Quick Guide: Best Time to Go Apple Picking

Want to know the best time to go apple picking? These are the tested and family-approved tips you need to know to be prepared. 

You will learn the best time to go apple picking based on state, get links to the best orchards in your area, quick tips for what to do before, during, and after your visit, and more! As someone who has come to love the tradition of apple picking, I will give you the rundown on the best tips for apple picking that my family and I swear by.  

After learning all about the best time to go apple picking, you will be a pro and extra prepared when enjoying the crisp fall air with friends and family! 

 

Best Time To Go, Apple Picking,

The short answer (because time is precious and enough of the million-word blog posts that require you to scroll and scroll to find the answer!) depends on where you live, but for the most part, September through early October is prime picking season. 

1. Crop Harvest Calendar 
   • We found a crop harvest calendar that allows you to search by state to figure out the general window in your area! Click Here 
2. Research Local Farms in Your Area
   • Once you understand the general ballpark, we recommend finding an apple orchard/farm near you and reviewing their website for their specific dates – both in terms of when they will open their fields for picking and what apples will be ready when. 
     • Here is a link to the Best Places to Go Apple Picking in Every State – Click Here
     • Here is an easy-to-use Directory to Find an Apple Orchard near You! – Click Here

Make a Tradition of it! 

Once you know what apple orchards you want to go to, reach out to friends and family with available weekends (within the optimal picking windows) and put a date on the calendar!  

• Editors Tips: Plan to arrive right when the orchard opens to avoid crowds. 

Preparing for Your Visit  

• Check the Orchard’s Website / Facebook Page One More Time. My dad always says proper planning ensures positive results! It’s best to double-check nothing has changed and you have the latest information. Most orchards these days have a website or Facebook Page they actively post on – Our advice is to check the Wednesday/Thursday before your visit. This is also a great way to be tuned into the exact types of apples available to pick and any special events they have going on that weekend.
• Pack a lunch + blanket and spend the whole morning or day at the apple farm! Most have picnic tables or beautiful areas perfect for you + your family + friends to have a picnic under a shady tree. 
• Bring Your Camera! There are so many fun photo opportunities! The beauty of apple picking lies in tradition. Take the same photo in the same place in the orchard every year — and before you know it, you’ll have a beautiful collection of images to reminisce and cherish.
• Don’t forget bug spray, sunscreen, and water! After all, you will be at an orchard, and typically, there can be many bugs and bees pollinate the trees in the spring. We’ve also seen poison ivy on the roots of the trees, so keep a close eye on the little ones! It can also be surprisingly warm in September, so everyone must stay hydrated! 

What Apples Should I Pick?

• The best apples are on the outside of the tree.  Start from the outside and work your way in. 
• To correctly pick an apple: roll the apple upward off the branch and give a little twist. You’ll know the apple is ripe if the stem is easily removed from the spur of the branch.
• A tree with apples littered on the ground beneath it — the “drops” — is likely even a little past ripe for picking— move on to another tree to avoid picking apples that will spoil too quickly.
• How to Store. The old saying “one rotten apple wrecks the bunch” is true. Be careful not to put bruised apples in the bag, as they rot the fastest, and take the others down with them. This is why as you pick the apples, it’s essential to place them in the bag gently so that they don’t bruise.

What To Do With All Your Apples

• We’re HUGE fans of Ina Garten around here and take any excuse to make one of her delicious recipes. Some of our favorites over the years are:
  • Deep Dish Apple Pie
  • Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
  • Homemade Apple Sauce

 

This post is about the best time to go apple picking that every family should know about.