Unlike other pick-your-own fruits and veggies, the goal of pumpkin picking is not to fill a bushel or a pint, but to find that one perfectly shaped gourd fit to be carved into the most terrifying or most jovial jack-o'-lantern. Round or narrow, big or small, squat or oblong - you decide! Find the one that's just right and bring it home for a family-fun afternoon of carving and decorating that will really put you and your little ones in the Halloween mood.
    Pick up a few extras while you're at it and whip up some homemade treats like a classic pumpkin pie or some less traditional (but still tasty) chocolate pumpkin muffins. Or, if the kitchen isn't your domain, bring home some fresh-baked goodies from one of the locations listed below. And don't forget to save the seeds! Roasted pumpkin seeds, or pepitas, are a delicious and nutritious snack filled with protein and essential minerals.
    All pick-your-own dates depend on weather, growing conditions, and demand. Call to check availability before visiting any of these locations.

   Also see our full 2009 guide to pick-your-own pumpkin locations in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

LONG ISLAND

Albert H. Schmitt Family Farms
6 Bagatelle Road, Dix Hills
631-549-1159; www.schmittsfamilyfarms.com
Pick-your-own pumpkins through October 31. Hayrides and haunted maze on weekends. Fall decorations for sale. Open daily 10am-6pm.

Benner's Farm
56 Gnarled Hollow Road, Setauket
(631) 689-8172; www.bennersfarm.com
Pick-your-own pumpkins through October, weekends only noon-4pm. Hayrides, farm animals, Haunted Hayride on Halloween. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for kids; includes corn and hayrides.

Borellas Farm Stand
485 Edgewood Avenue, Saint James
631-862-7330
U-pick pumpkins through October during Fall Festival weekends. Hayrides, snacks, corn maze, live music, and other activities. Farm stand with homegrown fruits and vegetables. Free parking. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children 3-12 years old, free for children under 3. Open weekends and Columbus Day 11am-5pm.

Brightwaters Farms & Nursery
1624 Manatuck Boulevard, Bay Shore
631-665-5411; www.brightwatersfarms.com
U-pick pumpkins through Oct. 31. Hayrides, inflatable rides, store with novelty decorations, apples, candy apples, and full concession stand. Open daily 9am-6pm.

F & W Schmitt's Family Farm
26 Pinelawn Road, Melville
631-271-3276; www.schmittfarms.com
Pick-your-own pumpkins through October, daily 9am-5pm. Free hayrides. Corn maze with admission. Weekend and Columbus Day activities include inflatable rides, food concessions, and more.

Fairview Farm
69 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton (GPS: 69 Horsemill Road, Watermill)
631-537-6154; www.cornfieldmaze.com/sites.php?ID=&username=nybridgehampton
Pick-your-own pumpkins, gourds, and squash through the first week of November. 8-acre corn maze. Open Friday noon-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday noon-6pm. Also open Labor Day, Yom Kippur, and Columbus Day 10am-6pm. Admission is $10 per person, $7 for children 11 and under, children 3 and under are free.

Fink's Country Farm
6242 Middle Country Road, Manorville
631-886-2272; www.finksfarm.com
U-pick pumpkins through Nov. 1, weekdays 9am-5pm. Fall Festival on weekends and Columbus Day, includes U-pick pumpkins, 7-acre corn maze, hayrides, animal farm, playground area, corn cannon, pumpkin slingshot, pony rides, food and beverage stand, picnic areas, and more. Admission for fall festival is $12 per person, kids 2 and under are free. Open 9am-5pm.

Grammas Flower Cottage
2891 Montauk Highway, Brookhaven
631-730-6264; www.grammasflowercottage.com
U-pick pumpkins through October 31. Plants, perennials, shrubs, and trees available. Open daily 9:30am-6pm.

Greenland Family Farms
17155 County Road 48, Cutchogue
631-734-5791; www.greenlandfamilyfarms.com
Pumpkin picking on weekends in October. Hayrides, fall decorations. Trees, bushes, and perennials available.

Harbes Family Farm's Middle Earth Pumpkin Farm
5698 Sound Avenue, Riverhead
631-298-0800; www.harbesfamilyfarm.com
U-pick pumpkins every weekend through Nov. 1. Hayrides, corn maze, pony rides, farm animals, snacks, fall decorations, restrooms, and more. Open 9am-6pm.

Hanks Pumpkintown
240 Montauk Highway, Watermill
631-726-4667; www.hankspumpkintown.com
U-pick pumpkins through October 31. Corn mazes, wagon rides, tractor rides, pedal cart race track, and more. General admission is $10. Open weekends and holidays 9:30am-6pm.

Krupski's Vegetable & Pumpkin Farm
38030 Route 25, Peconic
631-734-6847 or 631-734-7841
U-pick pumpkins through October. Farm fresh produce. Open dailoy 8am-7pm.

Lewin Farms
812 Sound Avenue, Calverton
631-929-4327; www.lewinfarms.homestead.com
Pick-your-own pumpkins through October. Open daily 9am-5pm, closed Tuesdays.

Nathan's Famous Pumpkin Patch & Fun Zone
880 Lido Blvd, Lido Beach
516-870-4381
U-pick pumpkins through October. Children's Fun Zone with activities, games, and treats. Hayrides, pony rides, picnic areas, restrooms. Free parking. Open Monday-Friday noon-5pm, weekends 11:30am-5:30pm.

Stakey's Pumpkin Farm
270 West Lane, Aquebogue
631-722-3467; www.stakeyspumpkinfarm.com
Pick-your-own pumpkins through October. Hayrides, corn maze, bounce house, face painting, pony rides. Greenhouse, Country Store, and Snack Shack. Open daily and Columbus Day 10am-6pm.

The Milk Pail Farm & Orchard
50 Horsemill Lane, Water Mill
(631) 537-2565; www.milk-pail.com
U-pick pumpkins and apples through October. Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 10am-5:30pm.

White Post Farms
250 Old Country Road, Melville
631-351-9373; www.whitepostfarms.com
U-pick pumpkins through October 25. Fall festival weekends with live entertainment, hayrides, pony rides, games, and more; 10am-4pm and $14 admission per person. Open weekdays 10am-4pm, no admission.

Wickham's Fruit Farm
28700 Route 25, Cutchogue
631-734-6441; www.wickhamsfruitfarm.com
U-pick pumpkins in October. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm.

Woodside Nursery & Garden Center Inc.
134 E Woodside Avenue, Patchogue
631-758-1491; www.woodsidenurseryandgarden.com
Pick-your-own pumpkins on weekends in October. Haunted tunnel, face painting, scarecrow making, balloon bounce, and "Octobercation" activities. Birthday parties and field trips. Admission is $2 per person.