Who doesn’t like a sharp, crisp apple plucked right from the tree? Or a chubby orange pumpkin that you and your kids picked off the vine?
September and October are ideal for orchard trips, and pumpkin picking begins in late September and stretches until Halloween. Here are a few apple orchards where you can quench your appetite for Johnny Appleseed’s favorite fruit, a potential jack-o’-lantern, or both — as well as wander through well-stocked farm markets.
1. Lynd Fruit Farm
The farm offers a wide variety of tart to sweet U-pick apples from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through October, or as long as supplies last. Lynd provides bags and encourages pickers of all ages to stuff them full. Lynd also has a pumpkin patch that opens in late September.
Morse Road SW, Pataskala
2. Legend Hills Orchard
The orchard has 20 acres of apples — and 20 varieties! — for picking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, excluding holiday hours. Make sure to grab a jug of freshly pressed apple cider, too!
11335 Reynolds Road, Utica
3. The Orchard & Co.
The orchard has U-pick apples on Saturdays and Sundays through October 27th – be sure to check their website for times and apple varieties. Once you’ve had your apple fill, send the kids off to the orchard’s zip line, gem mine and pedal car track. They are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
7255 U.S. Highway 42, Plain City
4. Hidden Creek Farms
The farms’ annual fall festival runs from September 21st to October 27th, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The $9 admission (free for children under 2) includes a hayride to the pumpkin patch, a pumpkin slide, a straw maze, visits with live farm animals, and more. Pumpkins are an additional charge.
581 S. Galena Road, Sunbury
5. Cherry Hawk Farm
The farm offers good old-fashioned apple picking and is an easy drive through the country from Columbus and surrounding cities. Their U-pick hours run from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays until early to mid-November. Be sure to check their website for apple types and ripening schedules.
16220 Springdale Rd, Marysville
6. Ochs Fruit Farm
This orchard grows over 100 different varieties of apples! They also offer a weekly pick list of apples, peaches, and vegetables. Get your fresh fruit and visit their market Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2161 Pleasantville Rd, Lancaster
7. Apple Hill Orchards
This family-owned and operated orchard is known for its apple cider off the tap, but it doesn’t stop there! Open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can pick apples and pumpkins until October 31st.
1175 Lexington Ontario Rd, Mansfield:
Monday-Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday 10am-6pm
16780 Upper Fredericktown Amity Rd, Fredericktown:
Tuesday-Saturday: 9am – 5pm Sunday 12pm-5pm
8. Springhill Fruit Farm
This orchard has over 5,000 trees, plenty of pumpkins, and over 30 varieties of pre-picked produce to choose from! Visit from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
5646 Ganges-Five Points Rd, Shiloh
9. Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm
This farm has plenty of kid-friendly activities to help kids release some energy. Hayrides, pumpkin bowling, barrel rides, giant inflatable jump pillows, slingshots, sack races, and much more are available to ensure everyone has a blast. There are also corn mazes, big and small, so people of all ages can enjoy a fun challenge.
Lehner’s is open September 21 through October 27, Tuesday through Thursday 4:30 p.m. -7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
2920 OH-203, Radnor, OH 43066
