Montgomery County Area Apple Picking Guide 2021

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Autumn has officially arrived in Pennsylvania, and prime time is approaching for one of fall's most beloved activities: apple picking.

There are no shortage of farms in southeastern Pennsylvania and the greater Montgomery County area to grab some Galas, Granny Smiths and Golden Supremes.

Below is a list of where to go in the local area for both U-pick orchards, and for farms offering fresh produce from their own trees and nearby farms.

Remember to call ahead or check the farm's website to clarify hours of operation, or to check for the availability of specific types of apples and other produce.

Here's a glance at where to go apple picking near Montgomery County:

Solebury Orchards

• Season dates: Aug. 20 through Nov. 7
• Hours of operation: Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Registration: Reservations required on October weekend, but not weekdays. Reservations can only be made online here.
• Cost: $2.50 per person, children 4 and under are no charge. Picked apples are $1.50 per pound.
• Phone: 215-297-8079

More via the Solebury website

Frecon Farms

• Season dates: Sept. 4 through Halloween
• Hours of operation: 9 .m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
• Cost: Small picking bags: weekday $7, weekend $9; Medium picking bags: weekday $13, weekend $15; Large picking bags: weekday $40, weekend $45
• Phone: (833) 539-3235

More via the Frecon Farms website

Merrymead Farms

• Season dates: N/A; The farm has its own apple cider, an apple shed with a variety of fresh apples for the choosing, as well as a market.
• Hours of operation: Fall Harvest days are every weekend, with activities, including apple slinging, on Saturdays from 11 a.m .to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Varies
• Phone: (610) 584-4410

More via the Merrymead Farms website for Fall Harvest days

Willow Creek Farm Preserve

• Season dates: No apples, but daily in October by appointment for Asian pears and raspberries
• Hours of operation: Varies
• Cost: $10 half peck bag of pears; $4 half pint raspberries
• Phone: (610) 584-4410

More via the Willow Creek Farms website

Other great locations a bit further out:

• Linvilla Orchards, Media
• Shady Brook Farm, Yardley
• Snipes Farm, Morrisville

What kind of apple should you get? It might depend on what's available at the orchard you visit, but here's a little information on different apple varieties, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

• Fuji are the best apples if you've got limited refrigerator space because you can store Fujis in your basement or your garage. They are slow to ripen so are best picked mid to late October.
• On the other end of the apple spectrum are the Gala apples. Great for pies, sauces, eating and baking, they will only last a few weeks and need to be refrigerated. Because they ripen so early, they are at their prime from mid August to early September.
• If you're looking for good September apple picking, your best bets are: Macintosh, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Jonalicious, Cortland and Red Delicious.
• Want to make a superb apple pie? Go for the hard York apples because they'll keep their shape in pies.