Allegheny County, Southwestern PA Apple Picking Guide 2021

SOUTHWESTERN PA — Autumn has officially arrived in Pennsylvania and so has the time for one of fall's most beloved activities: apple picking.

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

Below is a list of where to go in the local area to find 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 Allegheny County:

Soergel's, Wexford.

Apple picking from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through October. Call first to see if your favorite type of apple is available.

Simmons Farm, McMurray.

Apple picking from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. Half-peck minimum per adult to enter the orchard. Must check in a half-hour prior to orchard closing time. Call 724-941-1490 for
availability.

Norman's Orchard, Tarentum.

Apple picking Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Triple B Farms, Monongahela.

Apple picking resumes Oct. 9. Hours are Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Half Crown Hill Orchard, McDonald.

Unfortunately Half Crown Hill is closed for the 2021 apple picking season. During freezing temperatures during bloom this spring, the crop was severely damaged and they did not have enough apples to open for the season.

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.

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