Apples, pumpkins and trees: our guide to u-pick offerings in Delaware this fall, winter

If gathering your group for a two-for-one day of filling the pantry while indulging in some seasonal fun sounds like your kind of vibe, we have a little secret to share: U-pick offerings are the perfect activity for you.

Whether you want to fill your kitchen with farm-fresh produce or decorate your home for the holidays, there are plenty of ways to support Delaware businesses and plan an outdoor adventure through u-pick activities.

Throughout the year, farms across the state offer u-pick fruits and vegetables, as well as pick-your-own pumpkins and Christmas trees.

To help you plan your upcoming social calendar, we've assembled a picking season roundup so you can plot your seasonal outings.

Note: Be sure to contact a farm or check their social media for updates on what crops are available, when u-pick activities are scheduled and, of course, watch for weather updates.

Fall farm outings

If you haven’t spent an autumn day picking apples at local orchards, searching for wonky gourds and enjoying fresh cider donuts, you aren’t doing the season right.

Apples

Thousand Acre Farm in Middletown has several varieties of apples available for picking as early as late August and lasting until late October.

Some of the apple varieties they carry include Gala, Honeycrisp, Crimson Crisp, Golden Delicious, Shizuka, Pink Lady and Fuji.

Fifer Orchards in Camden-Wyoming has pick-your-own apples on select Saturdays from Aug. 19 to Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.

The orchard also has plenty of food, activities and farm produce for you to enjoy during your visit.

Milburn Orchards, located a short drive away near Elkton, Maryland, offers u-pick apples every weekend, plus Labor Day, in September and October.

Perfect for group outings or a day trip with family, you can enjoy farm tours, barnyard parties, nighttime bonfire parties, eat on the Ice Cream & Lunch Deck and take home extra goodies from the Farm Market and the Bake Shoppe.

As we inch closer to fall, the days of fruit picking will be left behind as pumpkins take the u-pick reins.

Pumpkins

From mid-September through October, Ramsey’s Farm in Brandywine Hundred offers pumpkin picking on a 10-acre field that yields about 50,000 pumpkins each year.

The pumpkin patch is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and has pumpkins in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, with wagons on-site for visitors to use.

For even more weekend fun, the farm has pumpkin patch activities, bonfire night events, flashlight corn mazes and nighttime hayrides. They are also open for private events, parties, educational tours and goat yoga on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. through September.

Middletown’s Filasky’s Produce and Farm Market offers u-pick pumpkins, a soybean maze, bonfires and hayrides during the day and at night on weekends and holidays through early November.

Parsons Farms Produce and Fifer Orchards also have pumpkins available for picking in the fall.

Winter farm excursions

Once frosty temperatures and the anticipation of the holidays take over, Christmas tree hunting is sure to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

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Christmas trees

Delaware is home to many Christmas tree farms, and many of them offer homemade wreaths, photo opportunities with Santa and a variety of trees to ensure you find the perfect fit "fir'' your home.

Last year’s Christmas tree supply was hit by inflation and a national shortage of tall pines and firs.

To avoid going home empty-handed, keep up with your favorite tree farms on their websites or via social media to be notified as soon as they open for business this year in case the supply at local farms is still battling past impacts.

Don’s Tree Farm in Greenwood operated by appointment only in 2022, so be sure to check their social media for announcements regarding u-pick trees for the upcoming holiday season.

They open on Black Friday and have a variety of tree types available for privacy landscaping or as holiday trees, including emerald green, leylands, pine and holly. Don’s is open Monday through Friday and is able to deliver trees to customers if needed.

Aside from trees, they have homemade wreaths for sale and invite Santa to the farm for photo opportunities all throughout the season.

Gaines Christmas Tree Farm in Harrington, founded in 1996, also opens for business on Black Friday and prides itself on delivering the freshest trees to customers, cutting only when a selection is made.

More places to get a Christmas tree this year include Dyer’s Tree Farm in Dover, Poynter’s Tree Farm and Christmas Shop in Felton and McCarthy Tree Farm in Middletown.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: U-pick, fruits, vegetables and more in Delaware this fall and winter