Apple Picking At Nearby, Family-Owned Orchards

Fall is a gorgeous time of year and one that shouldn’t be spent indoors. Grab a light jacket and head outdoors to one of Mokena’s neighboring apple orchards.

Apple picking is a tradition that my family has carried on since I was a baby. I have photos of my cousins and I all lined up inside empty bushel baskets. As the years have passed, getting the whole family together has become impossible. Still, my mom and I count down the days to apple picking every year.

In Mokena, you don’t have a far drive. Whether you want a simple and highly affordable experience of picking apples off of grafted apple trees, or you want the whole shebang of apples, cider, children’s activities and fall crafts, you’ve got a nearby option.

Simple Pickin’ at Apples on Oak  

For a simple, casual afternoon of picking apples right off the trees on a willing neighbor’s property, with the certainty that they are as fresh and ripe as they come, you can head to Apples on Oak. This is a small, family-owned orchard owned and operated by a husband and wife team, Larry and Mary Peceniak.

The Apples on Oak season is nearly over because of high demand this year, so this weekend may be your last chance to score apples here. They expect to have Liberty and GoldRush apples, along with lots of Asian pears.

According to their website, Larry began grafting apple trees on his property some years back, and that simple hobby turned into an orchard open to the public for more than 10 years now. Their property has over 700 apple trees, with almost 100 varieties of apples.

Located at 16146 W. Oak Ave. in Joliet, Apples on Oak offers free parking and free admission, which isn’t easy to find these days. You simple pick what you want and pay per pound when you are finished.

For more information on what’s currently available, call 815-726-0386.

Whole Shebang at Garden Patch Farms & Orchard

If you want more of the one-stop, all-day apple picking experience, head to Garden Patch Farms & Orchard in Homer Glen. This farm not only has apples, but also a slew of other fruits and vegetables available to pick, pumpkins, mums, Indian corn, gourds, corn stalks, straw, fresh apple cider, a Halloween-themed bouncer for the kids, animals to feed and a barn full of fall-time goodies and crafts.

The family-owned farm, located at 14154 W. 159th Street in Homer Glen, began way back in 1936 by Earl Hiller’s parents, according to the website. Earl took over the farm in 1985 and began planting apple trees. The farm now has over 4,000 apple trees and dozens of apple varieties. Earl’s wife and children help run the farm.

Apple varieties available mid-September at Garden Patch include Honeycrisp (a nationwide favorite), Jonomac, Ozark Gold, Sweet 16, two McIntosh types and many more. If there is a particular type you’re looking for, your best bet is to call 708-301-7720 ahead of time. Otherwise, just head out on your first available day. The U-Pick schedule for apples goes through Oct. 31.

You pay per pound for the apples, and there is a $5 admission fee to the U-Pick area.

These two locations offer a nearby option for Mokena residents. If you’d like to venture out further and find other apple picking locations in Illinois, visit http://www.pickyourown.org/ILchicago.htm.