2024 Eastern Connecticut Apple U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Apple U-Pick Orchards in Eastern Connecticut in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for apples that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have apples orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

New London County

• Holmberg Orchards - apples, pears, pumpkins, peaches, raspberries, blueberries, Farm market, winery
  12 Orchard Drive, Route 12, Gales Ferry, CT 06335. Phone: (860) 464-7107. Email: holmorch@aol.com. Open: daily. Click here for a map and directions.
  Holmberg Orchards Facebook page. holmorch@aol. We begin our picking season with blueberries in early July, Call for seasonal hours, Farm Market open daily 9 am to 6 pm year-round, featuring our native fruits, vegetables, cider, pies, flowers, plants & seasonal items. and Winery Facebook page. PYO apples, peaches, pears, blueberries, raspberries, pumpkins, cut flowers. Bakery & farm winery on site. We also offer peaches, raspberries, and grape tomatoes beginning around the 1st of August. Summer apples and pears are just around the corner, opening in mid-August. By late August, we've added sun-kissed nectarines as well. Don't forget the pumpkins in late September, and our multitude of fall's bounties, including squash, gourds, Indian corn, hay bales, cornstalks and mums.' offers our customers a gourmet, specialty food shop that retains its agricultural roots and charm locally in Gales Ferry, CT. We are stocked fresh daily with the best fruits and vegetables that modern agriculture has to offer and our bakers toil early each morning at our in-house bakery to provide the freshest baked goods.
• Scott's Yankee Farmer - Apples, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Peaches, Nectarines, Blackberries, Pumpkins, corn maze, farm market, porta-potties are available, restrooms, school tours
  436 Boston Post Road Route 1, East Lyme, CT 06333. Phone: 860-739-5209. Email: info@scottsyankeefarmer.net. Open: late August to November 2. Directions: From Interstate 95 going North, take exit 71, Four Mile River Road. At the end of ramp, go right. Follow Four Mile River Road to the end. Take a right onto Boston Post Road. We are located 1 12 miles on the right. From Interstate 95 going South, take exit 75, Route 1. Continue straight off the exit to the first traffic light. Continue straight through the traffic light and go 2 12 miles. We are located on the left. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Scott's Yankee Farmer Facebook page. . Store Hours: Everyday 9 am to 6 pm, Pick Your Own Hours: Weekends+Holidays: 10 am to 5 pm Weekdays: 11 am to 5 pm, Our pick your own will be closed until labor day weekend, reservations will be requiredFrom Interstate 95 going North, take exit 71, Four Mile River Road. At the end of ramp, go right. Follow Four Mile River Road to the end. Take a right onto Boston Post Road. We are located 1 1/2 miles on the right. From Interstate 95 going South, take exit 75, Route 1. Continue straight off the exit to the first traffic light. Continue straight through the traffic light and go 2 1/2 miles. We are located on the leftNo pets allowed in Pick Your Own area Farm grown fruits and vegetables, jams, honey, apple cider, Indian corn, gourds, mums Corn Maze open Strawberries 6/10-7/4, Raspberries 7/4-7/25, Blueberries 7/10-8/20, Peaches & Nectarines 8/5-9/10, Blackberries Mid August-Mid September, Apples Labor Day Weekend - 10/25, Pumpkins 9/20-10/28. We also have both kinds of pumpkin patches corn maze wagon rides. Donuts on weekends from June-November. Farm stand open April- December 31 9-5:30 with pumpkins, jams, local honey, indian corn, gourds, mums and apple cider.
• West Green Farm Orchard and Dairy - apples, dairy
  119 West Town Street, Lebanon, CT 06249. Phone: 860-642-6745. Email: StevePreli@Westgreenfarm.com. Open: Pick-your-own apples during the summer and fall for select fruit crops. Directions: Located along the mile long Historic Lebanon Green. Their farm store is in a refurbished 18th century barn. Typically closed during the winter months, re-. Click here for a map and directions.
  West Green Farm Orchard and Dairy Facebook page. Call ahead or visit their website or Facebook page for picking informationopen in June. CSA with fruit and vegetables grown here on the farm. Full & half shares available. Contact us today to reserve your share. Raw Milk Herd Shares: A weekly supply of Fresh Raw Jersey Milk. A powerful nutrient dense food full of living health. My family grew up on it, drinking raw milk for health reasons and we continue to drink it today. If you have health/gut issues or eczema raw milk may help you too. It did for us.
• Whittles Willow Spring Farm - apples, pumpkins.
  1030 Noank Ledyard Road, Mystic, CT 06355. Phone: (860) 536-3083. Open: July to October. Click here for a map and directions. From exit 89 off I-95, go right on Sandy Hollow Road, 1 mile, bear right on Noank Ledyard Road, farm 1/2 mi. on right. Whittle's has pick-your-own pumpkins in the fields and pick-your-own apples, and a farm market with sweet corn and other produce. (UPDATED: May 31, 2014, from the CT website)

Windham County

• 18th Century Purity Farm At The Hall Homestead - apples,
  156 Plainfield Pine Road, Plainfield, CT 06354. Phone: (860) 564-8733. Email: pauldesrochers.46@gmail.com. Open: PYO hours are September, October and November on Saturdays from 1 pm to 6 pm; Other hours by appointment. Click here for a map and directions. 18th Century Purity Farm At The Hall Homestead 73 Varieties of heirloom apples are available. PYO apples grown with organic methods (not certified). Many heirloom apples available. Pet friendly.
• Buell's Orchard - apples, blueberries, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, porta-potties are available, school tours
  108 Crystal Pond Road, Eastford, CT 06242. Phone: 860-974-1150. Email: information@buellsorchard.com. Open: Strawberries: Monday to Saturday, from 8am to Noon, Monday AND Thursday from 6pm to 8pm Blueberries and Peaches: Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, Saturday from 8am to 3pm Apples and Pumpkins: Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 5pm, Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Buell's Orchard Facebook page. Strawberries: June Blueberries: Mid-July to Mid-August Peaches: Early August to Early September Apples: Labor Day to Halloween Pumpkins: OctoberStrawberries -JuneBlueberries - Mid-July through August Peaches - Early August into SeptemberApples - Labor Day through late OctoberPumpkins - Late September through HalloweenOpening and Closing dates for each of our fruits are up to the whim of Nature--check with us to be sure we're open!
• Chaplin Farms LLC - PYO peaches, apples, pumpkins, and Christmas trees.
  392 Hampton Road, Chaplin, CT 06235. Phone: 860-455-1100. Open: daily from 10 am to 6, June-December. Click here for a map and directions. Over 15 apple varieties including Macoun and Mutsu.
• DeFazio Orchard and Greenhouses - apples, blueberries, peaches, pumpkins, corn maze,
  1393 North Road, Dayville, CT 06241. Phone: 860-774-3799. Email: defazioorchardandgreenhouses@gmail.com. Open: 7 days a week from 9 am to 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions. is a family owned farm growing fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers. We also offer variety of Pick-Your-Own fruits seasonally. Pick your own apples, pumpkins and our corn maze are all available from 9:30 to 5 all weekend long!No reservations needed for picking ! pick your own peaches 7 days a week! Yellow and white are both available to pick!
• High Springs Orchard - PYO blueberries, peaches, apples.
  47 Dividend Road, Woodstock, CT 06281. Phone: 860-315-7567. Open: June-December on Tues-Sun 10 am to 5 pm; Closed Mondays. Click here for a map and directions. Alternate Phone: 860-993-4732 Country store offers farm fresh vegetables, jams, jellies, cider, famous Grandma Miller pies. Enjoy family atmosphere. Call ahead for picking hours. Our country barn offers pick-your-own blueberries, peaches, apples (July-mid Oct). Variety of bagged apples, 100% All Natural Cider (not concentrate Sept-Dec), pies, Vermont cheese, jams, seasonal vegetables, pumpkins, unique locally made crafts.
• Horse Listeners Orchard - apples, beets, blackberries, blueberries, cucumbers, eggplants, flowers, olallieberries, onions, peaches, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Fresh eggs
  317 Bebbington Rd, Ashford, CT 06278. Phone: (860) 429-5336. Email: matthewcouzens@sbcglobal.net. Open: during store hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards.
  Horse Listeners Orchard Facebook page. There are plenty of fun times at the Orchard with free train rides, free apple cider donuts, and fresh hot apple cider to quench your thirst after pickin your own apples. Please call to make an appointment for your group to enjoy a walk around the orchard and have lunch overlooking the pond at our picnic tables. (UPDATED: June 22, 2016, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on September 12, 2010: "We LOVE this orchard! Picking apples, blueberries, peaches, visiting the horses, pony rides, hay rides, etc."
• Lapsley Orchard - pumpkins, apples, blueberries,
  403 Orchard Hill Road, Rte 169, Pomfret Center, CT 06259. Phone: (860) 928-9186. Email: info@lapsleyorchard.com. Open: daily beginning in mid-July from 10 AM to 6 PM through December 24th. Click here for a map and directions. Lapsley Orchard We begin the harvest season with peaches, PYO blueberries and a wide variety of vegetables. In the fall we have PYO apples and pumpkins and all you fall decorating needs. We have horse drawn wagon rides every Sunday in September and October from 12:00-4:00. Retail stand set on a 200-acre farm. Our orchards grow 50 kinds of apples, peaches, and pears. Our own cider available. Our gardens grow everything possible for the area. We offer a fall festival every Columbus Day weekend. We also have PYO starting August 1, PYO apples starting September 1st and PYO pumpkins starting October 1. Facebook page.
• Oak Haven Farm - Blueberries, Apples, pumpkins, honey from hives on the farm
  113 Khourie Road, Scotland, CT 06264. Phone: (860) 456-3333. Email: lmsmith@snet.net. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: (860) 423-7899. . Crop availability: Blueberries available in July 4th-31st. Apples, pumpkins, & gourds available starting Labor Day.
• Palazzi Orchard - pumpkins, apples, Peaches, vegetables, flowers, raspberries and grapes, hayrides
  1393 North Road, East Killingly, CT 06243. Phone: (860) 774-4363. Open: 7 days all Fall, daily 9:30am to 5:30pm. Click here for a map and directions. 40">Palazzi Orchard Bring your family to one of Connecticut's highest hills. Spectacular four state view. 20 varieties of PYO apples Free weekend hayrides. Peaches in August.
• Woodstock Orchards LLC - pumpkins, apples, blueberries, vegetables
  494 Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281. Phone: (860) 928-2225. Email: woodstockorchards@snet.net. Open: PYO blueberries July 15 to September 1; PYO apples September 2 thru October 19, Pick Your Own Blueberries each year beginning mid July through the month of August, Pick Your Own Apples each year right after Labor Day weekend through mid October. Click here for a map and directions.
  Woodstock Orchards LLC Facebook page. "Pick Your Own Apples" are sold by the bag. We offer a 1/2 bushel and peck size bags for you to pick into. Signage at the Orchard will direct you as to where to purchase the bags (retail barn or drive up into the field).Woodstock Orchards Facebook page. Varieties offered in Pick Your Own are: Macintosh, Cortland, Empire, Macoun, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Ida Red, Fuji, Cameo and Russett. Retail Farm Stand open August 1 thru May, 9 am to 6 pm every day with our own apples, peaches, blueberries, vegetables, pumpkins and our fresh sweet apple cider along with honey, maple syrup, jams, jellies and Vermont cheese. Farm retail stand selling our own apples, peaches, blueberries, pears, vegetables, mums, pumpkins, & sweet cider along with local honey & maple syrup. PYO blueberries & apples Open Aug-May 9 am to 6 pm

 

Apple

Apple Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Apples ripen from the outside of the tree towards the center, so the apples out the outside of the tree will ripen first.  Once they are picked, they stop ripening. Picking apples directly from a tree is easy. Roll the apple upwards off the branch and give a little twist; don't pull straight away from the tree. If two apples are joined together at the top, both will come away at the same time. Don't shake the trees or branches.  If the apple you are trying to pick drops, (or others on the tree) go ahead and pick it up. They're perfectly fine! But do wash them before you eat them! More info: How to tell when apples are ripe

• Once picked, don't throw the apples into the baskets, place them in gently, or they will bruise and go bad more quickly.
• Don't wash apples until just before using to prevent spoilage.
• For an explanation of why apple slices turn brown and how to stop it, see this page!
• Keep apples cool after picking to increase shelf life.  A cool basement is ideal, but the fruit/vegetable drawer of a refrigerator will work, too.  A refrigerator is fine for small quantities of apples. Boxed apples need to be kept in a cool, dark spot where they won't freeze. Freezing ruptures all of an apple's cells, turning it into one large bruise overnight. The usual solution is to store apples in a root cellar. But root cellars often have potatoes in them: apples and potatoes should never be stored in the same room because, as they age, potatoes release an otherwise ethylene gas, which makes apples spoil faster. If you can keep the gas away from your apples, they will keep just fine. Just don't store them right next to potatoes.
  Prevent contact between apples stored for the winter by wrapping them individually in sheets of newspaper. The easiest way to do this is to unfold a section of newspaper all the way and tear it into quarters. Then stack the wrapped apples. See more here: How to store apples at home
• Apples don't improve or "ripen" after being picked - this is an urban myth - see this page for the truth - with references!

Which apple variety is best?

There are tens of thousands of varieties of apples, developed over centuries. They vary in sugar, acoidity, flavors, storing, crispness and many other attributes. See our guides to apple varieties:

• Summary table of many apple varieties and their characteristics
• Detailed descriptions of each apple variety with detailed characteristics
• Apple varieties, sorted by the order in which they typically ripe
• Apple varieties that don't turn brown when they are cut
• Why are some apples brown or spotted inside when you first cut them open?

Canning apples - fully illustrated, with step-by-step instructions

• How to make applesauce
• How to make apple butter 
• How to make apple jelly
• How to make apple pie filling (canned)
• How to can apples
• Home canned apple juice

New!As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

Recipes, illustrated with step by step instructions

• Apple pie recipe and directions and illustrated! I can say, with, ahem, no bias at all, that this is the best apple pie recipe in the world! (Alright, I did have an apple strudel in Vienna once at that place listed in Fodors that was REALLY good, but that wasn't a pie, was it? And since this was the recipe my grandmother used, it must be great!)
• How to make applesauce for a single meal (not canning it) with NO special equipment
• Apple cobbler
• Apple crunch - best of all! Moist, low sugar and using oats!
• Apple crisp - ever-popular, low sugar and using oats!
• Apple, blackberry, cherry, and/or peach cobbler
• Apple-blackberry, crumble - a English favorite (or favourite)

Using fresh apples and miscellaneous

• How to stop cut apples from browning
• Apple festivals - find one near you!
• Apple facts
• Apple seeds and cyanide

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers