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A guide to Connecticut's Apple Orchards for 2022

Posted by Bob DiSapio on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 1:36 AM By Bob DiSapio / September 12, 2022 Comment

A 2022 guide to Connecticut's apple orchards

Apple picking season has begun in Connecticut, and orchards and farms across the state have opened their doors for the fall season. However, this year's crop looks and tastes a little different due to the effects of the summer drought. Here's a guide to visiting the state's orchards this fall.

CT APPLE ORCHARDS

Averill Farm

Alyson Bowman / Hearst Connecticut Media
Averill Farm is a tenth-generation legacy around since 1746. It is open seasonally, from Aug. 15 to Dec. 24 offering a variety of fruits and fall activities like apple, pear and pumpkin picking. The farm also sells its own cider, apple cider donuts, cut flowers and old-fashioned homemade jams and jellies.
2022 season: Masks are strongly encouraged and pickers must maintain a distance between each other. In order to minimize interactions, participants will purchase and use bags provided by the farm. During its season, it is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

250 Calhoun St, Washington Depot

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Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard

Vic Eng / Hearst CT Media
Beardsley's has been operating in Shelton since 1849. It was originally a dairy farm until a school bus lost its brakes and crashed into the barn in 1973, burning it to the ground. The orchard has since been revived and houses 10,000 apple trees.
2022 season: Pick-Your-Own Apples must be paid for with cash (there is an ATM on-site) and is on weekends only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Pick-Your-Own season begins on Sept. 10. The cider mill also offers cider donuts.

278 Leavenworth Rd, Shelton

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Belltown Hill Orchards

The Belltown Hill Orchard was founded in 1904 by the Preli family and has been passed down from one generation to the next keeping it in the family today.
2022 season: Apple picking begins in mid-August and is available into late November, depending on the type of apple. Pumpkin picking is available September through late October, depending on the season, according to the farm.

483 Matson Hill Rd, South Glastonbury

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Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery

Nicole Funaro / Hearst Connecticut Media Group
This orchard has been around since 1871. Today it is also home to a farm market and winery. Apples, pumpkins, pears and raspberries are available for picking between late August and late October this year. Its farm market's bakery has sweet cider donuts as well.
2022 season: Open for apple picking in Guilford from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily starting from Sept. 2. The farm recommends calling ahead of time in case of changed hours due to weather.

1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford

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Blue Hills Orchard

This sixth-generation farm has been operated by the Henry family since 1904. It is 300 acres of fresh fruit and lush farmland.
2022 season: The Pick-Your-Own season began on Aug. 15 and is available on Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. Picking containers will be provided by the orchard, and picnicking is not allowed on the grounds.

141 Blue Hills Rd, Wallingford

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Blue Jay Orchards

Todd Tracy / The News-Times
A staple in the Bethel community, Blue Jay Orchards is open for picking Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Its "famous" apple cider donuts and its cider are the best-selling items in its farm market.
2022 season: Visitors must use bags from the orchard. They are only allowed to pick in designated areas where fruits are ripe enough.

125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel

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Buell's Orchard

The 1889 farm is still thriving four generations later. Apple picking began on Sept. 5, and is open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
2022 season: Open for apple and pumpkin picking every day until at latest late October.

108 Crystal Pond Rd, Eastford

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Burdick Road Orchard

Burdick's has been around since 1730 and was originally part of one of the founding farms of New Hartford. It offers apple picking, handcrafts and baked goods.
2022 season: The farm will offer limited apple picking from around Sept. 18 through Nov. 10. It is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to dusk.

250 Town Hill Rd, New Hartford

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Defazio Orchard

Defazio's has officially opened its corn maze and apple picking grounds for the fall.
2022 season: Apple picking and a corn maze are available for the fall, and the orchard also sells mums and corn stalks. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1393 North Road, Dayville

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Dondero Orchards

Glastonbury's Dondero Orchards is over a century old. It brings local residents, baked goods, fresh fruit to pick and craft fairs.
2022 season: The apple picking season begins in July and ends in October. The orchard is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (excluding Tuesdays.)

529 Woodland St, South Glastonbury

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Drazen Orchards

Drazen Orchards traces its history back to the 1800s when it was not only an orchard, but a wood mill as well. The orchard offers a variety of fruit to pick from annually.
2022 season: Picnic tables are open. Apple picking is open mid-August through mid-October, but calling ahead of time to confirm is encouraged.

251 Wallingford Rd, Cheshire

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Easy Pickin's Orchard

Catherine Avalone / Hearst Connecticut Media
Easy Pickin's Orchard has blossomed into fields of apples since its small beginning with 25 apple trees.
2022 season: Apple picking is available from early September to late October. Participants must social distance both at the stand and in the fields.

4805, 46 Bailey Rd, Enfield

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Hickory Hill Orchard

It's not every day you hear of a doctor turned farmer, but Doctor Fred Kudish is one who made Hickory Hill Orchard what it is today. The orchard has been in the family for over 40 years and produces over 20 varieties of apples available to pick.
2022 season: The farm will only be offering Pick-Your-Own on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting from Sept 10.

351 S Meriden Rd, Cheshire

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High Hill Orchard

High Hill is open for the 2022 apple picking season until Nov. 28. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays.
2022 season: Open for apple picking every day except Monday from Sept. 2 through Nov. 28.

170 Fleming Rd, Meriden

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Holmberg Orchards

Holmberg Orchards is a fourth-generation orchard being run by a family unit. The orchard is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Mondays. Apple cider donuts are served hot and fresh on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the fall.
2022 season: The apple picking season will begin on Sept. 10. All those entering the fields, except those shorter than 36 inches, must pre-purchase at least one container prior to entry.

12 Orchard Ln, Gales Ferry

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Horse Listener's Orchard

H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Horse Listener's Orchard is 153 acres full of berries waiting to be picked. The orchard is open for apple picking starting late-September and host special events and train rides during the fall.
2022 season: The farm is open for apple picking this fall with different apple varieties available for picking from late-September through the end of October.

317 Bebbington Rd, Ashford

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Irish Bend Orchard

Irish Bend is a fourth-generation orchard growing vegetables and fruit.
2022 season: Apple picking is available approximately September through October. The farm is open from Friday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

90 Pioneer Heights, Somers

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Johnny Appleseed's Farm

The Johnny Appleseed Farm was built in 1977. The 60-acre land features dwarf apple trees with 14 different varieties.
2022 season: Apple picking typically begins in early August and runs through late October; pumpkin picking is available from late September through October. Patrons are encouraged to call ahead of time for picking times and locations.

185 West Road (RT 83), Ellington

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Karabin Farms

Karabin Farms is offering apple picking this season with over 15 varieties of apples.
2022 season: Apple picking started Sept. 3. The farm has seen reduced crops this year due to the drought.

894 Andrews St, Southington

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Lapsley Orchards

Lapsley Orchard has 20 acres with 24 different kinds of apples growing on it. Apple picking is available from Sept. 1 and pumpkin picking will be available Oct. 1.
2022 season: Apple picking is available every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

403 Orchard Hill Rd, Pomfret Center

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Lyman Orchards Farm

Catherine Avalone / Hearst Connecticut Media
Lyman Orchards is over two centuries old and is still open to give locals fresh produce. Visitors can also find apple cider donuts, prepared meals, deli sandwiches and other freshly baked goods.
2022 season: Apple picking is in season from mid-August through mid-November and pumpkin picking is in season from late September to late October.

32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield

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March Farms

Alyson Bowman / Hearst Connecticut Media
March Farms has been standing since 1915. It has transformed to grow fruits since it's early roots. The farm also won Hearst Connecticut's "best cider donut" reader poll in 2020.
2022 season: Apple picking and pumpkin picking is available for the fall from September through October.

160 Munger Ln, Bethlehem

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Rogers Orchards - Shuttle Meadow Farm Store

Photo by Frank Whitman
Rogers Orchards planted its first apple trees in 1809 — the same year Abraham Lincoln was born. Fast forward a century and now the orchard is eight generations strong. The orchard is home to over 20 varieties of apples, among other fruits. It also makes cider donuts, fruit pies, apple sour cream coffee cake and apple dumplings.
2022 season: Apple picking is available early September through late October. The farm provides bags for guests to fill up.

336 Long Bottom Rd, Southington

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Rose Orchards

Catherine Avalone / New Haven Register
Rose Orchards has been passed on through the years, making today's owners the twelfth generation.
2022 season: Apple picking will open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily starting the weekend of Sept. 23, the farm tells Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Pickers must use the orchard's containers.

33 Branford Rd, North Branford

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Scott's Yankee Farmer

Scott's is open for apple and pumpkin picking daily this season. On weekdays it is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2022 season: Apple picking is open daily starting Sept. 3 and ending Oct 30. Reservations are recommended for weekend activities.

33 Branford Rd, North Branford

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Scotts' Connecticut Valley Orchards

Scotts' Connecticut Valley Orchards has been around since the late 1800s. The orchard grows an assortment of fruit, including a variety of apples. Apple picking is available Monday through Saturday this year from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
2022 season: Apple picking is open from late August through October, but calling ahead is recommended.

274 Kelsey Hill Rd, Deep River

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Silverman's Farm

Ned Gerard / CT Post
Silverman's Farm began booming with apple trees during the roaring 1920s. The farm grows all types of fruits and vegetables. It also makes donuts with its own fresh apple cider. Apple picking opened on Aug. 27 this season.
2022 season: The orchard has a variety of apples including Pink Ladies, Ginger Golds and Mutsu Crispins.

451 Sport Hill Rd, Easton

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Woodstock Orchards

Woodstock Orchards was established in 1958 by a Guilford farmer who grew up on Bishop's Orchard. Over the course of time Woodstock Orchard grew to be a farm store, picking orchard and bakery all rolled into one.
2022 season: Apple picking is open this season Labor Day through mid-October. It also offers sweet cider donuts from its farm market's bakery.

494 CT-169, Woodstock

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Wright's Orchard

Wright's Orchard started with 250 semi-dwarf apple trees and today houses over 2,000.
2022 season: Apple picking has opened for the season, however, the farm said it is unsure how long the season will last due to the drought.

271 S River Rd, Tolland

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