Business & Tech

Where to Go Apple Picking in Maryland

The first day of fall 2012 is Sept. 22. Here's how to enjoy one of fall's favorite activities: Apple picking.

Tomorrow is the first day of fall 2012. Wouldn't it be nice to ring in the new season with a fresh apple pie?

First you need the apples.

To help you out, Patch has put together a guide to nearby apple picking spots. The season is in full swing, and will last until the end of the crop, which is usually around early October. 

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Here are some nearby orchards: 

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Larriland Farm in Woodbine is a 280-acre farm that includes 16 acres of apple orchards. Meet at the red barn on the premises to get buckets for what you pick and you'll be on your way.

The owners of the family-run operation advises planning your apple-picking adventure before October, when the farm gets really crowded.

The time to come is based on which of the 17 types of apples they grow that you want to pick, Lynn Moore, president of Larriland, told Patch.

"Right now, we're running about two weeks early," she said of the crops, because of the mild winter. See the apples and harvest dates in Larriland's online brochure.

"We have an excellent crop this year," added Guy Moore, Lynn's brother and Larriland's vice president. "It's the best crop in quite a while."

Larriland Farm is at 2415 Woodbine Rd. in Woodbine, MD. Apple-picking is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Call 410-442-2605 for picking conditions.

Rock Hill Orchard in Mount Airy uses a sustainable farming approach on its farm, which right now, has a half-dozen apple varieties available for the picking with more on the way, according to the Rock Hill Orchard website

On the weekends, guests can take a free hayride to the orchards.

The Rock Hill Orchard website has a list of which apples are available when, but still recommends calling ahead for availability: 301.831.7427.

Rock Hill Orchard is at 28600 Ridge Road, Mount Airy. The farm is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be sure to call to find out if the apples you want are in season for picking, or available at the market: 301.831.7427.

Baugher's Orchards in Westminster takes apple-pickers out to the orchard in wagons, led by a tractor, on its 200-acre property.

There are dwarf trees where pickers can get their fill, and step ladders if needed on-site. The crop is "the largest" and the orchard is "bustling," according to the website for Baugher's.

After picking, visit the farm's petting zoo with goats, peacocks, lambs, alpacas, a donkey and a llama or swing by the Baugher's restaurant and market on Main Street in Westminster.

Baugher's Orchards is at 1015 Baugher Rd. in Westminster, MD. Apple-picking is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in October. Call Baugher's hotline before coming: 410-857-0111. 

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