U-pick apple season has arrived on the North Fork.
The early season apples have ripened at a few North Fork farms, like Windy Acres in Calverton and Wickham’s Fruit Farm in Cutchogue. More tart and sweet varieties are expected to be in by mid-September.
“There’s a trick to getting them off the tree,” said farmer Tom Wickham of Wickham’s Fruit Farm in Cutchogue. “You grab it and rotate it upside down and pull it. It should come right off. If you pull it straight down off the branch, it’s likely it won’t come.”
When deciding which apple to pick, Wickham said, “redder is better. That’s the simplest way to pick what’s ripe.”
Get your North Fork apples, which are perfect for caramel dipping or pie filling.
Browse our U-pick guide below and keep checking with the farms for availability.
3810 Middle Country Road, Calverton (631) 727-4554
Windy Acres has several varieties ready for picking. The fields are open 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. every day.
It costs $8 to enter the field. Be sure to call first to make sure the fields are open.
Harbes Family Orchard
5698 Sound Ave. Riverhead, (631) 298-0800
Harbes will host an apple festival this weekend, Sept. 10 and Sept. 11. More than 24 apple varieties will ripen on the 15-acre orchard over the course of the season. The farm is open from 10 to 6 p.m. every weekend in September and October. Visit their website for the ripening schedule.
It is $8 to enter the orchard, or patrons can purchase a combo package that includes admission to Harbes’ corn maze and a hay ride. Combo tickets are $19 for those ages 13 and up or $17 for those between the ages of 3 and 12.
No pets or outside food and drinks are allowed on the farm.
Woodside Orchard
729 Main Road, Aquebogue (631) 722-5770
Manor Lane, Jamesport
U-pick apples are expected to start around Sept. 17. U-pick will run from 10 to 5:30 and the orchard will be closed on Wednesdays. Woodside charges $15 for a bag that can hold between 10 and 14 pounds of apples. Stop in to the Aquebogue location for hard cider tasting!
Visit woodsideorchards.com for updated information.
Lewin Farms
Fresh Pond Avenue, Calverton (631) 929-4327
Lewin began offering U-pick apples in late August. Apples cost $1.75 a pound and can only be purchased with cash. No animals are allowed in the orchard for health and safety reasons.
Wickham’s Fruit Farm
28700 Main Rd. Cutchogue, (631) 734-6441 *closed Sundays
Wickham’s will begin offering U-pick apples on Friday, Sept. 9. Call for pricing. Check the website for which varieties are available.
