A pumpkin patch in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, USA

© Beck Photography/Aurora Photo

Pick up a pumpkin. In search of the perfect pumpkin

It’s not too late to visit a pumpkin patch like the one on our homepage image and pick an orange orb to carve up this Halloween. The American tradition has become increasingly popular at this time of year in the UK, where there are plenty of farms that allow visitors to come and choose their favourite giant squash. It is estimated that 10 million pumpkins are grown in the UK each year, with around 95 per cent carved into decorating lanterns for Halloween and a small percentage used as ingredients in pies, soups and stews.