It's the Right Time for Picking!

In September, it's apples. In October, just in time for Halloween, pumpkins are ready. Many growers in Kansas and Missouri sell their harvest at farmers markets, but you can also pick your own at area farms and orchards from September to December. Enjoy tractor-pulled hay rides, fresh apple cider, corn mazes and more. Remember to call before you go - weather, heavy picking and business conditions can impact hours and crops!

KANSAS

• Gardner: KC Pumpkin Patch, 29755 W. 191st St., 913-484-6251
  http://www.kcpumpkinpatch.com
  The 60 acre farm features pumpkin picking, a pumpkin cannon, barrel train, zip line, petting zoo, haunted barn, milking cow, tricycle track, hill slides, corn maze, hay fort, hayrack rides punkin'chunkin', concessions, and more.
• Lawrence: Schaake Pumpkin Patch, 1791 North 1500 Road, 785-843-2359
  http://www.thesamplepages.com/pumpkin/home_aboutus.htm
  A 24 acre pumpkin patch with farm animals, a hay maze, Indian corn, gourds, corn shocks, and hay rides.
• Louisburg: Louisburg Cider Mill Hwy 68, 913-837-5202
  http://www.louisburgcidermill.com/index.html
  Family activities include apple picking, a petting zoo, picking pumpkins, hayrides, watching kettle corn being popped and fresh apple cider.

MISSOURI

• Kansas City: Stephenson's (apple) Orchards, 6700 Lee's Summit Rd, 816-373-5138
  email: cider2@mindspring.com
• Lee's Summit: Sylvia Bailey Farm Park, 1800 SE Ranson RD, 816-969-7494.
  Visitors can choose from orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, squash and gourds. The farm also has a 12 acre corn maze, one of the largest in west-central Missouri.
• Liberty: Carolyn's Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch, 210 & 291 Highway, 816-781-9196
  http://www.carolynscountrycousins.com
  This 50 acre pumpkin patch offers wagon rides, a petting farm, hayrides, face painting, straw maze, and a farm slide. Live entertainment on the weekends includes music and Uncle Lester's Pig Races.
• Weston: Vaughn Orchard & Country Store, 23200 N. Highway 273, 816-386-2900
  Apple orchard offers apple picking, fresh apple cider pressed in a mill, apple butter cooked in a kettle over an open fire, and barbeque prepared on site.
• Weston: Weston Red Barn Farm, 16300 Wilkerson Road, 816-FUN-KIDS Enjoy picking your own crops, authentic country hayrides, and fall pumpkin festival. The farm also offers a 10-acre cornfield maze in the shape of the presidential seal.

For more listings in Kansas and Missouri: http://www.pickyourown.org