Our apple picking season opens in late August and remains open until early November. Please see the harvest calendar below for start dates for each variety of apple. Weather can impact when the apples will be ready so check back before coming to visit.
See you in the fall!
Apple Picking
We make it easy, so you can have the maximum amount of fun. Here’s how it works:
Bags: Complimentary plastic and reusable cloth bags will be provided upon arrival. All bags are heavy-duty and will hold approximately 8 kg (20 lbs) of your choice of apples.
Entrance Fee: There is no entrance fee to enter the orchard, however, we do ask that a minimum of $5.00 of apples be picked per person. If the minimum per person is not picked the difference will be charged at checkout.
Pick-Your-Own Price: Fill your bag to the top and it’s yours for $26. If you don’t quite make it to full then it’s $1.45/lb.
Ready Pick Apples: Are available from mid-September until closing.
Harvest Calendar:
| VARIETY | START DATE | APPROX END | DESCRIPTION | BEST USE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger Gold | August 26 | September 17 | Sweet & mildly tart | Eating |
| McIntosh | September 8 | September 24 | Tender, juicy, aromatic, tart-sweet | Eating, Baking (if using in pies, add more thickener) |
| Cortland | September 15 | October 1 | Tart with hint of sweet and tangy | Eating (cut fruit is slow to brown) |
| Gala | September 15 | October 1 | Crisp, firm, juicy, mild and sweet | Eating |
| Honeycrisp | September 22 | October 15 | Crisp, juicy, mild, honeyed flavor | Eating, Baking |
| Empire | September 22 | October 15 | Sweet-tart, juicy cross between Red Delicious and McIntosh | Eating, Baking |
| Ambrosia | September 29 | October 22 | Juicy, Honeyed Flavour | Eating, Baking |
| Golden Delicious | September 29 | October 22 | Crisp, mild, sweet | Eating, Baking (when making pies, reduce the total sugar) |
| Jonagold | September 29 | October 22 | Crisp, juicy, sweet | Baking |
| Mutsu | September 29 | October 22 | Sweet-tart, distinct flavor | Eating, Baking |
| Northern Spy | October 6 | October 30 | Sweet, mildly tart | Eating, Baking |
| Red Delicious | October 6 | October 30 | Sweet, juicy | Eating |
| Red Fuji | October 13 | November 6 | Mild sweet, juicy, firm | Eating, Baking |
*Please note when varieties become ready we are typically picking them for approximately 3 weeks
We have 13 different kinds of apples:
Ginger Gold
Aug 26-Sept 17 (approx)
Sweet & mildly tart
Great for eating
McIntosh
Sept 8-Sept 24 (approx)
Tender, juicy, aromatic, tart-sweet
Great for Eating, baking
(if using in pies, add more thickener)
Cortland
Sept 15-Oct 1 (approx)
Tart with hint of sweet and tangy
Great for Eating
(cut fruit is slow to brown)
Gala
Sept 15-Oct 1 (approx)
Crisp, firm, juicy, mild and sweet
Great for Eating
Honey Crisp
Sept 22-Oct 15 (approx)
Crisp, juicy, mild, honeyed flavor
Great for Eating, Baking
Empire
Sept 22-Oct 15 (approx)
Sweet-tart, juicy cross between Red Delicious and McIntosh
Great for Eating, Baking
Ambrosia
Sept 29-Oct 22 (approx)
Juicy, Honeyed Flavour
Great for Eating, Baking
Golden Delicious
Sept 29-Oct 22 (approx)
Crisp, mild, sweet
Great for Eating, Baking
(When making pies, reduce the total sugar)
Jonagold
Sept 29-Oct 22 (approx)
Crisp, juicy, sweet
Great for Baking
Mutsu
Sept 29-Oct 22 (approx)
Sweet-tart, distinct flavor
Great for Eating, Baking
Northern Spy
Oct 6-Oct 30 (approx)
Sweet, mildly tart
Great for Eating, Baking
Red Delicious
Oct 6-Oct 30 (approx)
Sweet, juicy
Great for Eating
Red Fuji
Oct 13-Nov 6 (approx)
Mild sweet, juicy, firm
Great for Eating, Baking
More Information
Location: Our apple orchard is located just behind the parking area at Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm
Wagon Rides: Are available each weekend out to the orchard
Apple Cider: Freshly pressed, our cider is available mid-September until closing early November
Candy Apples: Are available on weekends late-September until the end of October
Buses: If you are planning a bus trip to pick at the orchard, please contact us before you come so that we are ready for you!
School Tours: We offer hands-on, educational tours of the orchard. Please visit the School Tours pages on Downey’s Farm Market