'Tis the season of the Pumpkin King and autumnal decor galore. Which begs the question: Why do we display jack-o'-lanterns and gourds during fall?

Well, it all started with the Irish legend of Stingy Jack. In the 1800s, people in Ireland would carve creepy faces out of turnips to scare away Jack's wandering soul. When Irish immigrants moved to the US, they adapted and carved jack-o'-lanterns from fruit native to the region. Enter: Pumpkins.

Keep Jack away this season or just indulge in the seasonal decor with pumpkins from these eight patches + farm stands. Heads up: Some of these patches aren't primed for picking just yet, so save this list for later.

Pumpkin patch experience

DJ's Berry Patch, Apex | Fill your cart with gourds, corn stalks, NC apples, and mums.

Grasshopper Farms, Knightdale | After finding your way through the four acre corn maze, browse fall produce.

Naylor Family Farm, Fuquay-Varina | Grab tickets in advance for hay rides, gem mining, and apple cannons to pair with your pumpkin patching.

Page Farms | Visit this family-owned farm to pick the perfect pumpkin, relax in the corn crib, and enjoy hayrides + farm animals.

Phillips Farms, Cary | After you grab a few pumpkins, play human foosball, gaga ball, roller racers, and ride down the quad slide.

Ragan and Holly's Pumpkin Patch, Apex | Grab your pick of pumpkins then shop the neighborhood market filled with gift options, local goods, and much more.

Grab-and-go decor

The Family Farm on Avent Ferry, Holly Springs | This sixth-generation farm has decorative hay bales, flint corn, cornstalks, and, of course, pumpkins to make your home the most gourd-geous on the block.

Shepherd’s Way Farms, multiple locations | Pick up a premade pumpkin stack to display on your front porch.

State Farmers Market | Shop from several different local farmers to complete your fall arrangements.