Sunshine Headed To The HV: Guide To Apple Picking In 2023

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The rain will move out Saturday afternoon, and the rest of the weekend will be sunny — so take advantage of a clear, crisp day and head to one of the region's orchard for a bushel or two of the year's finest apples.

Hudson Valley fruit farms were hit with a deep freeze May 18 that severely damaged the crops. Still, most of these "pick your own" orchards have lots to offer, including apples and pumpkins, a chance to pick up other seasonal vegetables, check out the gift shop, and enjoy some family-style events and activities.

Farmers remind pick-your-own folks that many people are enjoying their orchards, so don't touch what you don’t intend to buy, and don’t eat in the fields.

Fix Bros. Farm, 215 White Birch Road, Hudson, NY. Cash or check only. Orchard Days are Wednesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cash or check. Their PYO Apple Orchard offers a lot of different varieties! They all ripen at different times throughout the season. Ready in September: Macoun, Empire, Fortune, Jonagold, Red Rubens, Crimson Crisp, Autumn Crisp, Mutsu. Ready in October: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Ever Crisp, Crimson Crisp, Autumn Crisp, Ludacrisp, Mutsu, Fuji. Go to their website for the amazing story of their 100-year-old McIntosh apple tree and the new apple that'll be named the Fix McIntosh — it's a quick read.

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm, 1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights.914 245-5111. Celebrating its 107th year of harvest! The apple season started in September, but there could be a couple of weeks left. The farm is OPEN WEDNESDAYS-MONDAYS starting late August through mid-December. Farm is closed Tuesdays. Pick-Your-Own: 10AM-4:30PM. View the Harvest Calendar for more specific dates. Stop by the farmers markets and gift shop, and check out the wine-tastings.

Stuart's Fruit Farm, 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs. 914 245-2784. The 200-acre family-owned farm offers nine different varieties of apples as well as pumpkins. Apple picking runs daily from 10am – 5pm through November. Aside from the perfect apple picking with an array of apples in Stuart's farm bags, you can take a hayride around the orchard (hayrides are weekends only) and visit the farm stand to buy fresh produce and the bakery for delicious apple cider donuts and homemade pies baked daily. Before heading home have a picnic with your family to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. Cash or check only.

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem. 914 485-1210. The pick your own season kicks off in September and runs right through the end of October. Apple picking tickets are released on a weekly basis on the website! The farm store is open every day 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and kitchen hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. BBQ lunch, hot apple cider donuts, refreshing apple cider slushies, fresh baked pies, pumpkins, and gifts, and live country music. The locally famous Hardscrabble Cider is produced on the farm.

Dr. Davies Farm, 306 Route 304, Congers. 845 268-7020. Apple picking every day 10am-4pm through Nov. 9. Cash only. No reservations required for individuals and families; schools trips require reservations. The Red Barn Cidery is open Thursday & Friday 3:00 pm - Dusk and Saturday & Sunday 12:00 pm -Dusk. For information about their music and food trucks check their Red Barn Cidery website.

The Orchards of Concklin, 2 South Mountain Road, Pomona. 845 354-0369. Open to the public for picking Saturdays and Sundays only, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every person entering the orchard is required to purchase a 1/2 peck bag ($16) (children under 3 free). Additional bags may be purchased before entering the orchard.You can also visit the farm stand, and taste the fresh-pressed apple cider. The bakery offers delicious pies, cookies, and pastries.

Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction. 845-897-4377. Reservations for Fall Harvest Season are now posted now through Oct. 10. They will be open on Monday, Oct. 9. We will be closed on Tuesday, Oct. 10. They have some fun events in store like their Fall Harvest Festivals! Check out the events page to learn more about live music at the cider bar, yoga on the farm, harvest festivals and more. "We are confident that even with New York climate challenges, we can cultivate good produce that’s nutritious for both us and the land. We pledge to improve our growing methods each season and to support our community as much as our soil supports our crops."

Apple Hill Farm, 124 Route 32, New Paltz. 845 255-1605. Enjoy a hayride, come and get fresh pressed apple cider and take home some of our famous apple cider donuts. Tables are available for a picnic or, if you prefer, bring a blanket to relax and enjoy the views. Pick Your Own is Friday thru Sunday, 10am-5pm. through Oct. 15. The farm stand will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Oct. 29.

Hurds Family Farm, 2185 Route 32, Modena. 845 883-6300. Picking and events all day Friday-Monday and after 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. For Saturdays and Sundays, tickets for apple picking and fun family activities (pony rides start in October) are sold separately. Tickets go on sale the Tuesday before.

Wilklow Orchards, 341 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland. 845 691-2339. Apple picking open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Music on Fridays from 6-9 p.m. Before you go into the orchard we will give you a bag to pick in and if you want, you can use a Picker Pole for the apples that are out of reach. You have a choice of a Large or Small Bag. The Large Bags hold 20-25 lbs, and get 4 people (anyone 5 or over) in the Orchard, and the Small bags hold 10-12 Lbs and allow two people in. You can buy as many bags as you like! We will also give you a detailed map of the orchard. You can pick out what types of apples you want, and you will know where to find them! We have a whole Road stand full of snacks and fun fall treats that you can enjoy after a fun filled afternoon of apple picking.

Greig Farm, 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook. 845 758-1234. The farm has been open to the public for more than 60 years. Apple picking began in late August and continues through late October. The family of pygmy goats can be found playing on their jungle gym and rolling around mountains of hay all year round. Bring a few quarters to feed the goats alfalfa pellets from your hand. Booths are open for check-in/check-out 7 days a week from 10am-5pm.

Rose Hill Farm, 1798, 19 Rose Hill, Red Hook. 845 758-4215. Pick your own 3pm-dusk Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays. You can peruse offerings in the Taproom, select snacks and order your wine, cider, beer at the bar. For food pop-ups, live music, events and classes, see details on their Events page. Check the website for the latest ripening schedule and hours of operation. We recommend wearing long pants and sturdy shoes and bring along a hat and sunscreen.

Lawrence Farm Orchards, 39 Colandrea Road, Newburgh. 845 562-4268. During picking season they are open daily from 9am-4pm. In addition to apples they have a tasty array of vegetables at their farm stand. Admission to the farm is $7 per person Monday-Thursday $10 per person Friday-Sunday and Holidays (season passes are available). Children 2 and under are free. Weather conditions sometimes change picking schedules and availability.

Did we miss a favorite apple-picking spot? Email Lanning.Taliaferro@patch.com and we'll add it.