Where to Pick Your Own Apples Near Fredericksburg

The first day of autumn is coming up fast (Sept. 22). Along with cooler temperatures, thoughts turn to football, hearty soups, "where did we store the rake?” and the annual family pilgrimage to the local apple orchard.

If a day at the orchard is not already a family tradition in your home, this year may be the perfect time to make it one. A day of apple picking, cider sipping and idyllic picture posing is a great way to welcome in the new season. 

As you choose from the many varieties of apples consider not only taste, but also hardiness and remember that different varieties come into season at different times. 

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.  

Patch recommends you call the orchard before heading out on your picking pilgrimage to be sure the apples you’re hoping to enjoy are ready for the picking. 

Westmoreland Berry Farm and Orchard, Oak Grove, VA 

1235 Berry Farm Lane
Oak Grove, VA 22443

Phone: (804) 224-9171

Westmoreland Berry Farm and Orchard is open from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sundays. The farm has pumpkins and fall apples starting in September. 

Graves Mountain Farm

Route 670
Syria, VA 22743

Phone: (540) 923-4231 

The farm is open throughout the week from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pick-your-own opens this weekend for various apple varieties.

Carter Mountain Orchard
1435 Carters Mountain Trail
Charlottesville, VA 22901

Phone:  (434) 977-1833

The orchard is open daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. until Thanksgiving. Apple varieties available: Ginger Gold, Gala, McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Red Delicious, Jonagold, Fuji, Winesap, York, Rome, Granny Smith, Stayman, Crispin (Mutsu) and Pink Lady.