It’s that time fo year again… time for apple picking! Pick your own has already begun at some farms in Connecticut and New York and will continue through October.
It’s one of the fall activities we all look forward to every year and luckily it’s an activity that can be done while social distancing! Just remember to bring your mask and check ahead not only to see if the farm you’re heading to requires a reservation this year, but also to check on the harvest schedule!
To make things as easy as possible, scroll down for a list of pick your own apple orchards nearby!
Where To Go Apple Picking
Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag, NY
(845) 227 -2306
Apple picking has begun
Sunday – Wednesday, 11a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Playground, animals, ice cream stand, gem stone mining, mini golf, concessions, farm stand, Tree Top Adventures Thursday – Sunday, but needs to be reserved online. Music on Friday & Saturday evenings, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. No entry fee (except during festival weekends).
Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard
278 Leavenworth Road, Route 110 in the White Hills section of Shelton, CT
(203) 926-1098
Apple picking begins September 12
Bakery open daily, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here
Bishop’s Orchards
1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT
(203) 458-PICK – daily updates
Market & winery.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here
Blue Jay Orchards
125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, CT
(203) 748-0119
Apple picking begins Saturday, September 5
Market open daily 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. pumpkin patch beginning September 26 (no wagon rides this year)
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY
Apple picking begins Saturday, September 5 by reservation on weekends ONLY! Tickets go on sale every Tuesday for the following weekend.
Farm market open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (no fall festival this year)
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here
Lyman Orchards
32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT
(860) 295-3886 – 24-hour hotline
Apple picking has begun!
Golf, apple barrel & farm market open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here
March Farm
160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem, CT
(203) 266-7721
Apple picking begins Saturday, September 12
Market, bakery, playscape, animal yard & corn maze
Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY
(914) 277-3188
Apple picking begins Saturday, September 5 by reservation ONLY!
Corn maze, farm stand & pumpkin picking
Rogers Orchards
2876 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke, Southington, CT
(203) 879-1206
336 Long Bottom Rd, Southington, CT
(860) 229-4240
Apple picking season begins Friday, September 4, Friday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.!
Farm store open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. for in-store shopping and curbside pickup
Silverman’s Farm
451 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT
(203) 261-3306
Apple picking has begun! (Bring your walking shoes, there will be no transportation by tractor)
Market open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., animal farm open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY
(914) 245-5111
Apple picking tentatively begins Saturday, September 5! Open Wednesday – Monday, CLOSED on Tuesdays.
Corn maze, farm market open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., winer & bakery.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here
Know Before You Go
- Call ahead to check on conditions and the types of apples available for picking.
- Some orchards require reservations this year to allow for social distancing, check to see if this is necessary before you go!
- Don’t forget your masks!
- Dress appropriately for the outdoors and for potentially changing weather conditions. Terrain in orchards is usually grassy and bumpy with hills to climb/come down. Also, due to COVID-19, many orchards will not have tractor rides this year which will mean lots of walking!
- If you want to bring your dog, check ahead of time. Some orchards do not allow pets.
- Don’t forget to bring your camera!
- Definitely bring snacks… many of the orchards are a bit of a drive from Stamford.
How To Pick The Best Apples
- Apples ripen from the outside of the tree towards the center, so the apples out the outside of the tree will ripen first.
- Once they’re picked, apples stop ripening.
- To picking apples directly from a tree, roll the apple upwards off the branch and give a little twist.
- Don’t throw apples into your basket or bag after picking. Handle them gently to prevent bruising and spoiling.
- Don’t wash apples until right before using them to keep from spoiling.
- Keep apples cool after they’re picked to increase their shelf life.
