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Apple A Day: Pick Your Own Orchards Near Baltimore

By Amanda Rodriguez

Fall may mean the kids are headed back to school for another year of learning and the leaves are beginning to change colors, but it doesn't mean the end of the Maryland growing season!

Pumpkins are first on most people's minds as we get ready to deck out our homes for the spooky holiday, but before you prep for ghosts and goblins consider taking a trip to a local orchard for some apple picking!

While you're not going to spot an apple tree growing in the middle of Baltimore City, numerous varieties of the tasty red (and green) fruit can be found in the surrounding region.  Less than an hour's drive and you can be surrounded by beautiful, apple-filled trees!

Most varieties come into season between September and October so plan to visit one of these area growers soon and you'll have your barrel full when your kids want to go bobbing for apples!

Milburn Orchards

1495 Appleton Road
Elkton, Md. 21921
(410) 398-1349
Hours: Wed - 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Weekends- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hours and picking schedule varies by season. Call ahead.
Price: pay for what you pick
http://www.milburnorchards.com/

Milburn Orchard is a long running, family-owned farm in Cecil County, Md.  The farm, located within an hour's drive from Baltimore City, grows various fruits and vegetables during the year in addition to a variety of different apples.  The farm hosts events every weekend during picking season which begins on Labor Day and runs through the end of October.  Enjoy a fun wagon trip out to the orchard and pick to your heart's content!

Catoctin Mountain Apple Orchard
Photo Credit: Amanda Rodriguez

Catoctin Mountain Orchard

15036 North Franklineville Road
Thurmont, Md. 21788
(301) 271-2737
Hours: Daily- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: pay for what you pick

Reviews, Directions & More Info

The Catoctin Mountain Orchard is located in the mountain region of Frederick County.  The farm, known for its commitment to energy-saving growing, is more than 80 percent orchard allowing them to offer a great variety of apples in their pick-your-own orchards.  Their on-site bakery offers visitors freshly baked goods made from their fruits.  Little more than an hour from Baltimore City, you can make a day of your trip by visiting the nearby Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo and Cunningham Falls State Park for swimming, fishing, hiking and a wonderful tire park that is sure to delight children of all ages!

Larriland Farm

2415 Woodbine Road
Woodbine, Md. 21797
(410) 442-2605
Hours: Mon- closed; Tues- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wed to Fri - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Weekends: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: pay for what you pick at each field
Reviews, Directions & More Info

Located less than 30 minutes from Baltimore, this pick-your-own farm offers over 15 varieties of apples!  And if you hurry you'll still be able to hit the tail end of peach picking season.  The farm is situated in a beautiful area of Howard County where they host a number of special events during the fall picking season.  Also, take a minute to stop in and pay a visit to the residents of the DaysEndFarmHorseRescue located just down the street.  The farm serves as a safe haven for neglected and abused farm horses and offers daily tours of the farm and meet and greets with the horses.

Beechwood Orchards

984 Carlisle Road
Biglerville, Pa. 17307
(717) 677-6536
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: pay for what you pick

Beechwood Orchards, a family-owned and operated farm in Adams County, Pa. is the perfect place for an apple picking getaway!  Less than two hours away from Baltimore in Pennsylvania--the fourth largest producer of apples in the United States--it's a great place to go to experience the apple picking tradition and lifestyle.  Plan to go during one of the first two weekends of October to also enjoy the National Apple Harvest Festival.  The festival, which has attracted thousands of visitors each year since it began over 46 years ago, offers an action packed day of apple scented fun.  Enjoy vendors, family activities, live music, antique cars and plenty of apple related food and fun.  Not able to make it during the festival?  Go anyway and stop into the National Apple Museum after picking to learn more about the history of the apple industry.

Spending the day apple picking may work up your appetite. Read review of Woodberry Kitchen Baltimore's only farm-to-table restaurant.

Amanda Rodriguez is a professional photographer and humor-parenting blogger.  You can find her humorous stories of life with her three dudes on her site parentingBYdummies. 

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