Prepare for Fall With This Complete Guide to Apple Picking

Ask anyone what their favorite season is, and more often than not, you will hear fall. From the crisp autumn air to the smell of pumpkin spice everything, there are so many reasons to love fall. When you have a family, planning autumn activities to do together is often the highlight of the season. One fun family activity to participate in, in the early fall, is apple picking.

Yet, if you've never taken your family apple picking before, it can be confusing to know where to start. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about apple picking, so you can add this fun activity to your fall lineup and make the best of this upcoming season.

Why Apple Picking is the Perfect Fall Family Activity

Apple picking is perfect for families for so many reasons! For starters, it is such a calm activity that children and adults can enjoy at any stage of life. You can take your time with this activity and not worry about anything scary popping out. (Like we experienced one year when we accidentally wandered into the scary side of a corn maze with four little ones!)

Also, the fun doesn't just stop at the apple orchard. There are so many different ways to use the apples you pick when you get home! Whether it's just eating them straight from the orchard, baking them into a delicious apple pie, or pairing them with cinnamon to make yummy homemade applesauce. These small activities can add to the fun.

What Should You Bring With You?

When you go apple picking, you may be wondering what to bring. While there is no real hard and fast rule, there are some general ideas of what to bring to make your trip to the apple orchard comfortable for yourself and your family.

Start by checking the weather and be sure to dress for it. Bring a jacket if it's going to be a little chilly. Wear comfortable shoes since there may be a lot of walking. Load up on the sunscreen and bug spray. With apple picking taking place in an orchard, there are bound to be bugs around. You may not want to forget the hand sanitizer either.

If you want to make a day of it, you can always bring a picnic basket with lunch, snacks, and drinks. For the apple picking part, it may be a wise idea to bring your own bag or basket just in case the orchard doesn't provide one.

If you're visiting the orchard with small children, bringing a stroller or wagon can help make the experience better for those with little legs. Lastly, you will want to bring some cash just in case the orchard you are visiting doesn't accept cards.

How to Make the Most of Your Apple Picking Experience

Sure, you can visit an apple orchard on a whim, and chances are the trip will be great. However, you can take your visit to the next level by intentionally figuring out how to make the most of your apple-picking experience.

First things first, check the weather before you head out; nothing dampens a trip to the orchard faster than unexpected rain. You can also consider what types of apple varieties you like to help you decide when they are ripe. Knowing when your favorite apples are ripe will help you plan the best time to visit.

There's no need to bring your tools. Ripe apples will come off the trees easily. Additionally, these apple trees can be pretty fragile. You don't want your tools to harm them in any way.

An apple that is ready to be picked will have a soft shade of yellow or green, or will be a darker red. Ripe apples also detach from the trees very easily; there's no reason to tug or pull at an apple. If you have to, that means they aren't ready yet.

Now, how do you pick an apple the right way? You start with the apples on the outer limbs. Then lift the apple towards the branch and twist. If the apple is ripe, then it will come off easily. However, don't shake the tree, as it can damage it.

In Conclusion

Apple picking can be the perfect time to create unforgettable memories as a family. Don't forget your camera! Even if you do, those memories will live on in your and your child's minds for years to come. Hopefully, with this guide on everything you need to know about apple picking, you'll feel more confident and excited for your next family fun adventure.  

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mariana Serdynska/Shutterstock.com