Where to pick your own apples this fall in New Jersey
Corn, peaches and blueberries might get all the attention when it comes to New Jersey produce, but as summer fades into fall, it's all about apples.
The best time to pick them is late August through September — so get going! Some apple orchards are open now for u-pick.
Here are some of our favorites, and what you should know before you go. One important note: Always call a farm or orchard before you visit, as picking conditions and prices can change.
Alstede Farms, Chester Township
Why you should go: Alstede Farms features an ice cream stand, a cider mill, farm animals and wine tastings.
What you should know: All pickers must pre-purchase a ticket that includes a specific container ranging in size from a quarter-peck bag to a large produce box ($16.99). Tickets include access to the pick-your-own areas, a container (including all the apples you can fit in it), wagon rides, and entry to the hay pyramid, Blooming Giants Sunflower Trail and evergreen maze. A family pass, which includes access to the same activities and a 10-pound produce box, costs $59.99.
Go: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester Township; 908-879-7189, alstedefarms.com.
Battleview Orchards, Freehold Township
Why you should go: The family-owned Battleview Orchards offers different u-pick fruits and vegetables throughout the year, and come fall, Gala, Jonamac, Macintosh, Cortland, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Empire and many more varieties of apple are available to pick. Don't forget to stop at the farm store for warm apple cider doughnuts and a frosty cider slushy.
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What you should know: Backpacks, large purses, large diaper bags and reusable fruit containers are not permitted in the picking area. There is no admission fee to enter the orchard. A container will be provided; apples are priced per pound and weighed at checkout. Picking is first come, first served; you can't reserve tickets ahead of time. Cash only for u-pick.
Go: 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold Township; 732-462-0756, battlevieworchards.com.
Beemerville Orchard, Sussex
Why you should go: Beemerville Orchard is located in the middle of lush Sussex County — you'll forget your gridlocked traffic blues. The small, remote farm has been family-owned since 1976. In late September, the orchard begins pressing its apples for homemade cider.
What you should know: No need for reservations at Beemerville. Apples are sold by the quart, half-peck, full peck, half bushel and full bushel. Prices had not yet been set.
Go: 73 Lusscroft Road, Sussex; 973-875-1029, facebook.com.
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
Why you should go: Demarest offers hot, fresh-made apple cider doughnuts and other fall treats, plus hayrides.
What you should know: Demarest has an online reservation system in which visitors choose their time for picking. Pick-your-own tickets are not available at the farm. Outside strollers, backpacks and pocketbooks are not allowed in the orchard. General admission is $7 for ages 2 and older and includes parking, entrance to the orchard, petting zoo and playground. A bag to hold the apples you pick (10 to 12 pounds of apples) costs $15.
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Go: 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale; 201-666-0472, demarestfarms.com.
Donaldson Farms, Hackettstown
Why you should go: Fresh-baked pies, dairy products, New Jersey and Vermont maple syrups, jellies, jams, grass-fed meats and more are available at the Donaldson farmers market.
What you should know: There is no admission fee to enter the orchard; you pay by the pound based on what you pick. Check in at the farm before heading into the orchard.
Go: 358 Allen Road, Hackettstown; 908-852-9122, donaldsonfarms.net.
Eastmont Orchards, Colts Neck
Why you should go: Eastmont Orchards doesn't have the extra amenities of some farms, but it does have plenty of space for apple picking. It's a great place to go if hayrides and petting zoos aren't your thing.
What you should know: Reservations are not required. Apples are charged by the pound; visitors currently are picking Gala and Ginger Gold varieties at $2.29 per pound. On weekends, a $2 entrance fee is charged; there is no charge during the week. No backpacks, diaper bags or large bags are permitted.
Go: 181 Route 537 East, Colts Neck; 732-542-5404, eastmontorchards.com.
Giamarese Farm & Orchards, East Brunswick
Why you should go: There are more than a dozen varieties of apples to choose from in Giamarese's orchards, which have been family-owned since 1941.
What you should know: Before picking, stop at the farm store for bags to hold your fruit. In addition to picking apples, fall harvest weekends include hay rides, pony rides and a corn maze.
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Go: 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick; 732-821-9494, giamaresefarm.com.
Melick’s Town Farm, Califon
Why you should go: Melick's Town Farm is the largest fruit-grower in New Jersey. It has more than 20,000 apple trees and also offers fresh apple cider, hard cider and apple wine.
What you should know: Pick-your-own is available at two Melick's locations: Califon Orchards in Califon and Cider Mill & Orchard in Oldwick, where guests can watch a cider press in action. Admission, which includes a wagon ride, costs $3.99 on weekdays and $5.99 on weekends and holidays. Most apples are $1.99 per pound for pick-your-own.
Go: 472 Route 513 in Califon, 908-832-2905, and 19 King St. in Oldwick; 908-439-2318, melickstownfarm.com.
Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill
Why you should go: Mood’s has a barn with its name painted in stark black letters on a paint-chipped white structure. Beyond are fields of fruits and vegetables that guests roam through to take their pick of the produce.
What you should know: Apple-picking hayrides will run during September. Apples are priced at $1.60 per pound.
Go: 901 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill; 856-478-2500, moodsfarmmarket.com.
Phillips Farms, Milford
Why you should go: This family-owned pick-your-own farm also runs a nearby year-round farm market with fresh produce, eggs and freshly made baked goods. Apples can be picked at the main farm, and grapes, vegetables and flowers can be picked at the fields near the farm market.
What you should know: Pick-your-own at the main farm is offered weekends only. The farm market is open daily. Call the message line at 908-995-0022 for up-to-date announcements about the farm. Only Phillips Farms buckets are allowed; buckets cost $2. There is no admission fee, but there is a $5 picking minimum per person and apples cost $2.40 per pound.
Go: 91 Crabapple Hill Road, Milford; 908-995-0022, phillipsfarms.com. The farm market is at 564 Milford-Warren Glen Road in Milford.
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Why you should go: Visitors will find more than a dozen varieties of apples on this 27-acre orchard, and all are dwarf varieties, making them the perfect height for picking.
What you should know: Pick-your-own apples - Crimson Crisp, Gala, McIntosh, Honeycrisp and more - are sold by the bag, and all visitors 4 and older must purchase one. There are three sizes available. For more fall fun, attend the weekend fall festivals, which feature pony rides, live music, games, pumpkin picking, country food and a corn stalk maze (admission starts at $12. There is no admission charge for apple picking).
Go: Apple picking takes place at 13 Van Kirk Road in Princeton. The fall festival is at Terhune's farm, 330 Cold Soil Road in Princeton; 609-924-2310, terhuneorchards.com.
Wightman Farms, Morristown
Why you should go: Wightman Farms is a Jersey staple that has been in operation since 1922. It has been cultivating its sprawling fields for years and now features a marketplace along with its u-pick orchards.
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What you should know: Pick-your-own is available Saturday and Sundays. Prior to Aug. 31, the cost to pick is $10, which is part of a membership program that includes picking as often as you like during the season. After Aug. 31, the cost is $10 per visit. The fruit you pick is not included in the price of entry and is weighed before payment.
Go: 1111 Mount Kemble Ave., Morristown; 973-425-9819, wightmanfarms.com.
Other u-pick apple farms in New Jersey
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Johnson's Corner Farm: 133 Church Road, Medford; 609-654-8643, johnsonsfarm.com.
Johnson's Locust Hall Farm: 2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown section of Springfield; 609-353-9000, johnsonslocusthallfarm.com.
Strawberry Hill Farm: 3 Waln Road, Chesterfield; 609-298-0823, strawberryhillfarm.org.
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Duffield's Farm Market: 280 Chapel Heights Road, Sewell; 856-589-7090, duffieldsfarm.com.
Hill Creek Farms: 1631 Route 45, Mullica Hill; 856-223-0028, hillcreekfarms.com.
HUNTERDON COUNTY
Bonacorsi Family Farm: 1137 Croton Road, Flemington; facebook.com/bonacorsifamilyfarm.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Von Thun's: 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick; 732-329-8656 or vonthunfarms.com.
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Stone Tavern Orchards: 73 Rues Road, Cream Ridge; stonetavernorchards.com.
MORRIS COUNTY
Hillview Farms: 223 Meyersville Road, Gillette; 908-647-0957, hillview-farms.com.
Riamede Farm: 122 Oakdale Road, Chester; 908-879-5353, riamede.com.
Stony Hill Farms: 15 North Road, Chester; 908-879-2696, stonyhillfarms.com.
Sun High Orchards: 19 Canfield Ave., Randolph; 973-584-4734, facebook.com/sunhighorchardnj.
OCEAN COUNTY
Krowicki's: 862 Route 539, New Egypt section of Plumsted; 609-752-5591, facebook.com/KrowickisFarmMarket.
SOMERSET COUNTY
Ripple Hill Farm: 181 Mountain Road, Basking Ridge; 908-647-1300, ripplehillfarm.com.
WARREN COUNTY
Longmeadow Farm: 561 Hope-Blairstown Road, Blairstown; 908-459-5351, longmeadowfarmnj.com.
Mackey's Orchards: 284 Route 519, Belvidere; 908-475-1507, mackeysorchard.com.
Race Farm: 87 Belcher Road, Blairstown; 908-362-8151, racefarmllc.com.
Stoneyfield Orchard: 5 Orchard St., Belvidere; 908-475-5209, stoneyfieldorchard.com.
Tree-Licious Orchards: 135 Karrville Road, Port Murray; 908-852-7191, treeliciousorchards.com.
This story contains information from a previous article.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com, and for more Jersey Shore food news, subscribe to our weekly Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Apple picking 2022: Where to go in NJ at pick your own orchards
