From the sweet crunch of a Honeycrisp apple to the aromatic delight of a Fuji, or the perfect York for a pie, Maryland grown apples offer a bounty of flavors and experiences. Family-friendly farms with hayrides and cider tastings, plus mom-and-pop bakeries, make apple picking in Maryland more than just a seasonal excursion—it’s an invitation to embrace the beauty and bounty of autumn.
To enjoy the best time of year for apple picking, Marylanders can head to the orchards anytime from the start of September to the end of October. During this period, local orchards produce a wide variety of apples. Cortland, Crispin, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman, and York make up a majority of apple varieties grown in Maryland. Though apples may seem similar in nature, there are subtle differences unique to each type. The Red Delicious, for example, is known for being best eaten fresh off the tree, while the Jonathan and York are best used for cooking and baking in pies, preserves, salads, and more!
Upon arriving at an orchard, you’ll head to the stand or counter to check-in (some locations may require a reservation or have unique hours, so make sure to check ahead). Then, it’s either a hayride or short stroll to the orchard for picking. It is important to note that some locations may have a time limit, while others may have limits on the number of apples you’re allowed to pick.
Selecting the perfect apple is more than just grabbing one off the tree and hoping for the best, so here are some helpful apple-picking tips. Apples that are on the tree’s outer branches ripen earlier. Apples stop ripening once they are harvested, unlike other fruits, so you’ll want to pick ones that look ready to eat. Once you have your apple identified, you can pull it off using a twisting motion, while holding the branch steady with your other hand, and lifting it up. Ripe apples should come off the branch easily with minimal resistance. Make sure to have a bag or basket for harvesting the picked apples. Storing your apples in a cool, dark area, such as the refrigerator, will help maintain their freshness. Avoid storing apples with other fruits, as this can affect the speed at which they turn bad.
Ready to get picking? There are plenty of local apple picking orchards and farms across the state. Here are a few Maryland orchards
Baugher’s Orchard and Farm. 1015 Baugher Road, Westminster; baughers.com/locations. This all-in-one farm offers apple picking, a petting zoo, bakery, market, and more. Baugher’s sits on more than 1,200 acres of land filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. You can find plenty of homemade sauces, jellies, butters, condiments, pies, pastries, ciders, and more at Baugher’s Bakery. Mrs. B’s Ice Cream Window is the perfect place for soft serve ice cream and other sweet treats after picking your own apples, peaches, and plums.
Garver Farm. 5501 Detrick Road, Mount Airy; gaverfarm.com/pick-your-own-apples. Located in Mount Airy, Garver Farm offers pick-your-own apple hours on Fridays from 12–6 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the fall. Garver Farm is also known for its hayrides to the orchards, pumpkin donut holes, apple cider donuts, fudge, and more!
Kent Fort Farm. 135 Eastern Lane, Stevensville; facebook.com/kentfortfarm. Just over the Bay Bridge, Kent Fort Farm is a quick trip from Annapolis! Along with apple picking, this farm is well-known for high quality peaches and seasonal vegetables to pick spring through fall.
Larriland Farm. 2415 Woodbine Road, Woodbine; pickyourown.com. This popular Howard County pick-your-own farm is during the entire growing season, which begins with the ripening of the strawberry crop, in late May, and ends with the apple harvest, in early November.
Lewis Orchard. 18901 Peach Tree Road, Dickerson; lewisorchardfarmmarket.com. Full of apples, veggies, and more, Lewis Orchard is another Maryland mainstay. Make sure to grab a fresh baked pie, Thursdays through Sundays, located in their store stocked full of additional artisanal goods.
Lohr’s Orchard. 3301 Churchville Road, Aberdeen; lohrsorchard.com. A Hartford County tradition, Lohr’s not only boasts some of the best apple picking in the state but also offers a wide range of seasonal sweets and treats.
Rock Hill Orchard. 28600 Ridge Road Mount Airy; rockhillorchard.com. You can select more than 30 different varieties of apples to pick across 30 acres. Plus, there’s farmers’ market and on-site creamery, which features Golden Guernsey Milk, gourmet ice cream, and grass-fed beef.
