Where to go apple picking
This year's harvest is expected to be above average, says an industry trade group.
Where to go apple picking This year's harvest is expected to be above average, says an industry trade group. Check out this story on lohud.com: http://lohud.us/1x7sh74
Michael Risinit, mrisinit@lohud.com Published 4:07 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2014 | Updated 5:29 p.m. ET Oct. 3, 2014
Freshly picked apples at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014.(Photo: Seth Harrison/The Journal News)Buy Photo
Orchards in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland are ready with apples.
This year's harvest is expected to be above average, an industry group says.
Growing conditions were almost perfect, the group said.
Mother Nature was a mostly benevolent force on this year's apple crop, providing "perfect pollinator weather" for bees to flit from tree to tree.
"All that through a great summer that was largely (free of) negative weather," said Julia Stewart, a spokeswoman for the New York Apple Association. "Knock on apple wood. Things are rolling right along."
Some of this year's expected harvest of 30 million bushels of apples is waiting on trees in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties.
While 2014's harvest is expected to be above average, according to the New York Apple Association, some Lower Hudson Valley growers say last year's harsh winter left their older trees struggling to produce fruit.
"The older trees for some reason did not fare well," said Richard Concklin of The Orchards of Concklin in Pomona. "The trees themselves are fine. There's just not that many apples on them."
Nonetheless, his operation along with other orchards across the Lower Hudson Valley, have hundreds of acres and thousands of trees to help you get your apple fix.
Apple picking fun at Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm in Yorktown
Ripe apples ready to be picked at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Frank Melagrano of Yorktown uses a poll to reach apples as he spends the afternoon apple picking with family at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Brian Rosenberg, 11, of Irvington climbs a tree to reach apples he picks apples with his parents at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
With apples in both hands, as well as in her mouth, Zoe Stonecipher, 7, of Mount Kisco runs around an apple tree while apple picking with her family at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Freshly picked apples at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Jordan Fischer, 17, of Merrick, New York, sits on her father Marc's shoulders as she picks apples at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Marty Abraham of Queens, along with his daughter Serena, and wife Otilla, pick apples at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Matthew Pascu, 6, of Queens, sits on his father Alex's shoulders as he picks apples at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Michael Sarcinella, 8, of Yonkers sits on a tree branch as he picks apples at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
People come and go from the apple orchards at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Andrew Bauman of Rye Brook, left, and Laurent Schares of Pleasantville carry apples back to their car after spending the afternoon apple picking at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights Sept. 14, 2014. Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Take your pick of the local apple growers listed below and find more growers, recipes and other information at www.nyapplecountry.com. Call first or check each orchard's website to find out varieties are available and to make sure they are still picking.
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, North Salem
The supply is running thin, but there are apples left near the tops of some trees — mostly McIntosh with other varieties available in the farm store.
A pumpkin patch offers already-gathered gourds. Fall festival weekends will run through September and October (including Columbus Day weekend) and feature music, hay rides and face-painting.
You can also take your four-legged buddy. Leashed dogs are welcome in the orchard and the festival grounds but not inside the store.
Go: 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem. 914-485-1210. www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The store is open until 6 p.m.
Stuart's Fruit Farm, Granite Springs
You-pick apples and pumpkins.
"You-pick will run until the first week of November," said Betsy Stuart, whose husband's family has been working the land there since 1832. "we have a nice crop."
The farm has at least 19 varieties you can choose from throughout the season. Weekend hay rides and pumpkin picking are also available.
Go: 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs. 914-245-2784, www.stuartsfarm.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; farm stand open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wilkens Fruit Farm, Yorktown
Perched on a ridge rising above the Taconic State Parkway, the farm is in its 98th season. Once you park your car, you can commute by tractor to the day's picking area. The pumpkin patch opens for business in October.
Too short to reach the branches? Picking poles are available for a small rental fee. Between now and the end of October, Cortlands, Golden Delicious and Ida Reds should be waiting on the trees.
Apples, as well as baked goods, can be found in the farm market and you can start thinking about holiday pie orders (if you wish).
Go: 1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown. 914-245-5111, www.wilkensfarm.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily; the market is open until 5 p.m.
Salinger's Orchard, Southeast
Third-generation farmers Bruce and Maureen Salinger are waiting on Guinea Road, just over the Westchester line and into Putnam County, with 18 varieties of apples and a host of other products — including local, raw honey. The farm was established in 1901 and is worth a visit for the cider doughnuts alone.
Not pick-your-own, but the orchard's apples are sold in the market. Have a fall wedding planned? The orchard offers caramel apple wedding favors. It's exactly what it sounds like, done up in plastic wrap and a colorful ribbon.
Go: 230 Guinea Road, Brewster. 845-277-3521, www.salingersorchard.com. Hours: open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day during apple season.
Dr. Davies Farm, Congers
The farm's website boasts of 4,000 trees available for your picking pleasure. You can also hop aboard a trailer for a ride to the pumpkin patch.
Plan ahead: It's cash only, no credit cards according to the farm's website. If you feel like you're swimming in apples afterward, check out their website for other uses, including apple sauce.
The farm was started in the late 1800s by Dr. Lucy Meriwether Davies, one of the state's first female physicians, and Arthur B. Davies, who is credited with introducing modern art to the U.S.
Go: 306 Route 304, Congers, 845-268-7020; www.drdaviesfarm.com. Hours: 10 a.m-4 p.m daily.
The Orchards of Concklin, Pomona
Quantity may be an issue because of the harsh winter, Concklin mentioned above, but quality isn't.
"The quality's really good and the apples are good-sized," said Concklin, who helps run the 100-acre farm.
The land has been farmed by his family since just before the Revolutionary War.
Visitors can pluck apples from the trees most likely through Columbus Day, he said. A harvest festival will take place the following weekend, Oct. 18 and 19.
Prefer your apples in liquid form? Fresh-pressed cider is available. The farm also offers pies and doughnuts
Go: 2 S. Mountain Road (off Route 45), Pomona, 845-354-0369; www.orchardsofconcklin.com. Hours: Pick-your-own 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting.
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