Now, just the thought of walking around for an hour with cold, wet feet makes me cringe. And grabbing a bag of apples from Aldi or Kroger is simpler than moving ladders around, attempting to climb a tree. But there are still good reasons to make the effort to go pick some apples yourself:

1. Kids still like it – and it’s outdoors.
2. It’s a good way to see where some of our food comes from.
3. Warm apple cider doughnuts.
4. The apples do taste better right off the tree.
5. You can get some great autumnal photos – might even get your teens to go along without too much complaining if they know they can post on Instagram!
6. If you are prepared, it can still be fun for you too!

So how do you prepare for apple picking so that you and your family have a good time and make great memories for years to come?

1. Dress Appropriately

It is outdoors, so dress for the weather – and check the weather forecast. Avoid that wet-feet feeling by wearing some sort of boots (or you can wait until later in the day). Shoes good for traipsing around in an uneven field are essential. Wear sunglasses or a hat since you will be looking up into trees. And layer. Maybe a flannel or corduroy shirt over a t-shirt that you can take off and tie around your waist if the sun makes an appearance. And think about this for your kids too. You most likely won’t want to carry around a bunch of coats the rest of the day if they started out overdressed.

2. Pick Your Apples (Ahead of Time)

Call ahead to see what apples are being picked and to check for any change in hours. Know what kind of apples you want to buy. Many orchards offer samples before you pick. Some apples, like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji are great for eating and baking, and others, such as Granny Smiths, make delicious pies and applesauce. Picking a variety can give everyone a chance to try out something new and find out what your family’s preference actually is.

3. Bring Containers

Bring bags for picking and maybe bring some sort of cushioning and containers to place between layers to avoid damaging your hard work! Some orchards do not take credit cards, so if that is an issue, check ahead. Also, some orchards might provide baskets and cushioning for you, it never hurts to ask!

4. Teach The Little Ones

If you have kids or grandkids with you, before you start picking your apples help them understand how to pick apples so they do not damage the tree or other apples – the ripe ones will come off with a gentle tug or twist. Weekends are busier, so plan to share the orchard with others.

5. Eat Doughnuts (They’re Apple So They’re Healthy, Right?)

If your orchard has fresh apple cider doughnuts, I recommend trying those. I do not even like apple cider, but the doughnuts at my local orchard are some of the best baked goods I have ever tasted!

Local Orchards With U-Pick Apples Near Dayton:

Are you craving apples yet? Here’s a list of orchards in the area that let you pick your own apples!

Stevens Family Orchard, Springfield (937) 788-2573

Tuken’s Orchard, West Alexandria (937) 687-3848

Iron’s Fruit Farm, Lebanon (513) 932-2853

Peifer Orchards, Yellow Springs (937) 767-2208

Monnin’s Fruit Farm, Dayton (937) 890-4536

A&M Orchard, Midland (513) 875-2500

Wesler Orchards, New Paris (937) 437-8921

Karnes Orchard, Hillsboro (937) 763-8250

Nana’s Orchard, Urbana (646) 872-4482

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The post Why You’ll Love Picking Your Own Apples (And How To Do It!) appeared first on Hope 100.7.