What you might not think of are the wonderful orchards that offer you the chance to pick your own apples. A well-kept secret in the city is the range of U-Pick orchards that you can visit while you are there.
Although Pittsburgh isn’t overflowing with U-Pick orchards, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some gems hidden around. Below are the best apple picking farms and orchards near Pittsburgh, Pa.
Located in Monongahela is Triple B Farms orchard. Every year, you can visit this orchard during picking season to pick your own apples.
In previous years, the orchard has been open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday during the picking season from 10 am to 3 pm. This is likely to be the opening time during future seasons too.
There are numerous varieties that are available at Triple B Farms each season. The varieties that will be available during your visit will depend on the stage of the picking season that you visit and what the weather has been like.
Some of the varieties that are available include Honeycrisp, Gala, Cameo, Fuji, Jonagold, and more.
Over near Wexford, you will find Soergel Orchards. Visitors are invited to partake in apple picking during the fall festivals that the orchard hosts.
This most commonly takes place on Saturdays and Sundays, beginning in mid-September. Because of the fall festivals, apple picking is turned into a big event at Soergel Orchards.
When you are apple picking at the orchards, you will be able to choose from as many as a dozen varieties of apples depending on when you visit and ripening.
When you are done apple picking, you will be able to indulge in fall activities and snacks such as hayrides, pumpkin picking, painting, games, and even kettle corn.
If you want to visit an orchard that has a significant amount of history, Norman’s Orchards was founded in 1958. This orchard has been a favorite of Pittsburgh locals and visitors for over 50 years.
The wonderful thing about this orchard is that it grows much more than just apples. You will also be able to look at the stunning fields of grapes, pears, berries, and cherries.
There are plenty of varieties of apples that you can pick during your visit including McIntosh, Red Delicious, and Northern Spy.
The U-Pick orchard is open from 10 am to 6 pm Wednesday through Friday and from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. This provides plenty of opportunity to pick some apples.
If you visit at the start of the picking season, you will also be able to pick some pears at the orchard.
If you want a sprawling orchard and activities besides apple picking, Shenot Farm orchard could be the perfect place to pay a visit.
The orchard is set on more than 100 acres of beautiful farmland. During the picking season, the farm opens its doors to visitors between 9:30 am and early afternoon so that you can pick your own apples.
There are multiple varieties to choose from in the orchard including Gala, Jonathan, and Honeycrisp.
Once you have gotten your fill of apple picking, you can spend the rest of your time in the full retail market at the farm. Here you can purchase plenty of local products that help to support the local community.
You can also indulge in some of the farm’s own apple cider while you are visiting.
Located in McMurray in Pennsylvania is Simmons Farm. During the picking season, the farm opens its gates to visitors on a daily basis.
Monday through Thursday, the farm is open from 10 am to 5 pm. Friday through Sunday, it is open from 9 am to 4 pm. This gives you plenty of opportunities to get your fill of apple picking.
Depending on the specific point in the season that you visit, you can choose from up to a dozen varieties of apples. Some of the most popular apples include Gala, Ida Red, Yellow Delicious, and more.
One of the most amazing things about this orchard is that you can purchase freshly baked pies from the farmstand. All of the pies are made with fresh produce from the orchards to give you an instant taste of the sweet fruits.
Another beautiful orchard that is located near Pittsburgh is Half Crown Hill Orchard. This is a simple and naturally stunning orchard that opens for visitors to pick their own apples during the picking season.
You can choose from Honeycrisp, Gala, Ginger Gold, and Pioneer Mac apples at the orchard.
One of the most impressive things about this orchard is the amazing apple slingshot activity that they have. You can also indulge in giant bubbles and purchase jams, jellies, and honey produced by the orchard’s own bees.
Tips For Apple Picking In Pittsburgh
There are only a few orchards in Pittsburgh that offer apple picking to visitors. Therefore, you will want to make the most of your visit. Below are some of our top tips for apple picking in Pittsburgh.
Try To Avoid Sampling As You Go
This is a tip that you should follow at any U-Pick orchard or farm. It can be incredibly tempting to sample the fruits on offer as you are wandering around the orchard. However, this can significantly impact the orchard over time.
While simply trying one apple or one berry while you are walking around might not seem like a big deal, if everyone does it, it soon builds up.
Farms that offer U-Pick to visitors do so to make money as well as offer their produce to people. They need the fruit that they grew to be paid for in order to continue growing it and offering U-Pick.
Check Whether You Can Bring Pets
A lot of people end up stopping at farms and orchards that offer fruit picking during a road trip or a vacation. This often means that you will have your four-legged friends with you.
Despite the fact that orchards are open, outdoor spaces, many of them don’t allow people to bring their dogs with them.
In most cases, dogs are banned due to health and safety reasons surrounding potential behavior or hygiene issues. With that being said, there are some orchards that do allow leashed dogs in their orchards.
The best thing is to check with the orchard ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Check Opening Times And Picking Seasons
One of the most important things to think about when looking to go apple picking at an orchard is when they open and when their picking season is.
Once the picking season has started, the opening times are likely to be pretty regular and stable. The only thing that will affect opening times is adverse weather conditions.
Picking seasons are a little bit more volatile and complicated. A rough estimate can be given as to the start and end of the picking season but it is highly dependent on the weather throughout the year and the strength of the crop.
The best way to find out accurate information on picking seasons is to regularly check the social media pages of the orchards you want to visit.
Dress For The Weather
Apple picking is an outdoor activity, therefore, you are going to be exposed to the weather. Because of this, it is important to make sure that you and your family dress appropriately for the weather.
For most of the picking season, the weather is likely to be calm and sunny. Protecting yourself from the sun is important.
If you are visiting toward the end of the season, the weather will be colder and might be more unpredictable. Therefore, checking the weather forecast before you leave for the day can help you prepare for wind, rain, and colder weather.
Final Thoughts
There are only a few apple picking orchards sprinkled around Pittsburgh, however, many of them are gems that have a lot more to offer than just the humble apple. The orchards in this article are definitely worth a visit during your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is The Best Time To Go Apple Picking In Pittsburgh?
As a general rule, the apple picking season can run from as early as May through to November.
However, in order to make the most of apple picking, and to get the widest choice of varieties, you should aim to visit an orchard in the middle of the season.
How Do You Pay For Apple Picking In Pittsburgh?
The answer to this question depends on the orchard that you visit. Traditionally, U-Pick orchards have operated using cash only.
However, as technology becomes more accessible and affordable, more and more orchards are switching to accepting card payments as well as cash.
It is a good idea to check before you begin picking to ensure that you are able to pay at the end.
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