Great Places to Pick Apples, Pumpkins, Grapes, Peppers, Eggplants, Tomatoes, Zucchini, and more!

Now is the perfect time to take the family to one of the many apple orchards in our area, all within an easy drive from Scarsdale. Make sure you call ahead to confirm hours, availability and attractions or special events. Leave your pets at home; they aren't allowed at most farms. If you are thinking of bringing a picnic, call ahead to make sure the farm allows you to bring your own food.

Apple picking season started around Labor Day and lasts through October. Go soon to get the best apples. Also, the apples on the lower branches, which are easier for smaller children to reach, generally get picked first.

Pumpkin picking season starts around October 1. The best pumpkins go fast and Halloween is coming soon!

When you arrive home with your apples, keep them in a cool spot (root cellar, crisper, etc.) to extend their freshness so you can enjoy them longer.

Westchester County

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard – North Salem, 914-485-1210
130 Hardscrabble Road; http://www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com/about.html
Formerly Outhouse Orchards, this family-run farm allows visitors to pick their own apples daily throughout the season. Easy drive up I-684 and good choice for young children. Fall festival with lots of activities for the family every weekend. Also enjoy wine tasting for the adults. Afterward, stop off at Muscoot Farm (free admission) to visit a working farm (muscootfarm.org) or walk around charming Katonah.

Stuart's Farm – Granite Springs, 914-245-2784
62 Granite Springs Road; http://www.stuartsfarm.com/
The Stuart family farm, the oldest in Westchester, offers nine types of apples. Also, pick your own pumpkins from the vine through November. Enjoy hayrides with the family.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm – Yorktown Heights, 914-245-5111
1335 White Hill Road; www.wilkensfarm.com/
Apple picking began the first week of September and there are dozens of varieties. Wilkens offers pumpkin picking beginning October 15 and cut-your-own Christmas trees starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Dutchess County

Fishkill Farms – Hopewell Junction, 845 897-4377
9 Fishkill Farm Road; http://fishkillfarms.com
Historic apple orchard run by the same family for more than 100 years. The farm's store stocks pies, donuts, pasture-raised eggs, locally produced ice cream, maple syrup and more. Apple varieties grown on the farm include Cortland, Spartan, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Mutsu, Jonagold, Idared, and Stayman Winesap.

Mead Orchards – Tivoli, 845-756-5641
15 Scism Road, off Rte. 9; www.meadorchards.com
Mead Orchards is a 185-acre fruit orchard and vegetable farm. Its orchards produce Fortune, Northern Spy, Senshu, Suncrisp, Cameo, Crimson Crisp and Ruby Frost, among others.

Orange County

Pennings Orchard – Warwick, 845-986-5959
Route 94 & Warwick Turnpike; http://penningsfarmmarket.com
Offers 15 varieties. Probably the biggest and one of the best orchards around. The trees tend to be low to the ground, so you don't need a pole to pick them. Good for small children. Adults can enjoy the hops garden and relax at the outdoor bar, which offers craft beer, wine, hard cider, live music, picnic table seating and lawn games.

Apple Ridge Orchards – Warwick, 845-987-7717
101 Jessup Road; www.appleridgeorchards.com
Located in the picturesque Warwick Valley, the views are worth the trip, plus you can pick pumpkins right off the vine. This is a great place for kids, as they have dwarf apple trees. An added attraction is the glass honey bee observation hive, where you can watch honey bees at work and learn about pollination. There are also hayrides, farm animals and fresh pressed apple cider and delicious homemade hot apple cider donuts.

Slate Hill Orchards – Slate Hill, 845-355-4493
2580 US Route 6; www.slatehillorchards.com
Every weekend starting the third week in September, you can pick apples, pumpkins and, a treat we don't usually see in our area as pick-your-own, grapes. All organic – no herbicides, pesticides or fungicides. Enjoy the hayrides and hay maze.

Rockland County

Dr. Davies Farm – Congers, 845-268-7020
306 Route 304
This historic 35-acre orchard is home to 4,000 trees and is open for picking daily. One of the oldest continually working farms in the area.

Long Island

The Milk Pail - Water Mill, NY, 631-537-2565
50 Horsemill Lane, Watermill, NY.
Choose from twenty apple varieties. This orchard has dwarf apples trees, which are the perfect height for all ages. Select your own pumpkins, squash and gourds in many sizes, shapes and colors.

Nearby New Jersey

Riamede Farm - Chester, NJ 908-879-5353
122 Oakdale Road. www.riamede.com
Bring your own scissors and snip a pumpkin right off the vine starting September 28! The farm offers a complimentary hayride to the picking field on weekends and Columbus Day. You can also pick your own apples in several varieties including heirlooms.

Connecticut

Silverman's Farm – Easton, CT 203-261-3306
451 Sport Hill Road. http://www.silvermansfarm.com
Pick your own apples and pumpkins. Animal farm/petting zoo with many animals, including buffalo, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, fallow deer, emus, long-horn cattle, and exotic birds.

Candee Farm – Easton, CT (203) 268-5623
456 Morehouse Rd
Candee Farm is a great stop just down the road from Silverman's Farm. You can pick your own fruits and vegetables throughout the spring and fall. They are currently offering peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, zucchini, and more, all at low prices.
Easy drive - located 45 minutes up the Merritt Parkway.