and Sundays 12-5
It’s a charming family farm featuring a variety of fresh produce and sweet, knowledgeable staff who would be happy to tell you more about their working farm. Check their website for what produce is available as the season changes.
DMB Tip: You don’t want to miss this charming orchard. Pick up some local honey while you’re there. You won’t be sorry.
West Dayton
Brumbaugh Fruit Farm
6420 Arcanum-Hollansburg Rd. Arcanum
Saturdays 11-7; Sundays 12-7
Located in Arcanum, Brumbaugh’s is worth the trip for a fun-filled family experience. $10 per person (kids under 3 are free) gets you unlimited access to the “fun farm.” Some highlights include storybook forest, zipline, slide, corn maze, and hamster wheels. The fee includes a hayride to the pumpkin field, but pumpkins cost extra.
DMB Tip: Brumbaugh’s features an awesome bakery and a few food items, but if you plan to let your kids stay and play all afternoon, packing a lunch might be a good idea!
Tom’s Maze and Pumpkin Farm
4881 Germantown-Liberty Road; Germantown
September 14th – November 3rd; Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday & Saturday 12pm-10pm; Sunday 12pm-6pm
Their corn maze is a one of a kind experience which has been nominated for awards. Pumpkins are pre-picked and priced for sale in the market area.
DMB Tip: $2 off pumpkin purchase HERE
North Dayton
Fulton Farms
2393 Ohio Rt. 202, Troy
Hayride (weekends only) and pumpkin patch open all of October, Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday-Sunday 9am-5pm
Renowned for its strawberries, sweet corn, and pumpkins, Fulton Farms is your one-stop shop for all things fresh this fall. Featuring a hayride to and from the pumpkin patch, Fulton Farms is a great place to pick your own pumpkin.
DMB Tip: Fulton Farms has lots of farm fresh produce besides pumpkins to choose from. Check their website for a list of what’s in season and what you can expect to find.