Touch Grass: The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island

The design of the 2023 corn maize. Photo Credit: Adrian Keller Feld

There is still time to experience The Pumpkin Patch, an annual Portland tradition! Bella Organic Farm, the family farm on Sauvie Island, has hosted The Pumpkin Patch since 1967, and it’s open until the end of October. The Patch hosts plenty of pumpkins to choose from, and patrons can wander and select the perfect one from the vine, or purchase pre-picked pumpkins closer to the front. According to the Patch’s website, the farm boasts a produce market, patio cafe, Pumpkin Perk Coffee, Pumpkin Cottage Gift Shop, The Maze, and 1929 Big Red Animal Barn. At The Pumpkin Patch, one can grab an apple cider doughnut and go for a wander in the corn, passing over bridges that let them see across the maze, to the tractor-pulled hayride and the sprawling pumpkins beyond.

KGW8 checked out The Pumpkin Patch, writing “the 22-acre pumpkin field has over 20 types of pumpkins growing on it, according to Joe Kellogg, one of the farm's managers and brother-in-law to the farmer who runs the farm.” Kellogg emphasized the community aspect of the Patch, with many families coming every year for decades. While most at Reed are new to the Portland area, this could end up being an annual tradition for many more people, including Reedies. While the atmosphere of the Patch is very family-friendly, there is also plenty to do as a group of adults, including food vendors, a bar, and great opportunities to walk around a picturesque farm.

The Patch is open daily from 10:00am–6:00pm. There is no admission fee, so the experience is customizable with hayrides, corn maze, shopping, food, and drink as available add-ons. The Patch is not very accessible for those with physical disabilities, with most of it being on unpaved ground, and most of the activities involving walking on unstable surfaces. As it is a working farm, appropriate footwear is recommended. The Patch is a 30-minute drive north of Reed, and is not accessible via public transport. No pets are allowed at the Patch, and both cash and credit cards are accepted, according to its website. The Patch is a great place to go to get away from the hustle and bustle, and see some real Pacific Northwest fall. Whether in a group, as a date, or just with yourself, the Patch offers plenty of fun activities, and is a classic experience for all. To learn more visit the Pumpkin Patch’s website at thepumpkinpatch.com. So, go out and touch grass at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island!