Apple picking season means tons of fresh, juicy apples—and the perfect excuse to collect every apple recipe we can find to make the most of fall’s favorite fruit. While experts in the field (literally) agree that the number of people heading to the farm to pick their own apples has dropped, farmers are more excited than ever to bring back the family favorite activity this apple picking season.

A lot of U Pick farms (farms where guests can head to the fields themselves to handpick the ripest produce) are a great opportunity for a fun family outing, says David Butler, co-owner and operator of Sky Top Orchard. “You really don’t remember how it looked or exactly how it tastes. You just remember the memory of when you came out as an 8-year-old and picked apples with your family,” he says. “That’s the memory, the apples are the catalyst.”

Steve Pennings, who co-owns family-owned Pennings Farm agrees. “It’s a high priority family activity. In this day and age, our family units aren’t as tight as they used to be,” he says. “We try to make sure [the orchard] is a great place to come.”

Ready to hit the orchard this apple picking season? Explore our expert tips on how to make the most out of your fall farm visit.

When is apple picking season?

The main apple picking season runs from Labor Day through Halloween, but this varies based on where you are in the country and what variety of apple you’re looking to pick, explains Butler. At his North Carolina farm, he sees the first of the new crop (like the ginger gold varieties) as early as August 15th and the famous honeycrisp apple ripens just around the same time. The apple season then works its way up the east coast and out west in time for mid-September, he says.

If you’re looking for a specific type, be sure to call your local farm to determine the best time to visit. Butler also says that though the end of the season is usually around October 31—Halloween—many areas of the country can continue their apple picking season through mid-November, depending on the weather. Once a hard freeze comes through, that’s typically the end of the season, Butler says.

He adds to not stress too much over the type of apple you pick, and to just enjoy the experience. You can definitely ask the farmer when you get there what they suggest, but Butler says most apples are pretty versatile and it all really depends on your personal taste preferences. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to know if you plan to cook or eat the apples raw and the farmer can help guide you in the right direction from there.

Apples to pick in August and September

According to Butler, these are some of the best apple varieties are ready to be plucked from the trees come August and September:

• Ginger Gold

• Honeycrisp

• Golden Delicious

• McIntosh

Apples to pick in October and November

Butler, says these are some of the best apple varieties to pick come October and November:

• Granny Smith
• Pink Ladies
• Winesape
• Staymen

What to know before heading to the orchard

One of the best parts of apple picking is that you can usually just stop right in. But if you have the time to prepare, Butler suggests a few steps for making the most of your apple picking season.

Do your research

Be sure to check the farm’s website or call ahead to check their hours, if they have any specific requirements, and what apple varieties they have available for apple picking, Butler suggests. Be sure to bring sunscreen if it’s a sunny day, bug spray to prevent any critters, water to hydrate, a camera (for the pics, of course!), and a picnic basket if the orchard allows or doesn’t provide their own food, he adds.

Have cash on hand

Though many farms do take credit cards, it’s almost always preferred and easier to pay with cash.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Bring your own bags for an environmentally-friendly option to take home your fruit, Butler says.

Dress appropriately for the activity

Most clothing options are totally okay for casual apple picking, but it’s best to dress appropriately for the outdoor activity if possible. Butler suggests avoiding flip-flops and sandals, and opting for zsoft tennis shoes or shoes with good traction that are suitable for the outdoors. Many farms have a lot of property to take a walk around, so be sure to wear casual-style hiking clothing for the most comfort to truly enjoy the full farm.

What to do with your picked apples

When it comes to cooking apples, Butler says varieties like gold rush are great for baking (Sky Top Farms uses them in their pies) and McIntosh are great for a softer variety to cook with or make into an applesauce or doughnuts.

Steve Pennings Jr., who is also a co-owner of Pennings Farm, notes not to toss apples that have gone soft. Any variety of apple makes for a great applesauce, pie, crisp, muffins, or fermented into apple cider vinegar or cider, and softer apples makes for an even better treat.

But snacking on raw apples is a delicious option that requires little, if any work. Butler particularly likes gala apples for a quick lunchtime treat, and Pennings completely agrees. “People don’t bake as much, but you can go through quite a few apples by throwing one in your lunch box,” Pennings says.

Activities that take advantage of apple picking season, beyond apple picking

Sure, you’re heading to a U Pick farm to walk into the orchard and pick some apples, but one often overlooked part of apple picking season is enjoying the activities and food available at most farms. When Butler was asked what the best variety of apples to pick is, he joked, “Our apple ciderdoughnuts! You must pick some of those.”

Many farms (like Pennings) also provide fun activities beyond apple picking:

• Hay rides

• Cafes featuring apple cider donuts, kettle corn, pizza, and seasonal ice cream

• Beer gardens or cideries

• A garden center

• Live music

• Trivia nights

Both Pennings and Butler encourage those apple picking this season to check their local farm’s website for fun events and activities the whole family—or a couple—can enjoy to make the most of the season.

The post How to Make the Most of Apple Picking Season, According to Orchard Owners appeared first on Prevention