As pools are being closed and summer has come to an end, fall weather in Oakville is still quite beautiful. The local apple orchards and farms are gearing up for a great apple picking season. Although spring frost did damage some of the crops this year, there are still plenty of apples and apple picking places to go around.
There are many different Ontario apples grown in the region including Ambrosia, Earligold, Sunrise, Gala, Empire, McIntosh, Spartan and Red Delicious.
When apple picking is mentions, several local farms come to mind including Chudleighs, Andrew’s Scenic Acres, Springridge Farm, Watson Farms and Brooks Farms among others. Chudleighs is located in Halton Hills at 9528 Highway 25 and operates daily from 10a.m. to 5p.m.
They have a market and also designated pick-your-own areas. Plenty of parking is available. Apple types found at Chudleigh’s include Tydeman, Wealthy, Cortland, Spartan, Mutsu, McIntosh, Northern Spy, Red Delicious,Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith. Several apple picking places are kid-friendly, offer tractor rides and even have animal barns and horse rides.
The farms are a great place to have birthday parties or for family or school outings.
Springridge farm in Milton starts the fall operation “Harvest Festival” on weekends from September 22 and operates until October 28 and they are also open 9-5.
Apples are in season in September and October, so head on down to a local farm (or even the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings at the Dorval Crossing town center).
Other apple orchards include the Rural Route Orchard at 10308 Fourth Line in Halton Hills (905)873-7687 open on the weekends from 10-6. This year they are featuring the following apple types: Fuji, Gala, Cortland, Russet, Spy, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Smoothy, Jonared, Braeburn, Snow, Cox Orange, Empire, Tolman Sweet and Idared.
Over in Waterdown at 573 Parkside Drive is Frootogo Orchards with Paulared, Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Gala, Empire, Jonagold, Mutsu, Spencer, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Idared, Fortune and Northern Spy apples.
Willis Fruit Farm had to close this weekend because of the rain, but will reopen next weekend. They are at 6063 5th Line in Milton at the corner of Fifth Line and Britannia. (905) 876-2606. The corn maze is not up this year because of the weather this year, but they also feature historic heritage apples like Cox Orange Pippin and Wealthy in addition to the Macoun, Mutsu, Gingergold and Golden Delicious. Pumpkin season is also around the corner.
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and have an apple, it’s good for you too!
