PICK YOUR PLEASURE
Tis the season to fill a basket full of apples. Tips and destinations for a delightful day,
Apple picking season is in full swing. What better way to enjoy autumn than a day trip to pick your own apples and enjoy the simple pleasures of a walk through an orchard, all while supporting local farmers.
If apple picking is on your fall to-do list, it’s not too late to go — the season can stretch into the end of October, weather depending.
Whether you prefer an old-fashioned farm that focuses simply on apple picking or are looking for more of a destination that offers extras such as petting zoos, corn mazes or a photo-worthy backdrop, there are lots of great U-pick apple orchards to choose from located within an hour of Toronto.
But first, a few apple-picking tips:
Come prepared
Before you go, call ahead to check if the orchard is open for picking and to find out what varieties are available. Availability will depend on whether the apples have been picked out. Plan to bring some sturdy bags for your apples, just in case the orchard doesn’t provide them.
Size them up
Pam Rolph-Romeril, owner of Pine Farms Orchard, a small, family-run apple farm in King Township, recommends looking for apples to pick that are a good size and colour.
“If they are a limey green (unless they are Granny Smith), they are not ready yet,” Rolph-Romeril says.
Know how to pick ’em
What’s the best way to pick an apple?
“Eye to the sky and twist,” Rolph-Romeril says. “On the bottom of the apple it looks like an eye. Take the apple and hold it gently, roll the apple upwards and give it a twist. When you pick the apple, it should come off fairly easily. If you really have to work at it, it’s not ready to come off.”
Store with care
Laura Kelly, of Carl Laidlaw Orchards, recommends storing apples in the fridge in a plastic bag to maintain their crispness. “They love humidity, I place a damp tea towel on top of them too,” Kelly says.
We’ve also rounded up five great orchards so that you can plan your apple-picking adventure. Since the length of the season all depends on weather, be sure to call ahead.
Carl Laidlaw Orchards
9496 Heritage Rd., Brampton, 905-456-2095 Open weekends, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A charming seventh-generation family apple farm nestled in the Credit River Valley. Sample apple varieties at the tasting wagon before heading out on a wagon ride into the orchards. When you’re finished picking, try your hand at making an apple pie, roast a hotdog, play in the hay barn and shop in the barn market.
Willis Family Fruit Farm
6063 Fifth Line, Milton, 905-8762606 Open weekends, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A simple, family-friendly farm. No fancy extras, just good apple picking and a picturesque location. Wagon rides available in the mornings. Shop at the fruit stand where pre-picked apples are available to purchase. While you’re there, visit the pumpkin patch to pick up a Halloween pumpkin.
Watson Farms Ltd.
2287 Regional Hwy 2, Bowmanville, 905-623-9109 Open daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Head east to Bowmanville for a fun day out with the family. When you are finished picking apples, the kids will love the free tractor rides (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays), playground and petting zoo. The apple farm market which sells Ontario produce and baked goods is open until Dec. 23.
Dixie Orchards
14309 Dixie Rd., Caledon, 905-8385888 Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
A small family-run apple farm located in picturesque Caledon. Pick up a fresh-baked pie or candy apple at the market. Kids will love to visit the farm animals, pick a pumpkin, get lost in a corn maze and play in the straw jump. Wagon rides on weekends.
JC Agri Orchards
3105 16th Sideroad, King City, 705-733-5369 Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Formerly known as country apple orchard farm, this family-run orchard in the Greenbelt offers picky-our-own apples, a store and a café.