Where to go Apple Picking!

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

In CONNECTICUT:

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
Farm 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
Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Market & winery. At Bishop’s Orchards we work hard and take pride in growing the highest quality fruits to enjoy year after year from our family to yours. All the fresh products are available either seasonally at our Pick-Your-Own (PYO) locations and/or annually at our farm market.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here

Blue Jay Orchards
125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, CT
(203) 748-0119
Apple picking begins Saturday, September 20
Market open Weekdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m, Weekends And Columbus Day 10 a.m. – 5 p.m
WE ARE PICKING MACOUN , MCINTOSH ,CORTLAND ,GALA AND EMPIRE
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here

Lyman Orchards
32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT
(860) 295-3886 – 24-hour hotline
Apple picking has begun!
Apple barrel  Open  Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday to Sunday  9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
PICK YOUR OWN Opens Daily  Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions listed here+

March Farm
160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem, CT
(203) 266-7721
Apple picking begins Saturday, September 25
PYO APPLES CONTINUES 🍎 Currently we are picking by the farm store daily from 10-4:30pm.
Market, bakery, playscape, animal yard & corn maze

Rogers Orchards
2876 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke, Southington, CT
(203) 879-1206
336 Long Bottom Rd, Southington, CT
(860) 229-4240
Apple picking season has begun, Friday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.!
Here’s how it works! Choose the size bag you’d like to fill, 3 sizes available. Buy the bag before picking, pick to fill the bag, skip the line at the end!

Silverman’s Farm
451 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT
(203) 261-3306
Apple picking has begun (March 25,2021 – December 31, 2021)! (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

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.

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 pick 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.