Melanie
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of pumpkin wonder at Jucker Farm in Seegräben!
This ultimate guide will take you on a journey through the most spectacular pumpkin exhibit in all of Switzerland. From giant pumpkins weighing over 500 kilograms to mini pumpkins no larger than a golf ball, Jucker Farm has it all. So grab your calendar, because you won't want to miss this unforgettable fall experience!
Are you looking for a unique and fun fall experience in Switzerland? Look no further than the annual pumpkin exhibition at Jucker Farm in Zurich.
Located just outside of Zurich, Jucker Farm offers a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s the perfect countryside destination for families - and for pumpkin lovers of all ages. Every year, the farm transforms into a true pumpkin paradise, showcasing a wide variety of pumpkins from all over the world.
It’s a Saturday morning in early summer and the kids have been up since 6 AM. How to keep them busy with a family-friendly activity? Knies Kinderzoo in Rapperswil is likely going to be too crowded with this nice weather. We feel like going for a brief walk. But honestly, just a short stroll from the parking lot to some fun place…
This is a classic case that many families in Zurich are familiar with. For many, the quickest solution is an escape to Jucker Farm in Seegräben. There, the only sounds are the chirping birds, the giggling kids, and the occasional bleat from the happy goats.
Jucker Farm is just around the corner from Zürich
It's only a short drive from our home in Zürcher Oberland to the town of Seegräben. Because we arrive before 10 AM, there are still plenty of parking options available. We even have the valued luxury of a shady tree. If you arrive at noon or later, be ready to spend some time waiting in a busy parking lot.
Insider tip: another good option is to park your car at Strandbad Auslikon. From there, it is a beautiful 20-minute walk on the flat shore path of Lake Pfäffikon. Once you reach the small bridge, make a stop and look out for the fish which can often be observed in the clear water. This is a favorite for kids. It sits on the little hill in front of you, next to the picturesque church. You won't be able to miss it.
Back at the parking lot near the farm, we grab a wheelbarrow with the sign "Kinder-Taxi."
The little one loves to hang in there as we push him up the hill into kids-paradise.
The kid-friendly “Kinder-Taxi” really takes the hassle out of your visit to Jucker Farm. Towing the children from the parking lot to the farm is a memorable experience in itself…
On the premises of Jucker Farm in Seegräben, there is a country-style playground - and more
Once at the farm, you will find a range of activities. Take a stroll through the farm's beautiful gardens and enjoy the autumn colors, or head to the playground for some family-friendly fun.
There is a fenced-in area where kids can pet cheeky goats. And there are two old tractors which kids can sit on, turn on the heavy steering wheel and feel as free as a farmer on the nearby fields.
And there are two old tractors which kids can sit on, turn on the heavy steering wheel and feel as free as a farmer on the nearby fields. A huge pile made of straw bales and lots of colorful hammocks hanging in the trees complete this farm-style playground for small and big kids.
Inside the self-service restaurant, it’s a foodie paradise!
For the adults, there is one thing that will catch your attention the moment you make your way to Jucker Farm: the magnificent view over the turquoise lake, the rolling hills, and the Bachtel peak (a local hill with a tower on top). In the background, you might even see the snowy Alps.
On the welcoming premises of the farm, you can walk around anywhere you please and find a cozy place to sit. There are outdoor tables with large umbrellas, where they have set up beer garden-style tables and benches.
Jucker Farm has a down-to-earth bistro that serves light snacks, small bites, and sweet treats. Think piles of cake, waffles, pancakes, fresh salads, müesli, smoothies… And hearty meals like Rösti with fried eggs, and quiches, and on the nostalgic black stove simmer two different types of soup.
There are endless options for beverages, too. I like their homemade iced tea or the delicious apple juice. Given that this agritourism farm has its own orchards, many of the foods are made with locally sourced ingredients. It’s the ideal place to refuel and recharge!
Insider tips: look for one of the many fruit trees that provide shade. And stop by the farm shop to pick up a souvenir, including homemade sausages (try the chocolate-cinnamon-coated pumpkin seed variety), pumpkin-themed products such as pumpkin seed oil, pumpkin soup, and even pumpkin wine! Speaking of which…
Pumpkin galore at the Jucker Farm Pumpkin Exhibit
Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to Switzerland, the pumpkin exhibit at Jucker Farm is a must-visit event. This is when there is a huge selection of pumpkins all over the place.
The farm is known far and wide for its pumpkin-themed exhibit where they decorate anything from giraffes to dinosaurs with pumpkins and apples. On those early fall days, we like to stop by to see what the creative hands at Jucker have come up with.
The exhibit regularly features more than 50 different types of pumpkins, each with its own unique shape, unusual colors, and extreme sizes. Blue, green, and stripey, from the classic Halloween pumpkin to the exotic and rare varieties, we are always surprised at the sheer variety of pumpkins.
One year, we admired a giant pumpkin weighing over 500 kilograms! At the farm shop, we ended up buying some mini pumpkins no larger than an apple.
An average of several hundred hours of work goes into transforming the incredible amount of approximately 450’000 pumpkins into stunning figures for each pumpkin exhibition at Jucker Farm. All these pumpkins weigh over 4.2 tons.
Insider tip: buy a seasonal sausage at the shop, then BBQ it over the warm and comfy fire bowl outside. Your kids will love it and beg you to return there as soon as possible!
It's a fun destination during any season
With its unique and diverse range of pumpkins and a variety of activities and attractions, Jucker Farm is the perfect way to spend a fall day. Did I mention the apple tree maze?
If you feel like going for a stroll after your visit, take the path through the vineyard down to the lake. Badi Seegräben is a public bath with no admission, so why not go for a swim in the clear waters of Lake Pfäffikon? A basic changing room and a diving platform are available.
Highlights of visiting Jucker Farm in Seegräben
What are you waiting for? Mark your calendars this fall and head to Jucker Farm for the ultimate pumpkin experience. Here are the highlights of Jucker Farm:
- Admire over 50 different types of pumpkins
- Take a stroll through the farm's beautiful gardens
- Head to the playground for family-friendly fun
- Sample delicious pumpkin specialties
Jucker Farm in Seegräben Review (2023)
Summary
If we could, we'd award this brimming countryside adventure hub 5 out of 5 apples! With its fun playground, farm shop, self-service restaurant, and lake views, it's the perfect place to take your city-slicker friends.
Jucker Farm AG
Dorfstrasse 23
8607 Seegräben
Phone +41 44 934 34 84
info@juckerfarm.ch
Dimitri Burkhard
Cherry
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