U-pick: where to go Apple picking in Columbus

Orchard season is starting soon, so get ready to go peach picking and apple picking in Columbus! Peach season is in July and August, and 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 for apple picking in Columbus, and the 5 best orchards for peach picking in Columbus. Go multiple times, and you can have a freshly picked peach or apple a day for the next few months!

Apple Picking in Columbus

Since apples are available July through October, you have plenty of time to pick your favorite apple varieties and try some new ones. Go apple picking 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!

Note: the information below was gathered before apple season and may have changed slightly since publishing. Please click the links to find exact current details for apple picking 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.
See website for varieties that are available starting in August.

Sunflower field – tba for 2023. Visiting the flowers is included with a $20 minimum purchase of one peck of apples; $25 for premium apples. If you do not want a lot of apples, put the amount you want in your bag. The bag price is good for one person, a couple of two, or an immediate family. $1 each per additional stem

Fruit Full Acres

18680 Bellville Road, Marysville, OH 43040.

26 varieties of apples typically beginning in August/September. See Facebook page for updates or 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 Apple Hill Orchards 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.

July 29: Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social 11:00am- 2:30 pm! Marion Concert Band and Marion Area Orchestra will be performing with their music in the great outdoors. There will be sandwiches and ice cream available in the pavilion.

September 30: Applefest 10:00 am- 5:00 pm. Hayrides, music, pony rides and more. $5 admission

October 28: Applebutter and Horseradish Day 10 am – 5 pm. We start stirring the copper kettle of applebutter over an open fire around daybreak. The butter is ready for processing by midafternoon. At the same time we grind our horseradish crop (downwind from the butter!). Come take a step back in time and enjoy the tastes and smells of farm life! Schmidt’s food truck will be there.

Harvest Saturdays at Lawrence Orchards: select Saturdays, August 26 – October, 2023. Pick your own apples, music, food trucks, entertainment, and more.

South Apple Orchards

Hirsch Fruit Farm

12846 State Route 772, Chillicothe, OH 45601. Phone: 740-775-7055. Off-farm location is on 41 Seney Rd

Over 21 varieties of apples (limited picking dates), pumpkins. See Hirsch Fruit Farm Facebook page for updates.

Paiges’ Produce/Family farm market

7975 Cincinnati Zanesville Rd., Amanda, Ohio 43102. 740-601-8419. Call to check availability.

Peaches: Typically late July/early August
Apples: Expected August-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/peck, $30/half bushel ($5 more for honeycrisp and evercrisp) – pricing subject to change for 2023. See website or Facebook page for availability. U-pick available Wednesday-Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm. 1 peck purchase minimum per vehicle.

Smiles of Sunflowers at Lynd

August 24, 25, 26 & Sept. 1, 2, 3, 4, 2023. 9851 Morse Rd. SW (across from the market)

Lynd Fruit Farm has it all: Peach Fest, Berries, Sunflowers, Apples, and more

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).

Follow Charlie’s Apples on Facebook for updates.

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 in August-Oct, 3 varieties of pears, cut-your-own flower patches, and pumpkins, and lots of other market goodies. Wagons are provided! U-pick hours are Monday-Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 10-4.

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. There’s an amazing playground with tons of activities, including Farm Ball (think farm-style pop-a-shot!) Weekends often feature activities, donuts, and food vendors.

U-pick is available for peaches on select days (follow on Facebook or the website) and the sunflower field should be in bloom in August.

U-pick apples, flowers, and more at Branstool Orchards

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, or see website.

Peaches expected late July/early August.
Sunflower Fields: tba for 2023
Apples: Beginning mid-August

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 at certain times, and they have apples in the market. Call to check availability or look for website or 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.

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). See Facebook page for picking schedules/varieties.

Fall Season: Saturdays & Sundays, TBA 2022
Farm Yard Pass: Farm Yard Pass is not required to pick apples, pumpkins, or to visit the market & cafe. Adults & Children $12.00, Seniors $5.00, 2 & under free, Season Pass: $20.00
Includes: Animal Barn, Jumping Pillow, Pedal Cart Track, Zip Line, Tractor Swings, Hay & Corn barn, Hill Slide, Diggers, Tire Climb, Wagon Ride, & Moo Moo Express.

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

Peach picking in Columbus

Peaches are typically available in July and August. Crop is subject to weather and insect issues. Cling and semi-cling peaches are usually earlier in the season, with freestone peaches ripening later.