Let’s Go Apple Picking!

These are the top spots to pick your own apples in our area.

By Alison Leighton

When September rolls around, I get excited about one big thing (no, not back-to-school season…): apple picking season! The fall brings us cute boots and sweaters, preparing to cozy up by a fi re, and pick-your-own apples! I also think a trip to the farm isn’t complete without a cup of delicious apple cider, followed by homemade treats (I’m looking at you, apple cider doughnuts!) to show the fruits of our labor (ha!). If you’re ready for apples galore, then check out these farms on Long Island, plus two great options in New Jersey that make great day trips. Your family will have a blast picking fresh fruit and checking out the various activities offered at each place, such as petting zoos, corn mazes, or sunfl ower picking.

A few things to keep in mind: Opening seasons are approximate as of the writing of this article since crops are based on weather conditions. Always check the farm’s website or call ahead to confi rm availability and COVID-19 guidelines given the ever-changing conditions. And don’t forget proper footwear as fi elds can be muddy or have uneven ground. Most farms don’t allow pets or picnicking (or any outside food, for that matter).

LONG ISLAND

Hayden’s Peach Orchard

561 Hulse Landing Road, Wading River haydenspeachorchard.com • 631-929-1115

Hours: Monday, 9am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9am-6pm. Apple picking season is slated to begin late August/early September, call before visiting to confirm.

Cost: $20 fee covers 3 people and the first 10lbs; $2 per additional pound

At this orchard, you can pick your own nectarines through late September, peaches through the end of September, and apples through late October. The orchard also has plenty of pre-picked fruits available at the farm stand. Visit the website for updates or call for fruit availability.

Lewin Farms

812 Sound Ave., Calverton Apple Orchard: Fresh Pond Avenue, approximately 2 miles east of farm stand lewinfarm.com • 631-929-4327

Hours: Farm stand: Wednesday-Monday, 9am-5pm; u-pick: daily, 9am-4:30pm; call each day for u-pick availability

Cost: Call for u-pick prices. Keep in mind: U-pick fields are cash only; there is an ATM located at the farm stand.

Apple picking is slated to begin in late August/early September and may not be available every day. Call daily for U-pick hours, which are weather permitting. The farm provides containers, but you are welcome to bring your own. There is a large variety of you-pick fruits and veggies, depending on the season, including berries, apples, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and pumpkins. Find the u-pick schedule online. Plus, the whole family will enjoy exploring the corn maze! Don’t forget to stop by the farm stand, which sells fresh fruits and veggies, many of which are grown on the farm, and delicious ice cream with the farms own fruit inside!

Milk Pail Fresh Market

Market: 1346 Montauk Highway, Watermill U-Pick: 50 Horsemill Lane, Watermill milk-pail.com • 631-537-2565

Hours: Market: year-round, Monday and Wednesday-Saturday, 9:30am-5:30pm; Sunday, 10am-5:30pm. U-pick: Labor Day weekend through October: Friday-Sunday, 10am- 5:30

Cost: $14-$51.45 depending on container size; a bag must be purchased to enter u-pick farm. Pumpkins, gourds, and squash are sold by the piece.

Apple and pumpkin picking are this farm’s specialty. The farm has more than 20 varieties of apples during picking season—all ideal for adding lots of flavors to your homemade pie! Plus, there are dwarf trees, which are the perfect height for younger kids to pick apples on their own. And when you’re finished picking, treat yourself to coffee, hot cider, and baked goods at the farm stand.

Wickham’s Fruit Farms

28700 Main Road, Cutchogue wickhamsfruitfarm.com • 631-734-6441

Hours: PYO: Monday-Saturday 10am3pm; Retail Farmstand: Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm

Cost: Call to confirm pricing

Picking fruit here is like making your mark on history: Wickham’s fruit is grown on some of the oldest continually cultivated land in the country! Much of the farm dates from 1661 and a large portion of it has been placed in Suffolk County’s Farmland Preservation programs. Apple picking is estimated to start in late September or early October, and the farm asks that you call ahead to confirm availability. Note: You can only use the containers the farm provides; personal bags, plastics, etc. are prohibited. Wagon rides are available on Saturdays during the apple-picking season; it’s a great way to get to the orchards but also to view the farm! When you’re done picking, try the delicious apple cider, which is pressed from the oldest cider press on Long Island (built in 1902!), and some homemade apple cider doughnuts.

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ

Demarest Farms

244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale demarestfarms.com 201-666-0472

Hours: PYO apples begins Sept. 4; Thursday-Monday, 8am5pm

Cost: $7 ages 2 and older, includes free parking and entrance to orchard; $14 for a bag to hold the apples you pick (approximately 1012 lbs.)

This farm has it all—pick your own fruit of all varieties, plus a petting zoo, drive-in movie nights, Halloween lights, and more. When you’re done picking, check out the farm store with a bakery, apple cider, flowers, and fresh produce. All pick-your-own activities require advanced, online reservations this year (this allows the farm to manage proper social distancing and COVID-19 regulations). Visits will be limited to your reservation time frame, so arrive promptly at your

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ

Alstede Farms

1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester alstedefarms.com • 908-879-7189

Hours: Farm Store: daily, 9am-7pm; PYO: daily, 9am-6pm

Cost: $14.99-$59.99, depending on how much produce you want to pick. Pre-purchased tickets required. Ticket includes access to pick-your-own areas, a container, the cost of the produce to fill said container, scenic hay wagon rides around the farm, and access to the hay pyramid and mazes.

The farm has more than 50 different apple varieties, which allows apple picking season to start earlier here than most farms—you can already find some varieties available and more will be ready later in the season. Call in advance or visit the “What Can I Pick Today” portion of the farm’s website to confirm which varieties are ripe. Check out the corn maze (opening late summer), evergreen maze, and sunflower trail (included with cost of PYO). For an additional cost, you can also cut your own sunflowers! Kids will love the pony rides and the tractor-pulled wagon ride, and you’ll want to come back for the farm’s live music events. It also offers U-Pick for myriad other fruits and veggies, such as blackberries, peaches, blueberries, tomatoes, and eggplants! And before you leave, indulge in the treats found at the Farm Store with homemade ice cream, fudge, apple cider doughnuts, and other desserts. Check out all the fun events and family activities the farm offers, including visits with its farm animals, by visiting the website. Oh, and if you’re coming from out of town, it offers a free shuttle service between the Gladstone Train Station and Alstede Farms on weekends and holidays (reservations required).

Alison Leighton is a freelance writer and marketing specialist and is the founder of Social Parent NYC—@SocialParentNYC on Facebook and Instagram—which hosts events for parents and their babies/toddlers. She lives in Westchester County with her husband and son and spends a lot of time reading Corduroy and wondering why Play-Doh smells so good.