Where to buy pumpkins in Chicago

October 14, 9:46 AMChicago Neighborhood ExaminerDana Kavan

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Carve them up, roast their seeds and plop them on your porch—pumpkins are in hot demand this time of year. A traditional pumpkin patch experience, complete with a hayrack ride to a field of gourds, warm apple cider and oodles of kid-friendly activities, isn't always attainable for city dwellers if they're not willing to book it to the 'burbs. So where do you get your hands on good ol' Jack in Chicago? 

Grocery stores
Perhaps the farthest from a festive pumpkin farm experience, buying your pumpkin at the same place where you get lunch meat lacks any fanfare, but it's convenient and cheap. Most major grocery stores throughout the city carry a large selection of pumpkins and gourds, and parking lots can make hauling your prize pick a cinch. Pumpkins at area Jewels cost $4.99 each; Dominick's separates them by size, with large ones running $4.99, $3.99 for medium and $2.99 for small. Conscious consumers can score organic pumpkins at local Whole Foods, which will set you back $7.99 for the large, $5.99 for medium. 

Farmers markets
Definitely a step up from the grocery store experience, nabbing a pumpkin at a Chicago farmers market is perfect for people who want a well-rounded seasonal experience. In addition to pumpkins and gourds, you can find fresh apples from nearby farms, perfect for whipping up a cobbler or pie. You'll also find season flowers to add to a gourd centerpiece. For a list of all Chicago farmers markets, check out the City of Chicago's website here. Expect to pay a bit more for the sustainably raised pumpkins at Green City Market.

Garden centers
When a regular old round and orange pumpkin won't do, head to a garden center for its specialty selection. Fertile Gardens in West Lakeview (1646 W. Diversey) sells pumpkins for $0.59 per pound, but also hawks white pumpkins, painted ones and Cinderella varieties, which are flat, shiny and dark orange. Gesthemane Garden Center at the north end of Andersonville (5739 N. Clark) carries Buckskin Blue pumpkins, which are ironically green, fancy gourds and sells the standard variety for $5-$14, depending on size. Plan your pumpkin picking around the Center's Fall Children's Festival, on October 25 from noon to 4 p.m., and the little ones can enjoy pony rides, face painting and a corn maze. 

Parking lot patches
These displays pop up in random parking lots, often churches or schools, every fall and return in late November with Christmas trees. The pumpkins here generally cost a bit more than at a grocery store (around $8), but offer another option if you want to support nearby farms. Look for Christmas lights, big stalks of hay flanking the trailer and stacks of Indian corn. There's no easy way to locate them online, but you're bound to pass at least a few on your way to the highway.  An old reliable: the lot on the northwest side of the Barry and Ashland intersection.