Bellevue Berry Farm and Pumpkin Patch is welcoming families back for the season with campfires, haybale rides and spooky surprises. But of course, its most popular event is always pumpkin picking. The pumpkin patch is open every day through the beginning of November. You can pick your favorite pumpkin any day of the week. There are 12 acres dedicated to the pumpkins alone. With seven different varieties, there are plenty to choose from.The pumpkin expert himself, owner and farmer Ed Schaefer, gives a few tips on the iconic autumn gourds. "You don't want it to melt down in the hot sun or something," Schaefer. "So, one of the tricks is to put it on a cardboard box, leave it painted or just natural up until a week or so ahead of time. And then when you carve it, they'll normally last about a week." Schaefer said these pumpkins are not just meant for carving. "It's good eatin', said Schaefer. "They're not just for Halloween. We grow other varieties that you can make pies out of them. You can bake them just like squash."