Apple-picking season is a wonderful time of year. The first crisp fall days inspire us to get out and savor the autumnal beauty and mild temperatures. Weekends are filled with fun fall activities. In recent years I’ve added apple-picking to our fall activity list and it has quickly become a family favorite. If you’ve never been apple-picking I highly recommend giving it a try. Now that I’m no longer a total rookie, I’ll pass along a few things I’ve learned from my apple-picking experiences. Here are 8 must-know tips for the apple-picking season that will assure a good time.
1. Bring a wagon
If you plan on picking a large quantity it’s a good idea to bring a wagon.
The basket full of apples gets heavy fast and you may have a lot of territory left to cover. A wagon comes in handy not only for hauling the youngsters but to help carry that full basket.
2. Don't get carried away
It’s easy to get carried away.
I’ll admit it’s fun picking apples. It’s also easy to suddenly realize there are more apples in the basket than family, friends, teachers, and co-workers to help eat them. Make a list before heading into the orchard to avoid over-picking. Apples are delicious, but if they’re going to go bad when you get them home that’s just sad.
3. Sunblock, hats, and shoes!
Sunblock, hat and comfy shoes are a must during apple-picking season.
Sunny fall days may be cooler, but the sun can still be brutal. Be prepared. Even if you’re going to be surrounded by trees in an orchard the sun peeks through. Don’t be sorry. The same goes for shoes. Being stylish has a time and place but in an orchard comfort is a priority.
4. Arrive early
Arriving early is an essential element to a successful visit to an orchard. If you get there early it’s usually less crowded. It’s also much easier to pick when there aren’t hoards of people in the orchard. You’ll also be able to work the trees at your own pace.
5. Call ahead
Temperature, storms, frost, the volume of visitors all affect the picking season at an orchard. If your area experienced a relatively warm winter that could in turn create an early harvest. It’s always wise to call ahead to assure your favorite orchard isn’t “picked-out.”
September is typically the apple-picking season in the southeast. Did you know there are dozens of North Carolina apple festivals (click for a list)?
6. Remember your camera this apple-picking season!
This one may go without saying. The scenery at an orchard on a sunny fall day is phenomenal. Add a cute kid, the apple of your eye, and it’s the perfect photo-op. Fortunately, phones have cameras so be sure to carry it along for those Insta-perfect photos you’ll want to share.
7. Study your apples first
Learning the varieties of apples before you visit the orchard is a huge help and time-saver.
The first time I went picking I was clueless and picked anything. Now that I’m more experienced, I’ve learned which apples are sweet and which ones are tart and can better plan my picking to meet my needs. Most orchards list what they grow on their websites.
8. Pinterest
Pinterest! That’s right, and here’s why I whole-heartedly recommend scouring this website. Should you come home and discover you’ve over-picked and don’t know what to do with all the apples, Pinterest is a great place to find recipes.
Apple crisp, apple sauce, apple butter, apple cider, apple tarts, apple pie – you name it, there’s a recipe on Pinterest. There’s nothing better than the aroma of apples and cinnamon slowly simmering in the crockpot. Fresh apple sauce is scrumptious. It tastes even better when you’ve picked the apples yourself. Yum!
Are you ready for the apple-picking season?
There’s something special about the apple-picking season. Bright sunny days, crisp temperatures, and a festive feeling that comes after having endured a long hot summer feel like a reward. Maybe it’s the enjoyment of spending time in the country away from normal day-to-day noises. Whatever the reason, apple-picking affords an opportunity to get outside, enjoy, and take a bite out of life.
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