Even in a region rife with pumpkin patches, Gordon Skagit Farms is a big deal. The Mount Vernon farm grows upward of 150 pumpkin varieties, and they’re perhaps best known for their artful, annually evolving displays. Every meticulously designed vignette seems pulled from a magazine — which makes sense, considering the farm has been featured twice in Martha Stewart Living.
On a given fall day, families from as near as Bellingham and as far as Seattle wander through Gordon Skagit Farms’ pumpkin shrine, sipping cider and plopping their favorites into wheelbarrows. Pumpkins here come in all shapes, sizes and textures, from knotty miniature gourds to massive, near-cartoonish jack-o’-lanterns. Many varieties are labeled with name tags denoting whimsical breeds like Polar Bear, Troll Squash and Blue Doll Pumpkins.
Factor in the flower field, corn maze, artisan wreaths, and local produce and goods for sale, and you have the makings of an idyllic fall afternoon. But if you ask co-owner Eddie Gordon why his farm stands out, he’ll say he doesn’t know. He’s never been to another pumpkin patch in his life.
“I was just always in this business,” Eddie said. “And so, if you don’t know what other people are doing or what you’re supposed to be doing, you just kind of do your own thing.”
Eddie might not be familiar with other pumpkin patches, but he’s a veritable expert on his own turf. His grandparents founded Gordon Skagit Farms in 1932, and Eddie has been growing pumpkins with his brother, Todd, since 1969. In recent years, they’ve transformed the family business into a major agricultural operation, now growing more varieties of pumpkins than most people realize exist.
“As a kid, I only kind of knew the carving pumpkins, and then some cooking pumpkins,” he said. But as other varieties gained popularity in the ’90s, Eddie began seeking them out.
These unique pumpkins did well on the marketplace — so well, in fact, that they merit new, sprawling displays each year. Eddie and his team begin planning the layout in August, even though the first pumpkins of the season aren’t ready until late September.
Each display is a collaborative undertaking, with Eddie’s own paintings lending added personal charm. Eddie’s nephew, Cole, also plays a key role and is set to be the “next generation to keep the pumpkin dream.”
The Gordons hand-select each breed: Eddie tries to zero in on gourds with “a certain kind of fabulousness to them.” Right now Eddie said mottled, fairytale-style pumpkins (known as Musque De Provence, or Cinderella pumpkins) are in demand. Among traditional carving varieties, there’s increased demand for longer, curled stems that wouldn’t be found at a grocery store.
“I think, people are more and more interested in all the different colorations that happen, and different shapes and things like that,” Eddie said. “It just has expanded so rapidly, the number of varieties, which is great to see happen.”
Eddie noted North America is at the forefront of pumpkin cultivation these days (and yes, the Europeans are jealous). He has a knack for discovering new, “experimental breeds” — recently developed varieties or those that have not yet hit the market — through catalogs, online research or relationships with breeders.
So if you’re looking to impress (and perhaps intimidate) the neighbors with this year’s Halloween porch display, a visit to Gordon Skagit Farms might be in order. The Gordons are known for improving and expanding their displays, meaning no two years are the same.
“We just try to dial things in and make it a little bit bigger, a little bit more expansive,” Eddie said. As a result, the farm sees the same faces year after year — plus plenty of new faces, too.
Gordon Skagit Farms is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Thursday, Oct. 31. Info: gordonskagitfarms.com.
Pumpkin patch guide
Gordon Skagit Farm is one of many spots to pick up pumpkins. In honor of the first week of October, here’s a roundup of some of our favorite fall destinations in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Bellewood Farms
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday, 6140 Guide Meridian Road, Lynden
Quintessential autumn destination with U-Pick apples and pumpkins, an on-site cafe, a corn maze and an on-site distillery. Info: bellewoodfarms.com.
Dan Cramer’s Western Town
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday–Sunday through October, 956 Van Dyk Road, Lynden
Old West-themed pumpkin patch/event space with wagon rides, a petting zoo and a “fun zone” complete with a corn pit and hay jump. Info: dancramerswesterntown.
Frazier/Entrikin Farms Pumpkin Patch
Noon to 6 p.m. Monday–Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday–Sunday, 701 McCorquedale Road, Burlington
Roadside pumpkin patch in Burlington, open daily through Oct. 31. Info: facebook.com/BurlingtonPumpkins.
Home Farm
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday–Sundays, 8020 Kickerville Road, Blaine
Farm with heirloom and carving pumpkins, antique tractors and a farm store, plus tractor train rides, food and drinks on weekends. Special events include a kids’ costume weekend Oct. 18–20. Info: homefarm.farm.
Schuh Farms
Hours vary by attraction, 15565 WA-536, Mount Vernon
Year-round farm stand with seasonal activities and outstanding baked goods. Fall attractions include three pumpkin fields, a tractor train, bouquets, cider, hayrides and a corn maze. Info: schuhfarmswa.com.
Stoney Ridge Farm
Noon to 5 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays through October, 2092 Van Dyk Road, Everson
Family favorite offering U-Pick pumpkins and apples, wagon rides and a corn maze, plus food trucks and live music on select weekends. Info: stoneyridgefarm.com.
Willetta Farm
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, 1945 E. Badger Road, Everson
Multi-generational family farm with pumpkins, horse-drawn wagon rides and treats like oliebollen (Dutch donuts). Info: willettafarm.weebly.com.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
