The first field trip I ever went on in elementary school was to an apple orchard. I already loved my first-grade teacher, and now she was going to take us to pick our own apples! It was a cool autumn morning. I remember my feet being wet from the dew still on the grass, but I did not care. I had so much fun that day picking the low-hanging fruit and moving the small ladders around to reach prime ones up higher in the trees.
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:
- Kids still like it – and it’s outdoors.
- It’s a good way to see where some of our food comes from.
- Warm apple cider doughnuts.
- The apples do taste better right off the tree.
- 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!
- 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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