Where to Pick Your Own Produce
Ah, autumn. Relief from heat waves, falling leaves—and delicious seasonal produce.
Apples, winter squash, sweet potatoes and pumpkins are just some of the goodies ready to harvest in the coming months, but why let the farmers do the work? When temperatures start to drop, many families hit the farm to get their hands on fresh fruits and veggies. And since corn mazes, moon bounces, hayrides and face painting have become standard, there’s plenty to keep you busy in between picking. Here are six pick-your-own establishments to visit this fall.
Active Acres Farm
The only produce you can hand-pick at this farm is pumpkin, but at $5 for a hayride to the patch and the pumpkin itself, it’s the best deal around. Make a day of it and try out at Active Acres’ unconventionally fun activities, like shooting corn from a cannon or watching a duck race.
What you can pick: Pumpkins
When: Every weekend from October 2 through 31, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 881 Highland Road, Newtown
Extras: Corn cannon, duck races, flower patch, corn maze, haunted house
Hellerick’s Family Farm
Pumpkins are the PYO standard at this family farm, but you can also hand-select vibrant zinnias from their flower garden for $3.50 a dozen. Okay, they’re not really produce, but they’ll sure liven up your kitchen. Want to keep the kids busy while you peruse? Send them off into Hellerick’s five-acre corn maze. By the farmers’ estimate, you won’t see them for another hour or so.
What you can pick: Pumpkins, flowers
When: September 28 through October 31, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 5500 North Easton Road, Doylestown
Extras: Potato sling shot, pumpkin rolling, hayrides, corn maze
Shady Brook Farms
Pick all the fruit you need at Shady Brook; raspberries, blackberries and peaches are now in season, with apples and pumpkins coming soon. Their farm market also features organic meats, hormone-free and raw milk, and locally-made Rose Bank Wines.
What you can pick: Pumpkins, raspberries, peaches, blackberries, apples
When: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 931 Stony Hill Road, Newtown
Extras: A farm market featuring locally made wine, plus haunted houses and hayrides at Halloween
Snipes Farm and Education Center
Snipes’ pumpkins will be up for grabs throughout the fall. Since it doubles as an education center, the farm also holds tours for a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable farming. It’s most distinguishing feature, however, is its full-size golf course, complemented by two mini courses and a driving range.
What you can pick: Pumpkins, apples
When: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 890 West Bridge Street, Morrisville
Extras: An 18-hole course, two mini courses, and driving range
Highland Orchards
With about 18 apple varieties on their menu, there’s sure to be something delicious hanging from every Highland tree this fall. But each type only spends about two weeks on the branches, so the farmers advise you to get out there by mid-October for the best selection.
What you can pick: Pears, apples, pumpkins
When: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 1000 Marshallton-Thorndale Road, West Chester
Extras: Fall Apple Festival, starting September 18 and continuing every weekend through the fall
Linvilla Orchards
You can read all about this sprawling farm in our August issue, but for your PYO purposes, here’s some of the goodies awaiting you this season: apples, eggplant, nectarines, peaches, peppers … the list could go on. With a huge selection of produce available, this farm is a great one-stop shop. And with a swimming pool, fishing pond, and tons of festivals, you could very well make a day of it.
What you can pick: Apples, grapes, nectarines, pears, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, peaches, raspberries, strawberries
When: Sunday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: 137 West Knowlton Road, Media
Extras: Swim club, playground, lots of festivals and themed hayrides, fishing pond
