No hay nada mejor que morder una manzana dulce, crujiente y jugosa, a menos que sea una que hayas recogido tú mismo. A continuación se enumeran 10 de los mejores lugares para recolectar manzanas en el estado de Washington donde puede divertirse en familia y volver a casa con fruta fresca para enlatar, preparar su receta favorita o simplemente disfrutar. Muchos de los lugares tienen mercados, festivales, recorridos u otros eventos durante la temporada de recolección, y si no está interesado en elegir los suyos, ofrecen productos ya recolectados para que aún pueda tener ese sabor recién recolectado.
1. Huerto Apple Creek, Ferndale, WA
Apple Creek Orchard en Ferndale, Washington, es un huerto limpio y bien recortado que se puede elegir y que cuenta con la variedad de manzanas Jonagold. Abierto solo por unas pocas semanas en octubre durante la temporada alta de recolección, este pequeño y amigable huerto es el lugar perfecto para llevar a los niños. Puedes comer tantas manzanas como quieras durante el tiempo de recolección y los niños pueden guardar las grandes manzanas dulces en sus bolsillos. Sin embargo, deje a sus mascotas en casa, ya que hay animales de granja deambulando por la propiedad.
2. Granjas Jones Creek, Sedro Woolley, WA
Local, orgánico y fresco de granja. Eso es lo que obtendrá cuando venga a recoger manzanas a Jones Creek Farms en Sedro Woolley, Washington. Abierto para la recolección de manzanas y peras entre agosto y octubre, encontrará una gran variedad de manzanas, incluida la popular Jonamac, un cruce dulce y jugoso entre Jonathan y McIntosh, peras asiáticas y europeas, una buena selección de ajo, calabazas y calabacines. Ya han recogido fruta también, para los que no quieren recoger la suya.
3. Acres de BelleWood, Lynden, WA
Cuando llegue el momento de recolectar manzanas, diríjase a BelleWood Acres de 25,000 árboles en Lynden, Washington, uno de los huertos más grandes del estado. Aquí encontrarás más de 20 variedades diferentes de aplicaciones, desde la crujiente y jugosa Gravenstein agridulce hasta la Sansa, un nuevo cruce entre Akane y Gala y todas las demás. Suba a bordo del Apple Bin Express para dar un paseo por el huerto hasta su destino para disfrutar de un excelente momento de recolección. Tienen una panadería y un mercado en el lugar y recolectaron manzanas, pasteles, sidras y otros artículos especiales para la venta. Con el hermoso Mount Baker de fondo, este también es un gran lugar para fotos familiares, y la recolección de manzanas en BelleWood seguramente se convertirá en una tradición familiar.
4. Rancho Wilson Banner, Clarkston, Washington
Wilson Banner Ranch in Clarkston, Washington, is a farm to fork heritage farm that’s been in operation for over 100 years. They use proven methods of farming and environmentally-friendly techniques for growing their produce, and rotate crops to make the best use of the land without overusing it. Special events occur on a regular basis here, like live music, farm tours, special dinners, and wine and brewery presentations. Check the picking schedule on their Facebook page, and make sure to bring plenty of water and dress appropriately for the weather.
5. Stutzman Ranch Orchard, Wenatchee, WA
Apples, peaches, pumpkins, pears…with a few nectarines added. That’s what you’ll find at Stutzman Ranch Orchard in Wenatchee, Washington. This pick-your-own orchard offers the chance for some great family fun when you bring the kiddos and spend the day in the orchard. This family-owned family-friendly farm has been around since 1907. Bring your own water, but leave backpacks, strollers, blankets, tents, dogs, food, and other drinks behind.
6. Johnson Orchards, Yakima, WA
Whether you come to pick your own or make your purchases at the fruit market on premise, you’ll find top-quality, reasonably-priced fruits and vegetables at Johnson Orchards in Yakima, Washington. Family owned since 1904, you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time when you visit the packing warehouse and taste the latest in-season fruit. Cherries, apricots, apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, and pluots are available between and December. The bakery is open three days a week and offers delicious pies and other sweet treats.
7. Skipley Farm, Snohomish, WA
With a passion for fruit, the owners of Skipley Farm located in Snohomish, Washington, take great pride in creating happiness, lasting friendships, and delicious, healthy produce for the public. With 280 varieties of apples, seedless grapes, blueberries, cherries, pears, plums, kiwi, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, jostaberries, that’s just the beginning of what’s available at this non-certified organic farm. This is an exciting place to visit if you’ve been looking for more information on edible landscaping, beekeeping, food preservation, and grafting trees. Farm tours are available, too, and inspiration from Robert Rodale of Organic Gardening magazine, is what motivates owner Gil Schieber to share his wealth of knowledge. This is definitely a pick-your-own place to visit.
8. West Valley U-Pick, Yakima, WA
Besides gigantic blueberries the size of a child’s palm, and delicious raspberries, plumcots, pluots, and grapes, West Valley U-Pick in Yakima, Washington, has apples, pears, and pumpkins, and other vegetables between July and the end of October. Naturally grown and organic, the farm is well maintained and very kid-friendly. They supply the buckets and wagon, and have better prices than local grocery stores. When you’re done picking your apples, you can relax under one of the tall shade trees and enjoy a picnic lunch, then head to the market to purchase local honey and eggs.
9. The Farm at Swan’s Trail, Snohomish, WA
Looking for a kid-friendly place to take the young ones where you can pick your own apples? The Farm at Swan’s Trail in Snohomish, Washington, is the place to go. Hop on the farm wagon for the short ride to the land of sweet Honeycrisp and juicy Jonagold apples anytime beginning in September. There’s a petting zoo where the little ones can see pigs, ducks, and other farm animals up close, a playground, mini-train, and a Washington State-shaped corn maze in the fall. The farm is fun for all!
10. Ray French Orchard, Richland, WA
Open every day except Sunday, Ray French Orchard in Richland, Washington, is a great place to visit if you want to pick your own fruits. What started out as a 160-acre land full of sagebrush developed into a commercial endeavor that included cherries, peaches, and apples. Later, with the so many people wanting the experience of picking their own fruit, the orchard was opened to that, and now the farm has grown to 61 acres and includes nectarines.
