Karabin Farms

Years ago I had a conversation with my sweetheart and he was in shock that I had never gone pumpkin or apple picking. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything… I mean… I don’t even like apples, lol. I also justified this to him by saying, «I’m a city girl, that’s not city stuff!». Well my sweetie is born and raised in the burbs’ of deep Connecticut and one particular weekend that we visited his parents he said, «I’m taking you pumpkin picking». I was excited. Excited to see chickens ;).
Karabin Farms is located in Southington, CT which is a short pleasant drive from where we were (Plainville). Upon exiting our car I knew I was in for a good time when I spotted some goats, BAAAAABY CHICKS, grown hens and it smelled like… well…nature. Thanks to it also being a beautiful autumn day, there was plenty of amazing Connecticut foliage to take in.
We looked at the farm animals and I got to pet a small goat (sooooooo cuuuuuuute! *insert Sailor Moon Heart Eyes here*) and there was an incubator full of rambunctious baby chicks that was designed to look like a small house.
Filled with red light inside to keep them warm I made 2 inappropriate jokes there (in front of a group of children giggling and cooing at said baby chicks) 1.) Hey look honey! It’s the red light district where are the hot chicks hang out! And 2.) Looook at the adorable chicken nuggets!
The first joke flew above their heads and the second one… well, one kid exclaimed, «chicken nuggets?!» And 3 kids started to cry. I taught them a valuable lesson that day — don’t be nosy and eavesdrop on adults… bwhahaha. You can take Steph out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of Steph… anywhoo…
After terrorizing innocent farm children, the beau and I hopped onto a tractor and rode deeper into Karabin Farmtown, USA. I was wide-​eyed the whole time, everything just looks sooooo cool (I know, I know — I’m a dork). Once we drove past several different fields, we finally arrived to Pumpkin-​ville. It took me about 25 minutes for the right pumpkin to speak to me. Then we went apple picking and got some Macintosh apples (lollll), Granny Smith apples and a few other varieties that I don’t remember.
After another awesome tractor ride back to the entrance we got our apples and pumpkins weight at their shop and off we went (after I walked around in amazement for about 30 minutes because this gift shop has lots of genuinely awesome stuff. Lots of pre-​picked apples, smaller pumpkins, freshly grown produce, knick knacks, kitchen stuffs, decorative things and most important — farm made edible items. Homegirl bought some chocolate chip cooked cuz that’s how I roll).
My beau and I had a really great time here and I would love to return again!

I went to Karabin farms with my gf to go pumpkin picking and it was a BLAST. You walk in and buy a wagon ride ticket for $ 1. The wagon takes you to the apple orchard and a small field with several pumpkins for your choosing. Although I didn’t go apple picking there looked to be a great selection. The pumpkins are reasonably priced at 50¢ a lb and they even gave us a couple mini pumpkins for free. Although me and the mrs. don’t have kids this would be an awesome spot to take the little ones. There’s ponies for the kids to pet and a couple bunnies too. This was a great experience and one that I would absolutely recommend for a nice fall family outing. Also, be sure to try their warm cider and donuts. So good!

Our kids love karabin farms for the animals and tractor rides. However, their frugal parents are not liking the ridiculously hiked up prices this year. $ 15 for a small bag that fits about 8 – 10 apples? Yikes. I could have sworn last year apples were $ 1.25/lb. I’m not sure we will be back — we are on the search for another tractor-​riding/​animal-​loving less than $ 15/​peck orchard!

My family has been going to Karabin Farms annually for many years, taking the kids on the wagon up into the orchard for a fun afternoon of picking apples. In 2013, they have changed the operation. Now, you prepay for apples: $ 15 for a small bag which can hold maybe 12 apples. It’s cheaper to go to Rogers Orchards among others. Last year the apples were nothing special, so, we definitely have ended this family tradition. While yes times are tough for everyone, I think it’s a bit nuts to charge these prices for apples.

Came here on a Sunday to cut a Xmas tree down. My gf and I loved this place.

Karabin is a family-​owned farm that has something on offer for (almost) every season.
Fall is the best: You can pick your own apples, buy pots of mums, and order your Thanksgiving turkey. The apples are good quality at a great price (this year’s Macouns, Galas, and Cortlands were on the small side but delicious), and the tractor-​pulled wagon that takes you up to the orchard is a rustic bit of fun.
The only caveat is that late-​September weekends can be a madhouse. It’s way too steep to walk up to the orchards, so you’ll just have to commune with the nearby chickens, pigs, and turkeys while you wait for a seat in the next wagon. It’s worth it, though: The view from the top is gorgeous.
There’s a store near the parking area, and its wares can be a little kitschy. I would stick to the pumpkins, decorative gourds, and veggies.
The Karabins are a friendly and industrious family who started small and kept adding and enlarging over the years. It’s great fun to visit their mini-​empire year after year and see what’s new.