A fall décor staple is ready to take up residence on your porch as pumpkin patches open for picking.

According to the USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture, there are more than 960 farms growing pumpkins for the fresh ornamental market in Wisconsin. That trails only New York (1,144), Pennsylvania (1,102), Michigan (1,029) and Ohio (970) for the most in the country.

Approximately 85% of those fields produce pumpkins for the fresh market, like those found at Hillside Apples in Casco, while the other 15% are used for processing into products such as pie fillings and soups.

Much like its apple trees, Hillside Apples’ Bill Roethle says the pumpkin crop is in good shape considering the weather it endured on its journey from the field to your porch.

To make your pumpkin last longer, Kansas State University Extension recommends keeping it in cool conditions and wiping it down with a bleach-water or vinegar-water solution to reduce rot and decay. You are also encouraged to carry your pumpkin out of the field in your arms rather than by the stem to prevent damage that could cause it to decay more quickly.