Apple picking: Where to pick a peck in the Capital Region

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)- No matter where people live in the Capital Region, chances are there is an orchard close by. September kicks off apple picking season for many local orchards and NEWS10 has a list of places where people can pick a peck or a half bushel.

Apple availability isn’t the same all season long. Some may be ready for picking in early or mid-September while others won’t be ready until October. The best bet is to check with an orchard before heading out to make sure they have a specific variety.

Many orchards also have special events or activities for families. Check out NEW10’s list by county below.

Albany County

Altamont Orchards Inc.

4110 Becker Road, Altamont
Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Cortland, MacIntosh, and limited supply of Gala
1/2 bushel $22, peck $14
Orchard also has canning peaches and canning tomatoes as well as a store that sells apple cider and cider donuts.

Indian Ladder Farms

342 Altamont Road, Altamont
Monday-Sunday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wide variety of apples available including Gala, Mcintosh, Cortland, Honeycrisp and Empire. Check website for apples available for picking.
Price varies $22-$28 for a 1/2 bushel. Check website for exact pricing.
Pumpkin picking is available in October. They also have a cidery/brewery, store and host special events like Baby Goat Yoga.

Stanton’s Feura Farm

210 Onesquesthaw Creek Road, Feura Bush
Saturday-Sunday 12-6 p.m.
Wide variety of apples including Honeycrisp, Candy Crisp, Mutsu, Cameo, Winesap, Jonagold, Macoun, Fortune, Royal Cortland, and Ruby Mac available throughout the season. Check website for availability.
1/2 bushel $25, two or more 1/2 bushels $22
Beginning the weekend of September 25-26, pumpkins will be available for picking, cider donuts will be available as well. The orchard will also have events including a hay maze, corn maze, straw slide and hay ride to the pumpkin patch.

Columbia County

Golden Harvest Farms

3074 Route 9, Valatie
Monday-Sunday 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Pick your own apples not available this season. Wide variety of apples can be purchased at the farm stand. Call farm for availability and pricing of apples.
Farm also sells cider, honey, free range eggs, local cheeses, squashes, and seasoned apple firewood as well as other items.

Love Apple Farm

1421 New York 9H, Ghent
Monday-Sunday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.)
Honey Crisp ,Gala, and Acey Mac
Kid’s Bag $15, basket $20, family bag $35
The farm also has a store, bakery, cafe, petting zoo and playground.

Philip Orchards

270 NY-9H, Claverack
Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (By appointment only Tuesday/Thursday. See website for more information)
Wide variety of apples available including Gala, Macoun, Honeycrisp and Greening. Check website for availability.
1 bag = 1/2 bushel, 1 bag $25, 2 bags $40, 3 bags $50, 4 or more bags $15 per bag
Orchard also sells pears and has a one bag minimum per car policy.

Samascott Orchards

5 Sunset Avenue, Kinderhook
Wednesday-Monday 9 a.m.- 5p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.)
Gingergold, Sanza, Zestar, Gala, Crimson Crisp, Mcintosh, Early Fuji, Jonamac, Pink Luster, Firecracker, Cortland
$5 entry fee per person, $2.50 for seniors, kids ages 9 and under free. Apples $1 per pound.
Orchard also has pears, tomatoes, grapes, pumpkins, winter squash, and banana peppers as well as other vegetables available for picking. Check website for pricing. They have a store at 65 Chatham Street, Kinderhook with a corn maze.

Greene County

Boehm Farm LLC

233 County Route 26, Climax
Monday-Sunday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Wide variety of apples including Honeycrisp, Mcintosh, Red Delicious and Snow Sweet. They also have peaches, plums and pumpkins. The farms website says to call for availability.
Apples $1 per pound, Honecrisps $2 per pound, peaches and plums $2.25 per pound
Farm also sells vegetables from other local farms, pies, jams/jellies, donuts, cookies, and local honey/maple syrup.

Story Farms

4640 NY-32, Catskill
Monday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Farm offers local apples, as well as a wide variety of other vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers, plums, onions, garlic, and peaches. Call farm for pricing.

Montgomery County

Bellinger’s Orchard

685 Argersinger Road, Fultonville
Monday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Wide variety of apples including Cortland, Gala, Honeycrisp, Rubinette, Skizuka, and Ozark Gold. Check website for schedule.
Call for pricing.
Farm also has a hay maze, corn maze, hay rides, group tours by reservation, apple cider, apple cider donuts and other items.

Sand Flats Orchard

371 Martin Road, Fonda
Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Zestar, Sanza, Early Mac, and Gala available.
Orchard pass $5 per person over the age of 5. $5 is put towards the cost of apples purchased. Pick your own apples $1.50 per pound.
Farm also has special events, corn maze and hay rides for an additional cost.

Rensselear County

Lakeview Orchards

56 Apples Way, Melrose
Saturday-Sunday 12-4 p.m. beginning September 18
Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Mac
$15 peck, $25 1/2 bushel, Honeycrisp $20 peck, $40 1/2 bushel, $5 1/2 gallon fresh cider

Borden’s Orchard

2841 Valley Falls Rd, Schaghticoke
Monday-Sunday 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Pristine, Zestar, Paulared, Mcintosh, Gingergold, and Redfree
Price varies by type of apple, check website for prices.
Orchard also offers, baked goods, cider, gift baskets, and other seasonal fruit. Orders can also be placed online for pickup.

Windy Hill Orchard

1297 Brookview Station Road, Castleton
Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. (U-Pick stops one hour before closing)
Acey Mac, Crispin, Empire, Fuji, Gala, and Honeycrisp as well as other varieties.
Apples priced by the pound. Contact orchard for pricing.
Special events on weekend for families. They also have a farm store that sells cider, and cider donuts as well as a winery/cidery.

Saratoga County

Bowman Orchards

147 Sugarhill Rd. Rexford
Monday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. (You-pick closes at 4:30 p.m.)
Currently available Autumn Crisp, Blondee, Cortland, Fuji, Gala, Golden Supreme, Greening, Honeycrisp, Jonamac, Macintosh, Pink Luster, Shamrock
You-pick entrance $3 online, $5 at the gate. Apples: 1/2 peck $9, peck $17, 1/2 bushel $33.
Orchard also has a store as well as corn maze, fruit train, farm animals, pony rides, hayrides and apple cannons for an additional fee. Tickets can be purchased online.

Fo’Castle Farm

166 Kingsley Road, Burnt Hills
Sunday-Monday 8 a.m- 3 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Store only, call for apple availability.
Contact farm for pricing.
Store also sells pies, donuts, pumpkins, gourds, maple syrup and honey as well as other items.

Riverview Orchards

660 Riverview Rd, Rexford
Monday-Sunday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. (you pick)
Jonamac, Cortland, Red Delicious, and Honeycrisp as well as other varities. Check website for availability.
$1.30 per pound or $29 1/2 bushel
Orchard also has a store with gourmet food, a bakery with pies and donuts, as well as cider.

Saratoga Apple

1174 Route 29, Schuylerville
Monday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
William’s Pride, Tydeman’s Red, Blondie, Honeycrisp and other varieties. Check website for availability.
You-pick minimum purchase, $10 per adult includes peck bag (approximately 10 pounds of apples), $7 per child between the ages of 4-12 includes 1/2 peck bag, $20 for two adults or three kids includes 1/2 bushel bag (approximately 20 pounds of apples)
Orchard also has a cidery and tasting room.

Schoharie County

Sharon Orchards

573 Chestnut Street, Sharon Springs
Monday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
More than 20 varieties of apples, contact orchard for availability.
Contact orchard for pricing.
Orchard also sells plums, pears, fresh sweet cider, apple cider donuts made every weekend, jams/jellies, locally made real maple syrup, fall mums, and pumpkins.

Terrace Mountain Orchard

Terrace Mountian Road, Schoharie
Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Gingergold, Mcintosh, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Fuji, and many others. Check the farms website for availability.
Contact farm for pricing.
Farm has a store that sells locally-grown seasonal produce, baked goods, fresh apple cider, and cider donuts.

Washington County

Fairview Orchard

11958 State Route 4, Whitehall
Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Contact farm for apple varieties and pricing.
They also sell cider donuts, homemade apple pies, cider, and other local goods.

Hicks Orchard

18 Hicks Road, Granville
Monday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Mcintosh and Gingergold currently available. Check websire for availability of other apple varities.
You-pick prices peck $14, 1/2 bushel $22.
Check website for special events.