Apple Orchards for U-Pick 2012

The majority of the apple varieties are ready to pick from the beginning of September to the end of October. It’s always good to check what the orchards are picking when you want to go. Overall, this year is not a great year for picking because of the spring and summer weather as I’m sure you have been hearing. However, many orchards still have pick-your-own apples!

There are so many apple orchards that I decided to make a list of just the orchards less than an hour and a half from our area. Some have activities, stores and food and others offer a more calm, farm experience so check out their websites and/or call to find what you are looking for.

I have made notes next to each orchard about when the picking starts if it is available. Please call before you go to check picking conditions. Many places I called could not predict how long the picking would last since this season has been unusual. Here’s a  tip… make sure you ask if you can pick the apples off the tree or if the apples will already be picked and in bins throughout the orchard. Some orchards feel that gives people the same experience since they are walking amongst the trees that grew them. I don’t know about you, but that’s not the same to me at all!

note: all distances are from Western Springs, IL

Apples on Oak: NO U-PICK APPLES THIS YEAR
16146 Oak Avenue
Lockport, IL 60137
(815) 726-0386
map
(22 miles)

Garden Patch Farms & Orchard: Should be able to start the picking season at the end of August
14154 W. 159th Street
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(708) 301-7720
map
(22 miles)

Heinz Orchard: Start picking McIntosh on August 17th, other varieties to follow
1050 Crest Road
Green Oaks, IL 60048
(847) 770-3449
map
(38 miles)

Pine Apple Acres: NO U-PICK APPLES THIS YEAR
41W651 Powers Road
Huntley, IL 60142
(847) 669-3251
map
(45 miles)

Kuipers Family Farm: Picking starts August 25 with picking only on Saturdays and Sundays
1n318 Watson Road
Maple Park, IL 60151
(815) 827-5200
map
(46 miles)

Knutson’s Country Harvest : NO U-PICK APPLES THIS YEAR
13550 Townhouse Road
Newark, IL 60541
(815) 695-5905 or (815) 557-4629
map
(50 miles)

County Line Orchard: Picking starts September 1, not picking from trees
200 S County Line Rd
Hobart, IN 46342
(219) 947-4477
map
(51 miles)

Honey Hill Orchard: Opens for picking the last week in August
11747 Waterman Road
Waterman, IL 60556
(815) 264-3337
map
(52 miles)

All Seasons Orchard: NO U-PICK APPLES THIS YEAR, just apples in bins in the orchard
14510 Illinois Route 176
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-5637
map
(55 miles)

Mowry’s Fruit Farm: The orchard will be opening on September 6, open Thursday-Sunday
2411 E. 109th Avenue
Crown Point, IN 46307
(219) 663-4782
map
(55 miles)

Prairie Sky Orchard: NO U-PICK APPLES THIS YEAR
4914 N Union Road
Union, IL 60180
(815) 923-4834
map
(59 miles)

Jonamac Orchard: Opening for the season on August 22
19412 Shabbona Rd.
Malta, IL 60150
(815) 825-2158
map
(60 miles)

Woodstock Country Orchard: NO U-PICK APPLES THIS YEAR
17015 Garden Valley Road,
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 923-4359
map
(60 miles)

Lang’s Orchard: NO U-PICK APPLES THIS YEAR
17411 Secor Road
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 568-7547
map
(60 miles)

Homestead Orchard: Limited picking available starting August 11, however they have a full harvest of Gala apples coming up
11802 Charles Road
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815)338-7443
map
(61 miles)

More Than Delicious Orchard: NO U-PICK APPLES THIS YEAR
9905 W. Thompson Road
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 575-9650
map
(61 miles)