U-pick farms: Best places to pick apples in Columbus

Apple season is coming up! Apple season typically runs from July to early November, wrapping up with my favorite variety, Goldrush! I’ve gathered a list of the 12 best places to pick apples in Columbus, and the 5 best orchards to pick peaches in Columbus, so you can have a freshly picked apple a day for the next few months!

Since apples are available through October, you have plenty of time to pick your favorite apple varieties and try some new ones. Go back at different times this fall and see what new varieties you can try.

Whether you prefer sweet, tangy, or sour apples for eating or cooking, there are so many varieties to choose from. If you hope to store some for the winter, ask which options are best for storing!

Before you head to an orchard to pick apples, make sure to verify u-pick times and availability, or confirm on their Facebook page.

Don’t forget your camera for great photo ops!

Picking Apples in Columbus

Note: the information below was gathered at the beginning of apple season and may have changed slightly since publishing. Please click the links to find exact current details for u-pick availability, schedule, prices, and such.

North Apple Orchards

CherryHawk Farm

16220 Springdale Road, Marysville, OH 43040. Phone: 937-642-6442
12 varieties of Apples, starting in August. See Facebook page for updates. Hours are 11 am to 7 pm.
Apples are $20 for 10 lbs/one peck, additional bags same size $10. Check Facebook page for varieties that are currently available.
Sunflower field is over for 2020. Visiting the flowers is included with a $20 minimum purchase of one peck of apples. If you do not want a lot of apples, put the amount you want in your bag. The $20 bag price is good for one person, a couple of two, or an immediate family.

Fruit Full Acres

18680 Bellville Road, Marysville, OH 43040.
26 varieties of apples beginning in August/September. See Facebook page for updates (it appears that it’s not updated often; email fruitfullacres@yahoo.com). Call 937-642-6961 to listen to the message about what apples are currently available.

Apple Hill Orchards

2 locations!
1175 Lexington-Ontario Road, Mansfield, Ohio 44903 (419) 884-1500
16780 Fredericktown-Amity Road, Fredericktown, Ohio 43210, 740-694-7688

30 varieties of apples (starting in early July, with u-pick starting in August), 8 varieties of peaches (August), plus pears (September), plums (September), cherries (July), and pumpkins (October), Christmas trees (December). And people RAVE about the donuts. If you’re driving through the area, they even have a drive-thru for espresso drinks, coffee, and apple donuts! Note: Not all apple varieties will be available for u-pick, depending on crop availability. Follow on Facebook for updates and special events, such as pony rides.

Lawrence Orchards

2634 Smeltzer Road, Marion, OH 43302. Phone: 740-389-3019.
15 varieties of Apples, peaches, wildflowers, pumpkins, Christmas trees. Integrated pest management system for lower chemical use. Not everything will be available for u-pick, depending on crop availability. Open from 10-5 Monday – Saturday. See Facebook page for updates.

Harvest Saturdays at Lawrence Orchards

September 5, 12, and 19: 11 am – 2 pm Food trucks, pick-your-own apples, Story Stroll
September 26 and October 3: Apple Days from 10am – 5pm. Event has been adapted from Apple Fest for safety in 2020. Enjoy an old-fashioned day at the orchard. Food trucks, kettle corn, apple pie slices, caramel apples, paint your pumpkins, story stroll, apple picking, pumpkin guess, and orchard scavenger hunt. Admission is free due to reduced activities.
October 10, 17, 24: 11 am – 2 pm Food trucks, pick-your-own apples, Story Stroll
October 31: 10 am – 6 pm. Schmidt’s Sausage Truck, Applebutter stir, horseradish grind, pick-your-own apples, Story Stroll

South Apple Orchards

Hann Farms

4600 Lockbourne Rd, Columbus, OH 43207, 614-491-0812.
9 varieties of apples, check u-pick availability beginning in July; call for hours and availability. Also offer U-pick peppers and tomatoes, and other produce during the grown season.

Hirsch Fruit Farm

12846 State Route 772, Chillicothe, OH 45601. Phone: 740-775-7055
Over 21 varieties of apples (limited picking dates), pumpkins.

Paiges’ Produce/Family farm market

7975 Cincinnati Zanesville Rd., Amanda, Ohio 43102. 740-601-8419. Call to check availability.
Peaches: Early pre-picked peaches are ready now. They may offer u-pick peaches later in the season when there is more availability.
Apples: Expected July-October – select u-pick dates. Check Facebook for details.

East Apple Orchards

Lynd Fruit Farm: 9091 Morse Road SW, Pataskala, OH 43062. Phone: (740)927-7113
20+ varieties of apples beginning September, pumpkins (October), asian pears (early October). U-pick and already picked, farm market, concessions, etc. U-pick apples are $20/ small bag, $30/ large bag ($5 more for honeycrisp). See website or Facebook page for availability.

In September, the u-pick orchard will open 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. during the week, not weekends. TUESDAYS will kick off the picking day for each variety. See picking schedule.
S’MILES OF SUNFLOWERS FESTIVAL – Enjoy 10 acres of Sunflowers in August at The Patch on 37 (3131 Johnstown-Alexandria Rd. NW, Alexandria, OH). July 31 – August 30. Admission is $10-$15 for ages 3 and up.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER SESSIONS –Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Photographers may reserve evenings with the Sunflower Coordinator. Price is $150/hour or $300 for the entire 3 hour block. Reservation Required.

Charlie’s Apples at Windy Hill Apple Farm

1740 Sportsman Club Road, Newark, OH 43055. Phone: 740-587-3632
CERTIFIED ORGANIC!! Several varieties of late September and October apples. Uses natural growing practices, apples, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises). No upick for 2020, but you can order to pick up at the orchard or at select farmer’s markets.

Branstool Orchards

5895 Johnstown Utica Rd, Utica, Ohio, OH 43080 (740) 892-3989
37 varieties of apples, 26 varieties of peaches (mid/late-July), 3 varieties of pears, and pumpkins. Wagons are provided! This is one of my favorite orchards to visit and it’s never too busy. Plus the peaches and apples are amazing! The grounds are beautiful, so enjoy the scenery while you’re there.

Masks are required in market, but not during u-pick as long as you can keep your distance from others. U-pick is available for peaches on select days (follow on Facebook) and the sunflower field should be in bloom until 8/23. U-pick apples are $16 a Peck and $30 a half bushel.

Legend Hills Orchard

11335 Reynolds Rd, Utica, Ohio (740) 892-3090.
24 varieties of apples starting in July, and 7 variety of peaches will be available from late July-late August. Check availability daily by Facebook, hours are Mon-Sat 9 am -5:30 pm, Sunday 10 am -5 pm.

Check Facebook or call to see which varieties are available.

Doran’s Farm Market

5462 Babbitt Rd., New Albany, 614-855-3885
No u-pick apples, but they do have some u-pick vegetables and pumpkins, and they have apples in the market. Call to check availability or look for Facebook updates. Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Thurs and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri- Sun.

Heartland Orchard

13029 Laurel Hill Rd, Thornville, Ohio, (740) 787-1353
No u-pick, but they offer 26 varieties of Apples, Pears and 14 varieties of Peaches, plus plums and cut-your-own Christmas tree. Check Facebook for availability. Pears and plums are not available this year, and peaches will be limited due to frost damage. NOTE: until further notice, they are selling fruit by appointment only to ensure availability. Call to get put in line.

West Apple Orchards

The Orchard & Co

7255 US HWY 42 North, Plain City. 614-873-0510
11 varieties of apples beginning in late August, plus u-pick pumpkins, food, and more. Honeycrisp: $25 peck (10# bag) and $35 1/2 Bushel (20# bag), All other varieties: $15 peck (10# bag) and $25 1/2 Bushel (20# bag) (pricing is 2019, tba for 2020). See Facebook page for picking schedules/varieties.

Picking Peaches in Columbus

Peaches are typically available in July and August. Note: many early peaches didn’t survive the late freezes in 2020.

North Peach Orchards

Apple Hill Orchards: 1175 Lexington-Ontario Road, Mansfield, Ohio 44903 (419) 884-1500
16780 Fredericktown-Amity Road, Fredericktown, Ohio 43210, 740-694-768888

30 varieties of apples (starting in early July), 8 varieties of peaches (August), plus pears (September), plums (September), cherries (July), and pumpkins (October). Not everything will be available for u-pick, depending on crop availability. Pick your own peaches aren’t available for 2020 (buy them at the market), but pick your own apples has begun for select varieties in August!
Follow on Facebook for updates.

Lawrence Orchards: 2634 Smeltzer Road, Marion, OH 43302. Phone: 740-389-3019.
15 varieties of apples, peaches, pumpkins, Christmas trees. Integrated pest management system for lower chemical use. Not everything will be available for u-pick, depending on crop availability. See Facebook page for updates.

South Peach Orchards

Paiges’ Produce/Family farm market, 7975 Cincinnati Zanesville Rd., Amanda, Ohio 43102. 740-601-8419. Call to check availability.
Peaches: Early pre-picked peaches are ready now. Select u-pick days available. Check Facebook or contact the farm.
Apples: Expected July-October

East Peach Orchards

Branstool Orchards, 5895 Johnstown Utica Rd, Utica, Ohio, OH 43080 (740) 892-3989
Typically offering 20+ varieties of peaches starting in mid/late July, 37 varieties of apples, 3 varieties of pears, and pumpkins, and lots of other market goodies. Wagons are provided! This is one of my favorite orchards to visit and it’s never too busy. The grounds are beautiful, so enjoy the scenery while you’re there.

Peaches are available in the market now! They will be releasing pick-your-own details soon, but they will offer the 1st hour of the day in the market for seniors or those who may be immune compromised. Masks are required in market, but not during u-pick as long as you can keep your distance from others. U-pick is available for peaches on select days (follow on Facebook) and the sunflower field should be in bloom until 8/23.

You will buy a box to fill at the market (Mon-Thur) or at the orange and green u-pick building (Fri-Sun).

Half Peck Box = $15 (easily holds more than 5 pounds)
Peck Box = $25 (easily holds more than 10 pounds)

Legend Hills Orchard, 11335 Reynolds Rd, Utica, Ohio (740) 892-3090.
24 varieties of apples starting in late June, and 7 variety of peaches will be available from late July-late August. Check availability daily by Facebook, hours are Mon-Sat 9-5, Sunday 12-5. Peaches are available to pick – call or look for Facebook updates before you go!

Heartland Orchard, 13029 Laurel Hill Rd, Thornville, Ohio, (740) 787-1353
No u-pick, but they offer 14 varieties of Peaches and 26 varieties of Apples, plus plums and cut-your-own Christmas tree. Check Facebook for availability. Peach crop was damaged with frost, but some peaches may be available at the end of July. NOTE: they are selling fruit by appointment only to ensure availability. Call to get put in line.

Looking for raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries for next year? Check out this article about places to pick berries around Columbus!

Comments

Val says
June 11, 2020 at 11:55 pm
Apples and peaches usually start in July (usually later in July). We have a list of u-pick berry options. Strawberries are happening now, and other berries will be soon. https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/best-places-to-pick-berries-around-columbus/
Michael Whitlow says
June 11, 2020 at 9:43 pm
Want to know wen fruit is picked?

U-pick: Last chance to pick apples in Columbus