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 Spring 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.
Pick your own flowers available now.
Pick your own peaches started July 29. U-Pick peaches should be offered on most days until mid-September.
August 7-8: 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.
Peaches at Branstool
Over 24 acres of peach trees and over 20 different varieties!
Opening Day is July 10! Cling peaches should start to ripen and will be available in the market. Once the freestone peaches start later in July, Pick Your Own will open to the public. *Closed Mondays (except Labor Day) this year.
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!
U-Pick is priced by container (these may change for 2021!)
- 1/2 Peck Peach Box = $15 (can hold up to six pounds)
- Peck Peach Box = $25 (can hold up to 12 pounds)
*Please only pick what will fit inside or on top of the box. No carrying extra fruit.
- Peck Apple Bag = $16 (holds at least 10 pounds)
- 1/2 Bushel Apple Bag = $30 (holds at least 20 pounds)
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.
August 14 is Pollinator Day. Reserve your Painted Lady Butterfly to release in the orchard on Saturday, August 14 between 1pm and 3pm. The butterfly release is safe for both the butterflies and our beautiful growing environment. Details here.
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.
Branstool Orchards
5895 Johnstown Utica Rd
Utica, Ohio, OH 43080
(740) 892-3989
website | Facebook
Normal business hours are 9-6 Tuesday through Saturday and 10-5 on Sundays.
Past events at Branstool
Vintage Market at Branstool Orchards
Sat, April 10 – Sun, Apr 11, 2021
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.
Live entertainment for the weekend
Saturday and Sunday 10am – Noon: Barefoot McCoy live music
Saturday 1pm – 3pm: Katty Wompus live music
Sunday 1pm – 3pm: Smokey Row String Band live music 1pm – 3pm
Saturday and Sunday Noon – 1pm: Wood Turning demonstrations by Tanya Becher
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.
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