There are lots of opportunities locally to pick your own pumpkins in time for Halloween later this month. Here are a few of our favourite East Sussex pumpkin patches :

PYO in East Sussex

Sharnfold Farm, Stone Cross

PYO Pumpkins are available on weekends in October – 5 & 6, 12 & 13, and 19 & 20.

The PYO pumpkin field is part of the farm trail which has an entry fee and gives you access to the entire site. Pumpkins are priced individually.

Blackberry Farm Pumpkin Patch, Whitesmith

Visit the all-ages Pumpkin Patch at Blackberry Farm to find your perfect pumpkin.

Pumpkin Carving is also available. Draw the face and carve with the team. You get to take home your very own carved pumpkin without having to clean up the mess!

South Farm, Rodmell, Lewes

South Farm’s Pick Your Own Pumpkins season will return on 19 October and runs until 31 October. Pumpkins are priced from £1 upwards depending on size.

Latchetts Farm, Furners Green, Uckfield

The farm’s Pumpkin Patch will be open on weekends in October starting on 12 and 13 October.

From pick your own pumpkins to photo opportunities and pumpkin displays, as well as Latchetts Gelato Parlour and pumpkin spiced lattes, there’s plenty to do!

Tibbs Farm, Rye

Homegrown pumpkins are available for sale from mid-October.

There are several varieties available perfect for carving, or even better, for eating as well as an assortment of gourds and squashes.

Picking Patch, Lewes

PYO Pumpkins are available at the Picking Patch in Lewes on weekends in October plus during half term.

Pick your own pumpkin before vising the Museum of Pumpkinology to learn more about Halloween and what do with your pumpkin!

Don’t forget to let us know about any other pick your own sites we may have missed in the comments below.

Disposing of your jack-o’-lanterns

Please dispose of your Halloween pumpkin responsibly after 31 October.

Pumpkins make good compost or fertilizer, providing nutrients for your garden as they decompose. Just add them to your compost heap or bury them in your vegetable patch.

Birds and squirrels enjoy pumpkins as a natural food source so you could add pieces of pumpkin to your bird feeder or scatter them on your lawn. Make sure you remove any pieces that may be covered in wax if you have had a candle in your lantern.

Most pumpkins can be recycled, although if you’ve painted yours please don’t put it in your garden waste or feed it to local wildlife. Painted pumpkins should be put in your general waste for disposal.

Pumpkin pie, soup, cake or pickle

A pumpkin isn’t just for Halloween! From savoury soups and pickles to sweet treats, cakes and pies there are lots of ways to use this autumnal fruit over the next few weeks and months.

Just remember to use smaller, sweeter edible pumpkins for cooking rather than the large varieties grown for carving and lanterns.

Here are a few warming seasonal recipes to try:

  • Pumpkin cake A ghoulishly good Halloween pumpkin cake for a sweet party showstopper that tastes similar to carrot cake
  • Pumpkin Pie There’s no need to be spooked about this traditional American Halloween pie
  • Pumpkin pickle Serve this season pickle with cold meats, cheese or a slice of pork pie. It makes a great Christmas present too.
  • Pumpkin soup Pumpkin soup can be served hot or cold, and is a common Thanksgiving dish in the United States. Spice it up with chilli or curry powder for some extra flavour.
  • Pumpkin houmous You can also make this great dip with butternut squash
  • Pumpkin bread  A moist, cake-like pumpkin bread, perfect as a seasonal autumnal treat

Have you got a favourite pumpkin recipe? Share your delectable pumpkin dishes in the comments below.