Autumn, the most beautiful time of the year, is right around the corner. Prepare yourselves for apple picking, pumpkin carving and getting lost in a corn maze.
There are hayrides to ride, animals to pet and pigs to watch race. Get ready to enjoy September and October to the fullest.
Here’s a guide to some area corn mazes, apple orchards and pumpkin patches. Make sure you call or check the farm’s website or Facebook page for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 procedures, including mask-wearing.
Goshen
Kercher’s Sunrise Orchards: Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 12-6 p.m. Sundays Sept. 1-Oct. 31. 19498 County Road 38. Admission: You-pick apples are $1.49 per pound and pumpkins will cost 45 cents per pound. 574-533-6311; kerchersorchard.com.
Varieties for you-pick apples include Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Evercrisp (cross between Honeycrisp and Fuji), Gold Rush and Fuji. See the website for ripening dates of apples.
Pumpkins are available for you-pick, with free hayrides to the pumpkin patch, weekends beginning Sept. 18. Saturdays the hayrides start at 10 a.m. with the last ride going out at 5:30 p.m. Sundays the hayrides start at noon with the last ride going out at 5:30 p.m.
Hobart
County Line Orchard: Hours for you-pick are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 1-Oct. 31 (last tractor at 5 p.m.). 200 S. County Line Road. Admission: $2; pay for what you pick $1.79 per pound for apples. Pre-picked varieties are available. Honeycrisp extra. You-pick pumpkins are 40 cents a pound up to $12. Passes are $6-$12. 219-947-4477; countylineorchard.com.
There are more than 30 varieties of apples. See the ripening schedule on the website. In addition to apples and pumpkins, there is a bee yurt. Little ones can enjoy the Kid’s Farm with Peter the Pumpkin Eating Dino entertaining on weekends, Moo Choo ride ($3 extra), farm animals, a straw maze and pedal tractors. There is also a Big Barn gift shop. Barnyard jams can be heard on the weekends.
The theme is the 2021 corn maze is Barn Doors Open. The maze features County Line Orchard’s activities like a kiddie train, apple picking, pumpkins and sunflowers. The second, shorter, easier Albanese Gummi Bear Maze is suitable for younger visitors.
La Porte
Garwood Orchards: Hours for you-pick are 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through October. Last tractor goes out at 5:15 p.m. 5911 W 50 South. Admission: free, but apples cost $32 for a half-bushel, $20 per peck, $12 for a half-peck. $20 minimum for you-pick per family or $10 per person for groups of 10 or more. Six pumpkins for $40; two for $15. Pie pumpkins are six for $10 and two for $5. 219-362-4385; garwoodapplefarm.com or facebook.com/garwoodappleorchard.
Varieties available for you-pick include Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp and more.
Lowell
Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends Sept. 11-Oct. 30. 17904 Grant St. Admission: $7.95 online or $11.95 at the gate and will include the petting zoo, four-acre corn maze, hayrides and other farm attractions. The Amazement pass is $18.95 online or $22.95 at the gate and includes unlimited access to the amusement rides. 219-440-2386; harvesttymefun.com.
This year’s maze design honors the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and the falling of the Twin Towers. The maze has a lookout bridge and texting clues to help maze-goers. For little ones, there’s a smaller maze that only winds through a portion of the field.
Attractions include hayrides, petting zoo, pig and duck races, a 65-foot fun slide, amusement rides, a Harvest Tyme Express Train, giant swing, jumping pillow, corn cannons, carousel and concessions.
New this year is a Pumpkin Glow Trail featuring thousands of lights, glowing pumpkin and some spooky fun kicking off Oct. 1. Hours will be from 6-9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets will cost $9.99.
Kregel’s Pumpkin Patch: Hours are 10:30-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 12-5 p.m. Sunday Sept. 25-Oct. 30. 7705 W. 159th Ave. Admission: barnyard activities pass is $9 adults, $11 children Fridays-Sundays and $7 adults, $9 children Mondays-Thursdays. $1 discount for seniors 62 and older with ID. Pumpkins cost 39 cents per pound. 219-690-1503; kregelspumpkinpatch.com.
Barnyard activities include unlimited hayrides to the pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin peak slide, pedal cars and barrel train ride. Some activities cost extra.
Michigan City
Radke Orchard: Hours 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. beginning Sept. 4. 8999 W. 200 N. Admission: free, no minimum picking. $1.25 per pound you-pick. 219-872-3140; radkeorchards.com.
Bring your own containers to carry apples or purchase bags on-site. See website for ripening schedule. Tractor rides available on the weekends. Leashed dogs welcome.
Westville
Coulter’s Pumpkin Farm: Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends for fall activities Sept. 25-Oct. 31. Business hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily to Oct. 31. 5433 S. U.S. 421. Admission is free. Corn maze extra. Cash and check only. 219-785-2406; coultersproduce.com.
They have a four-acre corn maze that’s open daily. On weekends, they have a kid’s corn maze, pony rides, face painting and food for sale.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.