Lessons Learned From My Annual Apple Picking Trips

Hello my friends! Can you believe we’re heading into Fall right now? I can feel the season changing in the air. Around this time, I get a little sad (because I love Summer) but I also get excited for the leaves changing color and… if you’ve been following awhile: APPLE PICKING!

As an Oregonian, it’s totally normal to visit various farms around your hometown for your produce. It’s actually recommended and encouraged because it supports your local family farmers, not to mention your neighbors. Anyway, since living in Seattle, it’s a bit harder to visit farms. Unless they’re at my farmer’s market. Going apple picking, specifically, is a day trip!

So, I thought I put together a few Lessons Learned From My Annual Apple Picking Trips as a blog post. 😊

Let’s get into it!

U Pink Honey Crisp Apples Swan Trail Farm — Picking Honey Crisp Apples!

Table of Contents

Lessons Learned From My Annual Apple Picking Trips

Over the past few years that I’ve written a few blog posts on apple picking (2020, 2018, 2017).

Honestly? I’m excited to write this post this year! It’s something that always reminds me of home. To start, there is nothing, and I mean nothing, in comparison to a Washington State apple. They are juicy and flavorful, crunchy and delicious. Other states try, but they’re just not as good. #SorryNotSorry

Just like there is nothing like a cool crisp Autumn morning with a basket full of chubby apples for a crumble or my Uncle’s cranberry apple pie.

Lesson One: When to go Apple Picking

My friends, for the first 6 years of living in this city… I would look up apple picking at the end of September/early October and they’s all be closed for the season already. This may come as a shock, but right now is when you need to start researching your local u-pick farms for apples.

I recommend going the first weekend the orchards open. That guarantees you the best apples for picking!

Definitely check your farmer’s website or give them a call to see what’s available. Also keep in mind that different apples could mean different times they’re ready throughout the season.

Examples:

End of August: Galas are generally ready.
Beginning of September: Macintosh and Honey Crisp are ready.
End of September: Empire, Golden & Red Delicious are ready.
Beginning of October: Jonagold & Granny Smith are ready.

Lesson Two: Educate Yourself on Apples

It’s really important to know what kind of apples you’re looking. Especially before just jumping in car to go apple picking. Haha.

Washington State is well known for their apples but we really only grow nine different kinds. Every so often a farmer goes rogue but they stick to the basics:

Braeburn
Cameo
Fuji
Gala
Golden Delicious
Granny Smith
Honeycrisp
Pink Lady
Red Delicious

Lessons Learned From My Annual Apple Picking Trips — Showing off my prized apple!

Lesson Three: Farmer’s Websites Aren’t Always Up To Date

If I have learned anything over the past 25+ years of pickin’ at farms it’s this:

Farmers are farmers. Not Techies.

Farmer’s are busy people and they do not always have time to be up dating their websites and facebook pages everyday. For them, it’s easier to answer the phone or literally update their websites the day orchards are open. Do yourself a favor, call or email for exact details.

Lesson Four: What to Wear to an Apple Orchard

This one completely depends on who and where you are. If you’re a fashion blogger, your outfit is gonna look different than someone who’s just there for a quick pick and apples. Either way, I cannot recommend comfort enough.

Truthfully, the best shoes are wellies or waterproof boots/booties. I wore my new pair of Timberlands last year and they were the perfect shoe. In the past I’ve worn just a sweater and last year I got so hot. I was happy I brought a light jacket.

A few years ago, it rained so we were in full rain gear. Just be you and it’ll be great… but I really don’t recommend your favorite expensive flats or sandals. There will be mud and you will regret it.

Lesson Five: How to Pick the Best Apples

What I love about Swan Tail Farms (a farm just outside of Seattle) is that they pull each apple picking group aside to give them a lesson in apple picking. It’s actually really important to know how to pick from the stems so you don’t knock other apples off the tree or damage the tree for the next harvest year.

Example: Last year we picked honey crisps and galas. 🍎

For honey crisp – simply pull the apple up, down and up again til it gently breaks from the tree.

For gala apples – twist the apple til it naturally detaches. I love getting this lesson every year.

Not going to lie, I am absolutely guilty of trying to pick the prettiest apples. In fact, it becomes a type of game with family and friends. Who can find the prettiest apple?!

In actuality, the prettiest apple might not be the tastiest. The best apples are the ones that are actually of average size with a lovely coloring that doesn’t match all the way around. Last year I learned that a “rosey coloring” is best for honey crisps. Too yellow and big means they could be over ripe and not have much flavor.

There is also nothing wrong with apples that are imperfect or have texture on them. They’re still perfectly good on the inside.

Annual Apple Picking Trip // On the Trip Side Blog

Lesson Six: Cleaning Your Apples

Especially considering what we’ve been through in the past year and a half, it’s highly recommended you wash your apples before just digging in. I like this article on how to wash your apples but, another option is to peel them for baking or snacking. Just make sure you clean them first. 😊

That’s all for Lessons Learned From My Annual Apple Picking Trips

I hope you guys learned something from my mishaps and farm education. This was really fun for me to write. For more on apples, farms and picking, check out my recommended post below.

Happy Apple Harvest, darlings! 🍏