2024 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Apple U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Apple U-Pick Orchards in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania 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

Lancaster County

• Brecknock Orchard - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, nectarines, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), strawberries, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
  390 Orchard Road, Mohnton, PA 19540. Phone: 717-445-5704. Email: brecknockorchard@frontier.com. Open: May to September Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 7 pm Wednesday and Saturday 8 am to 5 pm Closed Sunday October to December Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 6 pm Wednesday and Saturday 8 am to 5 pm Closed Sunday. Directions: 222 North to Denver 272 exit. Take 272 North to 897 South. Go 1 12 miles on 897 south, then turn left on Gehmans School Road. Go 1 mile to stop sign, then turn right on Orchard Road. Brecknock Orchard will be 12 mile on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Brecknock Orchard Facebook page. Fax: 717-445-0348 222 North to Denver 272 exit. Take 272 North to 897 South. Go 1 1/2 miles on 897 south, then turn left on Gehmans School Road. Go 1 mile to stop sign, then turn right on Orchard Road. will be 1/2 mile on the leftFarm Market is open May thru December with a full selection of fresh local fruits and vegetables; Pick your own crops are available in season; Join us for our Fall Festival the last Saturday in September and each Saturday in October. We use integrated pest management practices Typical harvest dates (CALL FIRST) Dates are approximate and change every year due to the weather. Visit the Harvest Schedule page to see actual harvesting dates and details.: Strawberries June 2 - June 28, Red Raspberries June 28 to October 15, Black Raspberries July 1 to July 21, Blackberries July 19 to September 18, Peaches July 26 to September 14, Nectarines July 26 to September 14, Apples August 10 to November 9, Pumpkins September 21 to November 1.
• Cherry Hill Orchards & Farm Market - Sweet and Pie Cherries, Strawberries, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Apples and Pumpkins
  400 Long Lane, Route 324 at Route 741, Lancaster, PA 17603. Phone: (717) 872-9311. Email: Info@cherryhillorchards.com. Open: Market hours are 8 am to 6 pm on Monday to Saturday, Closed on Sunday, Pick-your-own hours vary and will be on the new forthcoming website. Click here for a map and directions.
  Cherry Hill Orchards & Farm Market Facebook page. Cherry Hill Orchards is a pick your own orchard. Also PYO strawberries in May/June. We sell three sizes of containers, so you don't need to bring containersWe also offer all of our fruits and sweet corn in season at our Outlet store both on a retail and wholesale basis. In the spring, we offer hardwood mulch and a variety of plants geared toward the homeowner. Cherries in June, August for Peach, Blackberry and Apple picking! (UPDATED: May 02, 2022)
• Kauffman Orchards - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, apples, cherries, pears, peaches, plums, pumpkins, strawberries, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals
  53 South Weavertown Rd, Ronks, PA 17572. Phone: (717) 768-0050. Email: anna@kauffman.farm. Open: Friday and Saturday 9 am to 4 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Kauffman Orchards Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (717) 768-7112 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesWe minimize use of pesticides and other chemicalsWhat's better than fresh fruit, picked by hand, straight from the orchard? Starting in July and running through fall, bring the family to and enjoy picking your own seasonal fruit! This year we are excited to offer Pick Your Own for the following produce: apples, peaches, pears, plums, and pumpkins. Free For All U-Pick Customers: Your purchase includes a wagon ride for your entire party, a picnic area, and a chance to pet the goats!(ADDED: September 07, 2021)
• Masonic Village Farm Market - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, peaches, sunflowers, pumpkins, Fresh eggs, porta-potties are available, restrooms, school tours
  310 Eden View Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Phone: 717-361-4520. Email: farmmarket@masonicvillages.org. Open: Pick-Your-Own apples and peaches Thursday through Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 3 pm during the dates listed on their website. Directions: From Market Street in Elizabethtown Locate square in Elizabethtown Follow High Street west for about 1-12 miles Under Amtrak bridge immediate left 50 feet right into main entrance of Masonic Village Follow main drive Turn right at first road Farm Market is at second stop sign. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Masonic Village Farm Market Facebook page. Fax: 717-361-5592 U-Pick updates: Click here for PYO updates. Pick Your Own Peaches, Apples, Pumpkins and Sunflowers August - October From Market Street in Elizabethtown Locate square in Elizabethtown Follow High Street west for about 1-1/2 miles Under Amtrak bridge immediate left 50 feet right into main entrance of Masonic Village Follow main drive Turn right at first road Farm Market is at second stop signWe use integrated pest management practicesA full mail-order catalog is available including our large selection of jams, jellies and award winning fruit butters. We accept orders via our web site. Delivery is available via FedEx to anywhere in the USA. Pumpkins are only available on specified weekends. Due to health regulations, pets are not allowed in the orchard or the Farm Market. Weekdays: Please stop in the Farm Market to receive instructions on picking locations and to get your picking supplies. Please bring your apples into the Farm Market to check out before you leave. Weekends: You may go directly to the orchard for picking supplies and checkout. (UPDATED: January 25, 2023) 2020 prices were PYO Apple Price: $1.00 per pound, PYO Pumpkin Price: $.65 per pound, PYO Peach Price: $1.25 per pound, Cut Your Own Sunflowers: $1.00 per stem. Variety and quantity availability is on a first come basis. Mother Nature decides the volume on the trees, what date the fruit ripens and when it falls off the trees. A full mail-order catalog is available including our large selection of jams, jellies and award winning fruit butters. We accept orders via our web site. Delivery is available via FedEx to anywhere in the USA. We specialize in Asparagus, Strawberries, Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Pears, Apple Cider and over 50 varieties of Apples. Pick-Your-Own apples are available each fall. Pies, Apple Dumplings and cookies are baked fresh daily. The Masonic Village orchard has been a proud steward of the land for 100 years. We practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) on our farm in order to preserve sustainable agriculture for our generation and generations to come. For more information on IPM, please visit our web sitePumpkins are only available on specified Saturdays. Due to health regulations, pets are not allowed in the orchard or the Farm Market. On Weekdays: Please stop in the Farm Market on weekdays to receive instructions on picking locations and to get your picking supplies. Please bring your apples into the Farm Market to check out before you leave. Saturdays: You may go directly to the orchard for picking supplies and checkout.

 

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