Tips for Apple Picking Fall Fun

Leaves are changing colors, nights are getting cooler, and pumpkins abound. The season of fall is being ushered in with complete beauty here in Seattle. We’ve had some sun-filled days over the past week. For many, fall also means the season of apples, and with that, apple picking!

Spontaneously, I planned an apple picking outing for our girls one day after school last week. The Farm at Swan’s Trail in Snohomish, Washington has been posting on their Facebook page about their u-pick apple trees being open for business, and I couldn’t let a sunny day pass without heading out there for a visit. Here are some tips to help you make the most out your own apple picking trip.

• Check the website/Call the farm ahead of time to ask for their hours and what their current crop is for apple picking. The Farm was seeing the end of it’s Honeycrisp apple crop, however the Jonagold apples were ripe for the picking! They also run shorter hours on the weekdays as the weekends are their peak visit times.

• Bring your own basket/bags.  The Farm at Swan’s Trail gave us a beautiful bag for our use, but that isn’t always the case. I had brought a basket and bag for each of the girls so they could keep their own apples. They really became attached to the apples they picked and I was glad they each had their own bags. You also want to make sure you have something to bring the apples home in since some farms only offer baskets to use while apple picking.

• Discuss the apple picking rules before setting the kids loose.  Faith grabbed for one without holding it properly and it dropped onto the ground. Rule at The Farm is you drop it, you buy it. Which is only right as you can’t have people (kids) wasting good apples and letting them rot on the ground.

• Set an apple picking limit for your kids.  A tree ripe with apples is like an apple picking dream for kids. They’re going to want to grab A LOT! And if you have more than one kid, it’s really hard to make sure each of them are making good choices and being careful. If they know they’re only apple picking for 4 or 5 apples, they’ll perhaps take a little more care in their choosing and picking.

• Bring cash, just in case.  Some u-pick farms work on an honor system of payment. You weigh your apples (produce) and then leave the payment in a payment box.

• Lastly, have an awesome apple recipe & ingredients ready to go for when you get home. You won’t be able to resist the opportunity to turn your apple picking trip into some yummy goodness!

Has anyone else been apple picking this fall? If you’re looking for some great fall getaways, check out these fall family getaways in New England, this fall biking trip on the Stowe recreation path, these fall trips in the Georgia mountains, and these amazing fall destinations in California!

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