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.
Events at Branstool Orchards
Sample Sunday
Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 11:00 AM 3:00 PM
Join us at the market to sample products from Branstool Orchards and several of our vendors.
Applepalooza
September 23-24, 2023 from 10:00 AM 4:00 PM
Join us to celebrate all things APPLE!
Squash Celebration
Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 11:00 AM 3:00 PM
Join us at the market to talk SQUASH! Let’s discuss the varieties and how to cook and serve them!
Sample Sunday
Sunday, October 8, 2023 from 11:00 AM 3:00 PM
Join us outside of the market to sample products from some of our valued vendors.
Pups, Pints, & Pumpkins
Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 11:00 AM 3:00 PM
Bring your dog to the orchard to help us celebrate fall on the farm with pumpkins, pups, and pints! Small bar with all proceeds going to charity.
Have questions about any of our events? Please call us at 740892-3989 or email branstoolorchards@gmail.com
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!
Unfortunately most of the peach crop was lost due to weather this winter, but they will have peaches available for purchase from other markets.
Check back early-mid August for u-pick crop availability with later peach varieties.
Sunflowers at Branstool Orchards
Sunflower Field is tba for 2023 – usually ready in late July. 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.
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.
Jitterbug Cafe & Parlor
Another great stop just down the road from Branstool Orchards is Jitterbug Café! This is one of my favorite coffee shops, and it always worth the stop if you are in the area. (Open Tuesday-Saturday until 3 pm).
In addition to brunch and breakfast, they offer a wide-assortment of pastries, beverages and gluten-free goodies. The menu and décor are 1920’s era speakeasy themed for a fun experience. Facebook | website
Velvet Ice Cream Factory Ye Olde Mill National Ice Cream Day, Dog Days, and more
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.
Market Opening Day
Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The farm market will open for the 2023 season on Saturday, July 8 at 9am. There will be a BBQ food truck, plus peach and apple cider donuts! Peaches from other markets will be available for purchase.
Look forward to:
- Later u-pick peach crop (early/mid August)
- Amazing apple crop
- Larger cut-your-own flower area
- Traditional sunflower field (approx Aug 10)
- New mini sunflowers
It’s a Big Dill Pickle Party
Sunday, July 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Join us and The Crazy Cucumber for a celebration of all things dill pickle! Foods, drinks, pickles, pickle slushies, and dozens of other pickle flavored items. See website for more details.
Peach Party
Sat, Aug 12, 2023 – Sun, Aug 13, 2023
The normal time frame for peaches is mid-July to mid-September but they lost most of the crop to bitter cold December temperatures and driving winds.
They predict our only variety that made it completely through the cold snap will be Contender and those should be ready about August 12. We are planning lots of fun to celebrate the peaches that did persevere through the cold!
Pollinator Celebration
Sunday, August 27, 2023, 11:00 AM 3:00 PM
Join us at the market to learn about bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and the vital role they play in food production. There will be an observation bee hive, honey samples, photo opps and more!
Branstool Orchards
5895 Johnstown Utica Rd
Utica, OH 43080
(740) 892-3989
Leave a Reply