Where To Pick Apples In Ridgefield: 2024 Guide

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Fall doesn’t officially start until the autumnal equinox on Sunday, Sept. 22, but the season is already underway at Ridgefield-area apple orchards.

There are plenty of activities at these fall attractions to appeal to all ages, especially kids.

Here are a few of the best apple orchards around Ridgefield. Before you go, be sure to call ahead or check the orchard’s website to clarify hours of operation or to check for the availability of apples.

While not a "pick your own" orchard, Halas Farm Market is huge, and nearby at 28 Pembroke Road in Danbury.

Just over the New York state line in North Salem is Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard at 130 Hardscrabble Road.

Silverman's Farm at 451 Sport Hill Road in Easton is open 7 days a week.

Beardsley's Cider Mill and Orchard at 278 Leavenworth Road in Shelton is open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until Christmas Eve.

Blue Jay Orchards at 125 Plumtrees Road in Bethel is home to over 8,000 producing trees, and 20-plus apple varieties.

While you are out scouting orchards, be sure to check out that extraordinary corn maze in nearby Brookfield, at Twins BBQ at 401 Federal Road.

The U.S. Apple Association estimates this season’s crop at 259,517,252 bushels, a 10 percent decrease from last year’s record harvest. Growers across the country report an excellent crop, Chris Gerlach, the trade group’s vice president of insights and analytics, said in a news release.

The Connecticut Apple Marketing Advisory Board has these tips for those planing on scoring a bushel or two of apples this autumn:

• Buy apples that are bruise-free and firm to the touch. Bruised apples can decay quickly.
• Handle apples gently to prevent bruising.
• Store apples in the refrigerator. They will last up to 10 times longer if refrigerated than if left at room temperature.
• Apples emit ethylene, a naturally-occuring gas that encourages ripening. Store apples in a plastic bag to prevent them from speeding the ripening of other produce items.
• Apples absorb odors easily, so store them away from foods with strong odors.
• Coat apple slices and dices in a mixture of 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water to retard browning.
• Unbruised apples, handled and stored well, have a storage life of 90 days, and often more.