They're round, they're orange and as Halloween approaches, people are looking for them.

Joan Robertson runs a pumpkin patch near Saskatoon. Robertson says the best part about this time of year is the children's reaction to the piles of pumpkins.

"We hear a lot of joy when they come into the barn," says Robertson. "A lot of kids are hopping and skipping into the barn."

Picking just the right pumpkin is essential.

It's exciting picking out a great big one. It's an even bigger thrill growing an immense one in your backyard.

Dustin Coupal of Saskatoon showed off his prize specimen – more than 700 pounds of pumpkin. Coupal was amazed as it grew and grew.

"I was thinking even a 17 pound pumpkin and then a 50 pound pumpkin as it continued to grow. Then it started to taper off and I though, geeze, I'd be really happy with a 300 pound pumpkin. Then it just kept on growing."

That's one large jack o'lantern.