Apple picking is so much more than just a fun fall activity. It’s also a great way to support your local farmers and source more of your food locally. Here you’ll find many reasons you should consider going apple picking. Plus tips for which varieties you should get.
“It is remarkable how closely the history of the apple tree is connected with that of man.” – Henry David Thoreau.
Apple picking is something that has been a large part of my life ever since I can remember. we go pretty much every year without fail. Apples in general I feel have been a large part of my life, my family, and growing up.
We’ve just always loved apples. My mum makes the best apple pie and crisp in the world. We love apples and cheese, and apples in peanut butter, and we even named our golden retriever Mac. Short for Mcintosh, our favorite apple, of course.
Apples are a family favorite around here, and possibly even my favorite fruit. And all of this began simply because my mum and dad decided to make apple picking a yearly endeavor, and it’s been a tradition ever since.
But why should you start apple picking? You might ask. Well, there are quite a few reasons, and I’m more than happy to be sharing them with you. If you’ve ever wondered why people go apple picking? Is is even worth it? Or what kind of apple to pick if you do go. Then you are in the right place, and without further ado let’s get into it.
Why should you start going apple picking?
Apple picking is a great source of local food. And if like me, you want to start supporting your local farmers and community, apple picking is a great place to start.
Not only is it a great place to source local food, but it’s also a great way to start incorporating more fresh food into your diet. Going apple picking means the apples you get are perfectly ripped and picked right from the tree by you. Unlike the ones from the store that are picked early, processed, and shipped, all before they have the chance to ripen.
Apple picking also makes the perfect fall family activity. And not only because you get to pick apples.
Most orchards offer a variety of different things to do while you are there, you can pick apples, go to the pumpkin patch, or do a corn maze.
Some places even have fun little places set up to take pictures, and you buy fresh caramel apples on your way out!
I can’t think of many activists that scream fall more than spending an afternoon at the apple orchard!
Is it worth it?
To be perfectly honest this isn’t an easy question to answer. Of course, prices vary from state to state and each orchard sets its own prices. So it can be a little tricky to say whether or not picking your own apples comes out cheaper.
Personally, I pay about the same price for apples we pick, as I pay for a bag of them in the store.
That alone would make it worth in my opinion, getting to spend a fun afternoon out and about with family, and come home with fresh apples, and it doesn’t cost any more than buying them from the store. Sign me up!
I think this really boils down to what is most important to you when it comes to the food you eat.
Apples from an orchard are fresher and better tasting than apples from the store.
They are also less processed, while some orchards spray their trees you can find ones that don’t. They don’t wax their apples or clean them with chemicals before selling either.
If local, fresher, and healthier foods are important to you, then I would 100% recommend apple picking.
If those things aren’t really on your radar, I would still suggest going, it’s lots of fun, especially for families! But overall you might not find it to be as worth it as some of us do.
Of course, it’s up to you in the end, you might find it to be totally worth it, or you might find it to be overrated before one thing is for sure, you won’t know unless you try!
What Variety should I get?
I’m always surprised at how many varieties of apples there are. And while most orchards don’t sell more the ten tops, it can still be overwhelming to decide which one to get.
Personally, I believe Mcintosh apples are best, period. They are perfectly crisp, taste great, and have just the right amount of sweetness which makes them perfect for both fresh eating and baking. And they make the best pies in the world.
However, I would suggest taking a moment to think about what the apples are going to be used for. Then decide what kind you should get.
If you plan to eat most of them fresh, you might want to try a sweeter variety such as Cortlands or Gala.
If you plan to bake with most of the apples, you might want to try something like Mcintosh, Honeycrisp, or Pick lady.
Or perhaps you want a variety that is more exciting such as Wolf River apples(kids love these because they are so big. They also make great pies.)
But there are many more varieties, lots of which are quite delicious, and can be used for many different things. Plus another great thing about apple orchards is that you can pick more than one variety!
All in all, I would say apple picking is loads of fun, a great way to support your local farmers makes the perfect fall activity!
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