Branstool Orchards is one of our favorite u-pick orchards to visit in Central Ohio. We always pick peaches and apples (sometimes twice) each year, and they have so many offerings from Summer through Fall.
Located in Utica, Branstool Orchards is about 40 minutes from Columbus, and it’s worth the drive! (Trust me….there’s a nearby ice cream stop that you can’t miss below). You can definitely make day trip out of it.
The orchard is home to 40+ varieties of apples, 20+ varieties of peaches, pears, flowers, sunflower field, and pumpkins. There’s a extensive playground for the kids to enjoy, and a huge farm market once produce is ready for the season.
The grounds are beautiful, so enjoy the scenery while you’re there. Events are held throughout the season, and often have food vendors on-site during weekends and events.
U-pick at Branstool Orchards
Crop availability is always subject to weather, pests, and crowds.
Peaches at Branstool
Over 24 acres of peach trees and over 20 different varieties!
Opening Day is July 15, 2022! Cling peaches should start to ripen first and will be available in the market. Once the freestone peaches are ready in late July, Pick Your Own will open to the public.
Sunflowers at Branstool Orchards
Sunflower Field ppens to public on Saturday, July 23 if the weather cooperates. The field is expected to be available through August 7. Check website for details as they are announced.
Apples at Branstool
They grow a huge variety of apples, so plan to visit different times of the year to enjoy the varieties. You won’t find rows of fruit trees overcrowded with people, and long lines of cars when you pick here. Apples start late July – late October/early November.
I like to pick early varieties to enjoy in August/September, and then we ALWAYS go back for Goldrush apples at the end of the season. These will last in your fridge or cool area for months!
Sunflowers, Zinnias, Apple Cider, Pumpkins, and more
Late Summer through fall brings lots of fun at Branstool, including a sunflower field, other flower u-pick, pumpkin patch and harvest decorations, and so much more.
Sunflowers are expected to bloom later in August into mid-September of 2021. There will be smaller patches of flowers near the market for Cut Your Own before and after the bigger fields, but these are for cutting only and not photo sessions.
Other Orchard Fun
After we finish u-pick and visit the market, we take some time for the photo ops around the farm, including the beautiful lake, seasonal decorations, and more. The kids LOVE the playground, so we count of spending some time there (and count on them getting dirty too!). This photo below is only a portion of the play area!
Velvet Ice Cream Factory
If you’re driving you Branstool Orchards, you MUST stop at Velvet Ice Cream Factory just a few miles away. Ye Olde Mill opens for the season in May. See our write-up about visiting Velvet Ice Cream Factory and Ye Olde Mill.
Velvet Ice Cream Factory Ye Olde Mill and Sertoma Ice Cream Festival
Branstool Orchards
5895 Johnstown Utica Rd
Utica, Ohio, OH 43080
(740) 892-3989
website | Facebook
Past events at Branstool
Professional Photography for Peach and Apple Blooms
See details for professional photography policy, application procedure, and fee schedule.
Peach blooms should be ready for photography (unless there is a freeze out) about April 10-25.
Apple blooms should be ready for photography (unless there is a freeze out) about April 25-May 10.
Dates are approximate. Check website or Facebook for updates.
Pick your own flowers available tba 2022
Pick your own peaches typically starts in late July. U-Pick peaches should be offered on most days until mid-September.
TBA: Peach Party Enjoy all things PEACHES 10am – 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, August 7 and 8. Enter the Peach Pie Baking Contest on Saturday – drop your pie off between 9am and 6pm for a chance to win $50 cash and bragging rights! Enjoy fresh peach pie by the slice. Fresh peach donuts. Peach Slushies. Fun for the kids and adults alike! Details on website and Facebook.
Vintage Market at Branstool Orchards
TBA for 2022
This is a first for Branstool Orchards, and it looks like it will be awesome! The Vintage Market will feature quality vintage dealers, woodworkers, upcycled creators, and cottage food artisans. Come enjoy Mai Chau Vietnamese food truck, the Drank Tank (Peach Mimosas, Three Tigers Brewery Beer, kombucha, nitro coffee and more, and live entertainment. Branstool Orchards cider slushies, donuts, salsas and apple butters, and freshly-cut Peach Blossoms will also be available.
There is no admission or parking fees. Social distancing and masks will be required.
The peach trees will be in bloom and wagon rides out to see them will be offered every half hour for $5 OR walk out to see them for free. The market and the field will be available to the public from 10am – 3pm only on April 10 and 11 ONLY.
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