Welcome In The Fall At Dr. Davies Farm

The temperature might drop, schools will start and the football season will kick off, but the real barometer on whether or not it's autumn hangs from the trees.

No, it's not the leaves changing color either. It's apple picking.

And in the area, fall starts on Labor Day, Sept. 6, when Dr. Davies Farm in Congers opens up for another season of apple picking.

Dr. Davies Farm, located at 306 Route 304 in Congers, has been in the Davies family since 1891 when Arthur B. Davies and Dr. Lucy Meriwether married and bought the home farm together. Shortly after, Meriwether, then known as Dr. Lucy Virginia Davies, became an acclaimed farmer while also having a medical practice.

Jan and Niles Davies Jr. currently run the farm, as well as the two fruit stands. One is at the Route 304 location, and the other off Route 9W, also in Congers. Apple picking, however, is just at the Route 304 location. But it doesn't have only apple picking.

There are also hayrides, which have been going on for about 15 years, Niles Davies Jr. said.

"You go out in a wagon, see some of the farm, see a lot of apples growing and a person can pick a pumpkin at the end of it," he said. "We have three tractors and they go all the time, and fit about 30 people on them."

From the end of September until Columbus Day, Davies said a new ride leaves every 20 minutes or so. Rides are $5 per person, and it's $3 to pick a pumpkin.

Dr. Davies Farm also has apple cider for sale, as well as some types of apples that aren't available to be picked. The two stands are fruit and vegetable stands, with an array of both for sale. Both stands are currently open, and open at 9 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. They accept only cash, as does the rest of Dr. Davies Farm.

But, of course, the biggest reason for going to the farm is apple picking.

Dr. Davies farm is open seven days a week, and apple picking is from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day. A bag that holds up to roughly 25 pounds of apples costs around $30, Davies said, adding that groups of no more than 6 are allowed to pick apples for the same bag.

There are also picking poles available for $3, although you get a dollar back when you return it after using.

"It's a pole that has a basket on the end with an inverted crown," Davies said.

He also said you don't need a reservation to go, but reservations are needed for class trips. Only second grade classes and younger are allowed to take class trips to Dr. Davies Farm, Davies said.

"When you get school groups that are older, the kids throw apples and climb trees," he said, adding that more families come on the weekends and the farm doesn't allow field trips on weekends.

Boy and girl scout groups also make apple picking trips to the farm, he said. There isn't any picking when it rains. But as for attire, that's up to the picker.

"It's probably best to wear flat sole shoes and work clothes," Davies said. "But dress the way you want. You can wear a tuxedo if you want."