It’s Apple Picking Time at These Massachusetts Orchards...

It’s the perfect combination…

Cool New England fall air and apple orchards bursting with crisp mouth-watering fruit ripe for picking…

and eating… and cooking.


This week I’ll provide some suggestions in all six regions for you. But today we’ll start with apple picking in Massachusetts. And stay tuned for a special picking tips section at the end.


Berlin Orchards – Berlin

Pick ‘em the way you want at Berlin Orchards from September through end of October. At weekends and holidays you can ride a hay wagon to the orchards.
For more information call (978)-838-2400. 200 Central Street, Route 62, Berlin, MA Exit 26 off Rte. 495 Berlin, MA


Marshall Farm – Fitchburg

Marshall Farm has it’s own trademarked Marshall Macintosh apple. The farm also includes an Animal Fun Park, Corn Maze, and Pumpkin Patch.
From Boston, take Route 2 West to (Exit 32) Route 13 North, go 5 miles to Route 2A West (turn left), turn right at next traffic light and follow signs.


Autumn Hills Orchard – Groton

Autumn Hills won awards recently at Topsfield Fair for a number of their fruits. Orchard is open weekends 10:00am – 5:00pm. Also has pumpkin patch and tractor-pulled hay rides.

495 Chicopee Row, Groton, MA 01450. Phone: 978-448-8388. From Groton Center on Route 119. Heading north take Hollis street (right turn out of Groton Center just after Town Hall) about 3.5 miles. (Hollis changes name to Chicopee Row at the Cemetery, but there's no street sign.) Driveway is on the left after Wilson Way.


Drew Farm – Westford

Drew Farms is a family owned and operated business that specializes in providing a family atmosphere for apple picking--New England style. The orchard is located on a hill that provides spectacular fall foliage viewing.

Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. Take I-495 to exit 32, Boston Road, Westford. Take a right at the end of the off-ramp and an immediate left at the traffic lights intersecting Boston Road and Route 110. Travel approximately 2.5 miles and take left onto Tadmuck Road. The farm is located 1 mile along on the left.


Red Apple Farm – Phillipston

Red Apple Farm has been owned and tended by the Rose family for 4 generations. The farm is located at 1,250 feet above sea level. The Rose family maintains this is why their orchards offer some of the best naturally-colorful, extra-crisp apples in all of New England.

Open daily 9am-6pm (9am-5pm Daylight Savings), mid-July through December 24th. 455 Highland Ave., Phillipston, MA. Phone: 800-628-4851. Route 2 (exit 19), follow signs (2 miles) to farm.


Picking Tips:

> Select firm, bruise-free apples. The color can be anything from dark green, to yellow, pink, orange, bright red, dark red or even a combination. It all depends on the variety. And color is not really how you tell when an apple is ripe.

> Apples ripen from the outside of the tree towards the center, so the apples on the outside of the tree will ripen first.

> Once picked, don't throw the apples into the baskets, place them in gently, or they will bruise and go bad more quickly.

> Don't wash apples until just before using to prevent spoilage.

> Keep apples cool after picking to increase shelf life. A cool basement is ideal, but the fruit/vegetable drawer of a refrigerator will work, too. Kept cool and dry, fresh-picked apples will generally keep weeks, but it DOES depend on the variety. Red and Yellow Delicious apples do not keep well, for example; but Rome, do!

So grab a couple of large bags and head on out to a local orchard. Apples are not just fun to pick but they’re a healthy food choice and full of anti-oxidants.

Many orchards in Massachusetts are located near fall foliage scenic drives which is a great combination this time of year. To discover more about fall foliage scenic drives in Massachusetts click here.

Check back later this week for orchards in other New England regions.

Have a great week.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director,
Vacation Guide to New England