Take Your Pick: Apple Season Begins In North Salem

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- It's apple-picking season -- the ideal time to enjoy the crisp fall weather -- not to mention apple cider, cider doughnuts and just-baked apple pie.

Sampling the apples at Outhouse Orchards in Croton Falls.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Fresh pies and baked goods are some of the homemade treats at Outhouse Orchards.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Apples from Stuart's Fruit Farm in Granite Springs.
Photo Credit: *Facebook*

Apple cider at Wilkins Fruit and Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights.
Photo Credit: *Facebook*

Visitors pack Outhouse Orchards on fall weekends for apples, pumpkins, baked goods, and more.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Jeanne Muchnick

09/18/2016 3:00 p.m.

Poll

Final Results Voting Closed

What's Your Favorite Apple?

Gala
16%
Empire
3%
Cortland
3%
McIntosh
19%
Honeycrisp
34%
Macoun
10%
Red Delicious
10%
Gala Red
2%
Jonagold
3%

What follows is a sampling of where to go.

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, North Salem: Grab some sweet McIntosh off the trees, then head to the farm store where you can pick up apple cider, old fashioned cider doughnuts, home-baked pies, fresh eggs, grass-fed beef and pork. There are also hayrides, pony rides and farm animals (though no feeding or petting). During the winter months the farm sells its own vegetable-fed, antibiotic and hormone-free broad breasted bronze turkeys fresh for Thanksgiving and fresh Christmas greens including wreaths and pre-cut Christmas trees. Grab an Apple: 130 Hardscrabble Rd., (914) 485-1210, www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com/.

Outhouse Orchards, North Salem: This bustling farm has lots to choose from. Aside from apples, you'll find lots of leafy greens from their garden, local honey and maple syrup. There's also a corn maze. From now through Oct. 18 you'll find McIntosh, Cortland and Rhode Island Greenings, with Rome, Baldwin and Red Delicious in later October/early November. Grab an Apple: 139 Hardscrable Rd., (914) 277-3188, www.outhouseorchardsny.com/.

Stuart's Fruit Farm, Granite Springs: Embracing families is something the family-owned Stuart's has been doing for years. Guests will find hayrides on weekends, a full bakery and yes, tons of apples. Among the varieties: Honeycrisp, Macintosh, Jonamac and Gala. Pumpkin picking starts in October. Grab an Apple: 62 Granite Springs Rd., (914) 245-2784, www.stuartsfarm.com/.

Thompson’s Cider Mill, Croton-on-Hudson: You can't pick apples here but you can enjoy the apple ambiance and watch fresh-pressed apple cider process. Located next to the Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining, the Mill has been making fresh-pressed apple cider since 1975. There are also tons of pies, cider donuts, and local honey. Grab an Apple: 335 Blinn Rd., (914) 271-2254, www.thompsonscidermill.com/.

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm, Yorktown Heights: Apple picking is in full swing at Wilkens where riding the hay wagon to this week’s picking orchard (the location of which changes weekly as different varieties ripen) is part of the fun. Grab an Apple: 1313 White Hill Rd., (914) 245-5111, www.wilkensfarm.com/.

Have another spot you like? Tell us about it in our comments or email jmuchnick@dailyvoice.com.

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