Apple Picking in Vermont

Burtt’s Apple Orchard - Cabot, VT
They have a small six acre orchard on their farm which was first planted in 2005.There are now 35 apple varieties for picking.They use Integrated Pest Management Practices and match apple donations to the Vermont Food Bank.PYO apples are $1 per pound.They also sell cider, cider doughnuts and maple syrup.Cash or checks accepted.Cabot is located northeast of Montpelier.

Chapin Orchard - Essex, VT
U-pick apples.Half of their apples are Macintosh.Red Delicious, Paula Reds, Liberties, Empires, Macouns and Cortlands make up most of the rest, with another 20 varieties making up the last 10% of their apples.They usually make cider on their retrofitted antique press on Thursdays.Near the end of October, they do a special cider pressing for people who make their own hard cider.In their retail and visitor center, they have a large assortment of local farm products and crafts.The orchard is open daily from early September through October.

Hackett’s Orchard - South Hero, VT
A 50 acre family owned farm and market that has been owned by the Hackett family since 1967.Their land has been producing apples for 100+ years, with apple picking starting around Labor Day (it depends on when the apples ripen!).They grow 47 varieties of apples.Try their cider donuts (baked daily), apple cider and purchase local Vermont maple syrup. They also have wagon rides, a picnic area and a play area.It is located on Grand Isle in the middle of Lake Champlain.

Scott Farm Orchard - Dummerston, VT
A 571 acre Landmark Trust USA property with 23 historic structures.This is the farm where Cider House Rules was filmed (right next to the Farm Market).PYO apples start in early September and peak at the end of September.Their ecologically grown apples include McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Spigold and Jonagold.By ecologically grown, they mean that they attempt to control insects and disease through other approaches, but when they have no other choice they use the spray that disrupts the ecosystem the least.In total, they grow 90 varieties of apples here.They begin pressing cider made from heirloom apples on Labor Day weekend.They also participate in the Vermont Food Bank “Pick for your Neighbor” program.

Shelburne Orchards - Shelburne, VT
Visit their 80 acres of apple trees on the shores of Lake Champlain.Their heirloom apples ripen from mid to late October.PYO costs $2/lb for Ginger Gold, Honey Crisp and McCoun.All other apples are priced at $1 per pound.They also have a pumpkin patch.95% of the orchard is low spray, which they explain as their compromise because they have yet to find a way to make the entire farm organic.In 1997, they were awarded the Sustainable Agriculture Farm of the Year award by the Vermont Sustainable Agriculture Round Table.They also make cider, cider donuts and even apple brandy (but you’ll have to wait a couple years for this).They are open from the end of August through the end of October.

Wellwood Orchards - Springfield, VT
They feature a petting zoo and country store along with their apples, berries, and pumpkins. The location is 529 Wellwood Orchard Road, Springfield, VT 05156. They grow more than 20 apple varieties.Free wagon rides to the orchard on weekends from Labor Day weekend to the weekend after Columbus Day.The country store sells apple pies, maple syrup, maple butter and hand made Vermont products.Cider doughnuts and apple cider available on weekends in season.They also have a petting zoo with bunnies, calfs, sheep and more. It is open daily during apple season.