Apple Picking in Westchester 2021

Apple Picking in Westchester 2021: Apple orchards in Westchester and Dutchess County are beginning to add back festival activities this year. Though the Dutchess orchards are opening wider than Westchester orchards. Most Westchester are still requiring reservations and timed entries, however. Only Fishkill Orchards in Dutchess is requiring reservations.

Where To Pick Apples in Westchester

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard: Peach Picking through September 6, Apple Picking begins September 11 – Reservations Required: Peach picking began last weekend and will run through Labor Day. Apple Picking (from trees or bins) begins on September 11 and will be held on weekends only. This year country music and hay rides will return. Plus sweet and hard cider at their two bars, and a BBQ lunch including their own farm fresh burgers. You will have to buy a ticket and register for a time-slot for $10 per person which also gets you a small bag (children three and under go free).  Check out their country store for local produce, farm fresh eggs, honey, maple syrup, and jams/jellies, ice cream and donuts! (130 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem; www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard)

Outhouse Orchards: Peaches, Pears & Apple Picking begins Labor Day Weekend – Reservations Required beginning September 11: North Salem’s “home field” apple orchard (pumpkins too) will open for picking Labor Day weekend – no reservations required. Beginning September 11 their reservation system will kick in. An open landscape offers great vistas and relaxed hikes around the farm. They also have a great farm stand so you can skip the farmer’s market when you go. Great tomatoes and vistas! (139 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem, 914.277.3188; www.outhouseorchardsny.com/)

Stuart’s Farm: Apple & Pumpkin Picking begins September 6 – No reservations! Stuarts offers 20 varieties of apples (the most in Westchester) and this handy chart so you can see what’s picking when. They have dwarf trees so you don’t need an apple grabber. And their trees are grown in tight rows on flattish ground – making for very efficient yet still atmospheric apple picking. There’s a nice farm stand with fresh baked pies, apple cider, donuts and potted chrysanthemums. Hay rides return in 2021. No CC. (62 Granite Springs Rd., Granite Springs, 914.245.2784; www.stuartsfarm.com)

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Open Now for Peach Picking, Apple Picking begins September 4. Now in their 105th season, Wilkens Fruit Farm offers pick your apples, peaches and pumpkins. They offer 13 apple variety’s for picking and another seven for purchase in the farm market. Check out their when to pick guide here. Including ten varieties of apples. They are closed on Tuesdays but open the rest of the week. They have a bake shop offering apple cider donuts, strudel sticks, pies and cookies – plus a winery.  Come back in December to cut your own Christmas tree. (We did.) (1335 White Hill Rd., Yorktown Heights, 914.245.5111; www.wilkensfarm.com)

Where to Pick Apples in Dutchess

Barton Orchards: Open now – No reservations: This 175 acre orchard is the biggest apple picking extravaganza in our area. If you want the full Disney World apple picking adventure this is your place. (Chill warning: It can be very frenetic!) Attractions include hay rides, a petting zoo, mini golf, a haunted house, and a new six-course Tree-Top Adventure Park. (Advance reservations required.) Plus a concession stand, and a farm store. There’s live music on weekends and themed Festival Weekends  including a BBQ & Brew, Oktoberfest, Beer, Bourbon & Bacon, and a Jack O’Lantern Jubilee. (63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag, 845-227-2306; www.bartonorchards.com)

Fishkill Farms: Open Mid-August – Reservations Required! This 270 acre apple orchard and vegetable farm offers a weekly reservation system. They will be open for peach picking on 9/4 & 5. Reservations for berry picking will open on 9/2. Closed on Labor Day. The reservation system for picking their eco-certified apples beginning on 9/7 and running through 10/15 is also now open. The farm’s u-pick season begins with strawberries in June, berries in July, and peaches, plums pears and vegetables in August. (9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, 845,897, 4377; www.fishkillfarms.com)

Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery: An hour 15 from downtown Armonk the Warwick Valley Winery is by far the longest trek. But they grow 60 types of apple trees on their 120 acre orchard – the most eclectic selection of any orchard in our area. From the standard Mcintosh and Honey Crisp, to the more exotic Ginger Gold and Ashmead Kernal that looks like an heirloom tomato. Check out their handy seasonal guide to what’s picking when. Plus there’s a tasting room for their award-winning wines and ciders, an outdoor farm to table restaurant and weekend music festivals. Open seven days from August 29 to November 8.  (114 Little York Rd. Warwick, 845.258.4858; www.wvwinery.com)

Where to Buy Local Apples

Salinger’s Orchard: Bruce Salinger grows and sells 18 varieties of apples, as well as pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, pumpkins, tomatoes and other local vegetables not to mention pure local honey. His wife Maureen, does the baking and makes “incredible fruit pies at incredible prices,”  including apple, peach, red raspberry, pumpkin and pecan. Your mom will love the apple strudel. Plus doughnuts, cookies, scones, and muffins. (230 Guinea Rd., Brewster, 845.277.3521; www.salingersorchard.com)

Thompson’s Cider Mill: Cider (sweet and hard cider) made at the mill, pies and baked goods, and a wide variety of locally grown apples including many unusual and heirloom varieties. September favorites include Macoun, Gala, Arlet, Rhode Island Greening, McIntosh, 20-Ounce Pippin, Honeycrisp, Jonamac, Jonathan and Senshu. In early October you can find Jonagold, Mustu/Crispin, Gold Delicious and Liberty. The late season entries Winesap, Idared, Gold Russet, Arkansas Black and Newtown Pippin arrive between October 20 and 31. And now Artisanal, Small Batch Hard Cider. (335 Blinn Rd., Croton-on-Hudson, 914.271.2254; www.thompsonscidermill.com)

Apple Harvest Dates

Chances are you’re wicked proud just for finding the time to go apple picking every year. But apple aficionados know when to go to find their fave variety ready for pickin’. If you’re tired of shopping for Mutsus and coming home with Cortlands, here’s a guide to apple harvest dates from the New York State Apple Association.

• McIntosh:  Aug. 28–Sept. 16

• Honey Crisp:  Sept. 6–Sept. 30
• Cortland:  Sept. 11–Sept. 25
• Macoun:  Sept. 14–Oct. 3
• Empire:  Sept. 18–Oct. 10
• Red Delicious:  Sept. 18–Oct. 10
• Jonagold:  Sept. 26–Oct. 15
• Golden Delicious:  Oct. 1–Oct. 18
• Ida Red:  Oct. 6–Oct. 28
• Fuji:  Oct. 13–Nov. 1
• Northern Spy:  Oct. 20–Nov. 5

Some useful tips:

• Good storing apples: The later the picking date the better the apples store. Make sure to refrigerate early picked apples.

• Best variety for apple sauce: Cortland
• Best variety for salads: Cortland (stays white longer.)
• Best variety for apple pie: Ida Red, Jonagold and Northern Spy

Homemade Doughnuts

Freshly made doughnuts go hand in hand with a visit to the orchard. But if you’re not doing the apple-picking thing this season and just want the doughnuts, stop by Beascakes in Armonk. You’ll find old-fashioned cake doughnuts in several varieties: cinnamon sugar, plain glaze, chocolate glaze, powdered, and black and white. Tues–Sun. At 575 N. Main St., Armonk, 914.273.3612.

More useful tips from What To Do’s Fall Survival Checklist.

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