Going apple picking? Here are 14 products to make your trip to the orchard more fruitful
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Autumn brings many fun activities such as leaf peeping and apple picking. Whether you fancy Fuji or Granny Smith, Red Delicious or Golden Delicious, you'll probably be able to pick them at an orchard near you. Perhaps you'll even be able to visit one of the top ten apple orchards in the country.
No matter where you decide to go to get your apple picking on, you'll want to be prepared for the weather, the walking and the exciting activities that follow. That's why we've come up with this list of 14 products you need for your apple orchard trip so that you can just focus on having fun.
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When is apple picking season?
The majority of apple picking season happens between Labor Day and Halloween, however, it really depends on where in the country you live. In New England, for example, apple picking season typically winds down by November when the temperatures drop. If you're unsure, your best bet is to call your local farm or orchard to see if they're still in-season. Plus, they can tell you exactly what kinds of apples they currently have a supply of as apple stock changes from month to month.
►Related: Peep the leaves by rail: Amtrak has you covered for foliage spotting this fall
How to find apple picking near me
Apple orchards can be found across the country, although some orchards are superior, according to readers. If you can't find a desirable option or an orchard that's close enough in the list above, you can simply Google "apple orchard near me" or "pick your own apples" and a plethora of options will populate.
1. A high-quality camera to capture the views
Apple orchards are beautiful—you’ll want to take lots of pictures for personal albums or social media. As good as your phone camera is, it probably won't cut it when it comes to capturing the stunning details of an orchard. If you're a beginner when it comes to photography, we recommend the Nikon D3500, which we ranked the number one camera for beginners thanks to its compact build and ability to send pictures straight to your phone as they're taken.
2. A classic flannel to stay cozy
Apple picking has the propensity to be a chilly activity. Don't let the cooler temperatures keep you from enjoying your time at the orchard; make sure you're properly dressed for the occasion. Ditch the short-sleeved T-shirt and go for something that'll keep you cozy throughout the day. The Alaskan Guide Shirt from Filson is made out of 8-ounce cotton flannel and comes in several colors like classic red-and-black and a more unique green-and-black. Reviewed Style Editor Anthony Palliparambil loves how premium the shirts feel.
For a more feminine fit, L.L. Bean offers this flannel that has rave reviews thanks to its softness and warmth. This is a shirt you’ll want to keep in your rotation even after fall is over.
3. A stylish sherpa jacket for warmth and style
If you're looking for an extra layer of protection against the autumnal chill, we recommend getting a sherpa jacket like Levi’s sherpa trucker jacket, which has thousands of rave reviews. I, personally, love it for being warm and customizable with patches and enamel pins that you can purchase or add on if you so choose. It's the most stylish jacket in my wardrobe and it will probably be yours, too. If you're more a fan of corduroy, Levi's also offers a jacket for you in various colors and sizes. Plus, it's machine washable.
4. A cozy beanie to keep your ears warm
You’ll want a fleece or wool hat to keep your head and ears warm during your outing. Plus, on the off-chance an apple falls from a tree and hits you on the noggin, a hat will cushion the impact. This fisherman's rolled beanie from Patagonia has many positive reviews, with buyers praising its stylishness and warmth. This hat comes in several colors, so you can choose the one that fits best with the rest of your rocking outfit.
5. Shades to block out the sun
Just because it's cooler out doesn't mean that the sun isn't shining bright. To keep the glare of sunshine out of your eyes (and to look cool), you should pick up this pair of Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses, which is the best pair of sunglasses you can get. With their clear lens in a multitude of colors and chic frames, these sunnies are classic for a reason.
6. Sunscreen to protect your face
While your body may be covered with clothes during your outing, your face is still exposed to harmful sun rays. Mineral sunscreen offers protection against UV rays without tons of chemical add-ins. However, it can leave an unappealing covering on your skin. After thorough testing, we found Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50 to be the best because it smells great, it has a lightweight feel and it doesn't leave an undesirable white cast.
7. An eco-friendly apple bag
Most apple orchards offer their own bags for you to fill, but if you want to go with something more eco-friendly (and to hold more) you can bring your own. The V&H Fruit Picking Bag is durable and straps onto you to keep your hands free for a more convenient apple-picking experience. Not to mention, it'll leave your hands free to bring home copious amounts of apple cider donuts and jugs of fresh apple cider.
8. A travel mug for hot cider
You might just find yourself fancying a hot cup of apple cider while you’re out and about the orchard. Consider bringing a mug with you to fill you up with a hot drink before you go. When it comes to travel mugs, it doesn't get any better than the Zojirushi SM-KHE48. Thanks to its sleek design, the Zojirushi is compact for easy carrying and storage. Most importantly, it retains heat excellently, so whatever you bring for your trip will remain piping hot throughout the duration.
9. A water bottle to stay hydrated
A trip through the apple orchard can take a few hours and with all the walking you'll be doing, it's important to stay hydrated. Out of all the water bottles we've tested, we found the Brita BB11 Premium Filtering Water Bottle to be the best thanks to its insulation that keeps water bottles cool for up to 24 hours and its filter that keeps your water tasting fresh.
10. Boots to tie together your outfit
While most apple orchards utilize a wagon to shuttle pickers from field to field, the time spent walking down tree aisles can quickly add up. You'll want boots that are comfortable and durable. Being stylish also doesn't hurt. With this in mind, we recommend L.L. Bean's iconic bean boots for your next apple-picking excursion. The boots' rubber soles and full-grain leather offer traction and stability while retaining comfort.
11. A wagon for the kids
While apple picking can be a fun activity for the whole family, it can prove a challenge for young children who aren't used to walking for extended durations. To make sure your youngins enjoy the trip from beginning to end, pick up a wagon for them to sit in if they get tired. The Radio Flyer 3-in-1 has hundreds of positive ratings at Target and it's a particularly good choice for apple picking because it folds into a compact shape, making it easy to load onto the orchard's wagon.
12. A blanket to sit back and enjoy the scenery
L.L. Bean doesn't just make stylish, comfortable boots—it also makes stylish, comfortable blankets. After hours of picking apples, it's always satisfying to sit back, relax and eat the literal fruits of your labor. With this plaid, outdoor blanket, you can have a fun picnic or use it to keep warm on the wagon. Either way, when you're done, it's easy to fold and store in the carrying bag that it comes in. It's completely machine washable, making it a cinch to clean after it gets dirty.
13. An apple peeler and corer for food prepping
No matter what you plan on making or baking your apples into, you'll likely need to peel and core them. While an apple is a fruit, our favorite vegetable peeler, the Kuhn Rikon 3-Set Original Swiss Peeler, peels apples as well as it does carrots and potatoes. It's long-lasting and easier to use than competing brands. For a corer, we recommend one from OXO. It's a kitchen brand we love for a variety of products and their corer is easy to use and has thousands of positive ratings on Amazon.
14. A pie pan to bake the fruits of your labor
Looking to turn your freshly picked apples into a delicious pie? There's no better way to bake it than with the Emile Henry 9" Pie Dish. Out of all the pie dishes we've tested, this one came out on top. This cute dish is available in several colors, it maintains a high heat resistance and it's deep, meaning that you'll be able to make pies big enough to impress all your family and friends.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Apple picking 2022: When is apple picking season and what to bring
