It’s nearly fall, and apples are getting ripe on the trees at orchards all over the state. These fruits will find their way to farmers’ markets and stores all over the Columbus, Ohio area, but going to the orchard and picking your own apples is a fun and relaxing fall activity. It can be a fun family event, with children enjoying the picking out their favorites, or it can be a nice daytime date activity, walking among the trees and picking some fruit while enjoying each other’s company.
These fruits can be taken home to eat or to become part of delicious dishes from entrees to dessert or couples with some cheese and a bottle of wine for a nice picnic under the trees. However you choose to enjoy the apples, don’t miss out on the fun of picking your own.
Below is a list of some of the orchards and farms in the area around Columbus that offer pick your own services. Be sure to check out their websites or call them before visiting to check on hours, fruit availability, and terms of sale (some places only accept cash, others take checks and/or credit cards as well).
- Buckingham Orchards 8803 Cheshire Road, Sunbury. (740) 965-2427. In addition to pick-your-own, visitors can purchase IQF fruits, jams, jellies, cider, and other apple-related products. Hours are 10am-6pm Mon, Tues, and Thurs-Sat and 12:30-6pm on Sunday. Closed Wednesdays and holidays.
- Cherry Hawk Farm 16220 Springdale Road, Marysville. (937) 642-6442. Open from 6pm to dark most days for pick-your-own or carry-out by appointment. Visit their website for ripening dates and more information.
- Huck’s Orchard 556 New Love Road, South Charleston. (937) 568-5459. This orchard offers apples and pumpkins. Open 9am-6pm Friday and Saturday through August, their hours will be extended as more fruit comes into ripeness. Check their website for hours and availability.
- Lawrence Orchards 2634 Smeltzer Road, Marion. (740) 389-3019. Lawrence Orchards features 26 varieties of apples plus peaches, pumpkins, and more. Open from 9am-5pm in summer. Updates and a map are available at their website.
- Legend Hills Orchard 11335 Reynolds Road, Utica. (740) 892-3832. Apples, peaches, pumpkins, berries, fresh honey from their own apiary, fresh-cut or live Christmas trees and more are staples at Legend Hills. The market is open from 9am-6pm daily. Visit their website for more information.
- Louden Family Orchard 576 North State Route 560, Urbana. (937) 653-4558. With over 20 varieties of apple, Louden is open from mid-August through early November. In addition to the apples, visitors can purchase freshly pressed, unpasteurized juice and cider. Hours are M-F 10am-6pm, Saturday 10-4, and Sunday 12-4.
- Lynd Fruit Farm 9090 Morse Road SW, Pataskala. (740) 927-1333. Lynd Farm features apples, peaches, berries, plums, and many more products. In addition to the great produce, Lynd offers a giant corn maze, wagon rides, campfires, and school tours. Information on all their products and activities is available on their website.
- Windy Hill Apple Farm 1740 Sportsman Club Road, Newark. (740) 587-3632. In operation since 1995, Windy Hill Apple Farm is dedicated to sustainable and low-impact agriculture. They raise 10 varieties of apples, and also have raspberries and fresh-pressed and hard cider. This year’s crop is light, so visitors will want to contact the farm before a trip. See their website for more information.
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