Apple Picking in Westchester (in the Age of Covid)

Apple Picking in Westchester (in the Age of Covid) Apple orchards in Westchester and Dutchess County will scale back many festival activities this year. While Barton Orchards in Dutchess will still offer live music and other attractions, most other orchards have eliminated hayrides, tractor rides and other family activities. You will also have to plan ahead as social distancing guidelines, and capacity limits, may limit admission. Some orchards even require time-slot pre-registrations.

But when you get home you can still make your own Autumn Playlist (check out What To Do’s Autumn Playlist)  to play when you bake yourself a pie. “Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy, Makes your eyes light up, Your tummy say “Howdy.”

Where To Pick Apples in Westchester

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard: Apple Picking begins September 5 , Reservations Required: Harvest Moon has cancelled all of its Fall Festival Weekend activities this year in order to comply with state COVID-19 restrictions. That means no hayrides, pony rides, bounce houses or that great live music. You will also have to buy a ticket and register for a weekend time-slot. Your $50 ticket offers admission to their apple orchard, pumpkin patch and store for up to four people arriving in one car only. Plus a half-bushel bag that holds up to 25 pounds of apples. No vans or buses. Shop the store for local produce, farm fresh eggs, pastured meats, local farm products such as honey, maple syrup, and jams/jellies, baked goods, ice cream, sweet and hard cider, and donuts! (130 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem; www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard)

Outhouse Orchards: Apple begins September 5, Reservations Required: North Salem’s “home field” apple orchard (pumpkins too) and will also be using a reservation system for weekend trips to their farm and orchard. First pick of the season will feature Macintosh and Gala apples (check out their peach trees early in the season too.) All employees will be wearing masks (they request the same of you) and they have installed plexiglass dividers at all sales points. They also have a great farm stand so you can skip the farmer’s market when you go. Best of all, they WILL have their famous corn maze this season. (139 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem, 914.277.3188; www.outhouseorchardsny.com/)

Stuart’s Farm: Apple Picking begins September 5, No reservations! For straight quality apple and pumpkin picking in a low stress environment this is our favorite. They have dwarf trees so you don’t need an apple grabber. And their trees are grown in tight lines on flattish ground – making for very efficient yet still atmospheric apple picking. Stuart’s also has a very good farm stand, apple cider, donuts and a nice selection of potted chrysanthemums for fall. Reservations are not required. They will have a corn maze and pumpkin patch but no hay rides this year. (62 Granite Springs Rd., Granite Springs, 914.245.2784; www.stuartsfarm.com)

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Opens September 5 for Apple Picking, No reservations:  Now in their 104th season, reservations will not be required at Wilkens Fruit Farm this year. However, they will be operating at 50% capacity. So get there early or call ahead for guidance to avoid being turned away. Face masks and social distancing are required at all times and there are hand washing and sanitizer stations. The farm market will be open for one-way traffic, the winery will be closed and there will be a limited bakery menu – apple cider donuts, strudel and fresh baked pies. Their corn maze will be open. 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, a farm stand and a farm store where you can shop ahead for safe pickup. There’s live music on weekends and an extensive Festival Weekend schedule including a BBQ & Brew, Oktoberfest, Jack O’Lantern Jubilee and a Food Truck Festival. (63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag, 845-227-2306; www.bartonorchards.com)

Fishkill Farms: Open Mid-August, Reservations Required! Weekly reservation system allows parties of up to five for apple picking beginning in mid-August and pumpkin picking beginning in mid-September. You must arrive within a thirty minute window of your reservation and all parties are allowed up to one-hour of picking. Each party will be assigned a section of the field to pick when you arrive and they ask you to maintain social distance throughout your time on the farm. They also have a new COVID-related no sampling guideline – the makes a lot of sense. The farm is open for u-pick beginning with strawberry season 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: The Warwick Distillery grows 60 types of apple trees on their 120 acre orchard – offering by far the most eclectic selection of any orchard in our area. From the standard Mcintosh and Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Northern Spy, and Fuji to the more exotic Ginger Gold and Ashmead Kernal that looks like an heirloom tomato. They use all varieties in their handcrafted hard cider which you can try in their tasting room. There’s an outdoor restaurant offering gourmet farm to table cuisine (pizzas too) and live music will be returning this fall. Masks required except while dining and all facilities and orchards practice social distancing. (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 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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