Summer has officially ended and now is the time when people start to get into fall mode. Fall is the season full of chilly winds, spiced teas, and apple pie. Apple pie is a fall staple that no one can turn down. Who could ever turn down a hot piece of apple pie with vanilla ice cream on top? Your mouth is watering by just thinking about it.
However, in order to perfectly construct an apple pie, you need apples. This brings us to the topic of where to go apple picking. It is the ripe time to go apple picking and get the best apples that orchards have to offer. There are many places near and far where you can go apple picking.
Apple picking defines the fall season. It’s the time when family and friends head to their favorite apple orchard and pick the ripest apples, brightest pumpkins, and the tastiest apple cider donuts. Apple picking is like the pre-season to the holiday season.
However, for many college students it can be hard to get home to go apple picking with their families. We feel like we are missing out a bit. However, going apple picking with friends can be just as much fun. Here are a few orchards that are worth the travel and will allow you to make plenty of memories.
If you want to make a day trip and travel a little futher, Shady Brook Farms in Yardley, Pennsylvania is the place to go. Shady Brook was founded by T. Herman Fleming in 1913 as a wholesale farm growing crops for markets in the Philadelphia area. The orchard has haunted attractions, an Annual Easter Egg Hunt, giant Corn Maze, and a Holiday Light Show. Today Shady Brook Farm is being run by the fourth generation of Flemings.
Dr. Rebecca Sanford, a communication professor at the University, has been to Shady Brook Farms. Sanford has nothing but good things to say about the orchard.
“Shady Brook also has pumpkin ice cream,” Sanford said, “It’s totally worth the drive.”
Shady Brook Farms is about an hour and a half drive from Monmouth. So if you and your friends or family are willing to make the drive, you won’t be disappointed. Plus, who could ever turn down homemade pumpkin ice cream?
However if you are not feeling up for the drive all the way to Pennsylvania, there are plenty of orchards close to Monmouth that you could go to get your apple-picking fix.
Battleview Orchards in Freehold, New Jersey (right next door to us) is also a popular pick amongst the crowd. If you’re craving some homemade apple cider donuts, this is the place to go.
The orchard does have group tours that provide hands-on-experience as you and your family pick you own apples and pumpkins. However group picking must be scheduled. Battleview Orchards also has a “Pick Your Own” Membership Card that needs to be purchased in order for families to pick on their orchards. But it is not going to break the piggy bank; it is only $1.00 per family or group.
But Battleview Orchards doesn’t stop at apples. The orchards have peaches, pumpkins, and hayrides that have just started on September 21st.
However, if you are looking for an orchard that doesn’t have admissions fees, Eastmont Orchards in Colts Neck, New Jersey would be your perfect spot. Eastmont has apples, peaches, and pumpkins. The pick-your-own season began around mid-July and won’t end until the last week of October.
Tiffany Correa, junior communications major, claims that this orchard is the first orchard that comes to mind.
“It’s close and convenient, and really has good apples, pumpkins, and peaches,” she said.
So, if you’re looking for a place that doesn’t require an admission fee and has a variety of apples, peaches, and pumpkins just waiting to be picked, Eastmont Orchards would be a winner.
If you are going to visit Eastmont Orchards, just be sure to call prior to your arrival for available varieties of what the orchard still has. Also note that their business hours are heavily dependent on the availability of the product and the weather conditions.
There you have it, a few orchards near and far for your apple and pumpkin picking pleasure. Whether you want to stay close to campus or go for a longer ride, there are a ton of places for you to choose from. Happy picking!
