Local orchards expect great season for apple picking

Our cool, crazy summer may delay the apple-picking season a few days here and there. But local orchards predict a great crop - and another chance to give city and suburban families a taste of what it's like to pick their own fruit.

"We have an abundance of apples this year," says Gloria Bianchini, owner of Royal Oak Farm Orchard in Harvard. "I think we're going to have a very nice crop."

Apple-picking has long been a favorite late-summer/fall pastime. U-pick spots are harder to find than they used to be, since a number of suburban orchards were sold to developers. Still, many families feel the remaining ones are worth the drive,

"People like being outside enjoying a nice time with their families in a noncommercial setting," says Anthony DeMoon, who runs Heinz Orchard in Green Oaks.

Some families like to stock up - all the better for homemade applesauce, pies and cider. Others just pick a few apples.

Regardless, there can be quite a selection - from varieties ideal for baking to those better eaten raw.

"You can get varieties at our orchard that you will never find in the stores," says Velma Downes, owner of More than Delicious Orchard in Woodstock. "We have 80 varieties of apples and pears."

A few words of warning, though.

Picking dates can change, and crop availability varies so call before you go. The last thing you want is a carload of cranky kids staring up at bare trees. And besides, your favorite apple might not ripen for a few weeks yet.

Also, some farms do not accept credit cards. Check the orchard's policy or bring cash.

All Season Farm and Orchard

14510 Route 176, Woodstock. Call (815) 338-5637 or visit allseasonfarm.com/Orchard/orchard.htm.

Crop report: Apple-picking begins Saturday, Sept. 5. Eleven varieties will be ready for picking over the following weeks including Honey Crisp. Also popular: Asian Pears.

Price: Not yet determined.

Other amenities: Horse-pulled wagon rides, a petting zoo, a restaurant (open weekends only) and the chance to buy doughnuts, pies, cider and more.

Picking hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Heinz Orchard

1050 Crest Road, Green Oaks. Call (847) 770-3449 or visit heinzorchard.com.

Crop report: Heinz plans to open for picking Friday, Sept. 11. Five varieties are available, including Empire and Red Delicious.

Price: Half-peck bags (enough to hold 5 or 6 pounds) are $8; one-peck bags are $15. Cash only.

Other amenities: This is a small, family-run orchard without hayrides or snack bars. You can buy raw natural honey.

Picking hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday

Homestead Orchard

11802 Charles Road, Woodstock. Call (815) 338-7443 or visit homesteadorchard.net.

Crop report: Apples are already available for picking at Homestead Orchard. The orchard grows 20 varieties of apples including Gala, Empire, McIntosh and Jonathan.

Price: $1.35 per pound.

Other amenities: Visitors can shop in a converted 1880 horse barn that sells pies, jam, honey and other items. There's also a World War II commemorative room paying tribute to veterans. In addition, you can pick your own raspberries.

Picking hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

Kuipers Family Farm,

145 Watson Road, Maple Park. (815) 827-5200 or visit kuipersfamilyfarm.com.

Crop report: Season opens Saturday, Aug. 29. Twenty-five varieties will ripen through fall including Granny Smith, Cortland and Empire.

Price: A $7.50 admission fee includes a quarter-peck bag to fill and a hayride. Additional peck bags for picking are $14 each.

Other amenities: Hayrides, plus a bakery and shop.

Picking hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Lang's Orchard

17411 Secor Road, Woodstock. Call (815) 568-7547 or visit langsorchard.com.

Crop report: Picking begins Saturday. Sept. 12. The orchard offers 13 varieties for picking, including Gala, Winesap and Cortland.

Price: $12 per peck for U-pick varieties

Other amenities: Orchard sells fruit spreads.

Picking hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday

More than Delicious Orchard

9905 W. Thompson Road, Woodstock. Call (815) 338-2309 or visit morethandelicious.com.

Crop report: Picking season starts Friday, Sept. 11. About 80 varieties of apples and pears are grown on the grounds, including Honey Crisp and antique varieties. About 60 varieties are available for picking.

Price: $50 per bushel; cash or checks only

Other amenities: No "bells and whistles" - just apples and honey.

Picking hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

PineApple Acres

41651 Powers Road, Huntley. Call (847) 669-3251 or visit www.geocities.com/pineapple_acres.

Crop report: Season starts Friday, Sept. 11. Varieties available for picking include Gala, Granny Smith, Jonagold and Golden Delicious.

Price: $5 entrance fee per vehicle, with a $5 off coupon for those who pick 20 pounds or more. Apples are $1.25 per pound. Cash or checks only.

Other amenities: The farm sells honey from its hives.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Prairie Sky Orchard

4914 N. Union Road, Union

Call (815) 923-4834 or visit prairieskyorchard.com.

Crop report: The season is expected to begin Saturday, Sept. 5. Four varieties are available for picking including Jonagold and Golden Delicious.

Price: $14 per peck; $27 per half bushel. Cash or checks only.

Other amenities: Salsas, jams, pies and more are sold at the orchard's pole barn. Fall raspberries are also available for picking in early September.

Picking hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day but Tuesday

Royal Oak Farm Orchard

15908 Hebron Road, Harvard. Call (815) 648-4141 or visit royaloakfarmorchard.com.

Crop report: Picking of early varieties has already begun. The orchard grows 25 varieties of apples including Liberty, Empire and Jonamac.

Price: $14 per peck for U-pick varieties

Other amenities: Raspberry picking will start in early September, but call ahead to confirm dates and availability. Families can check out a petting zoo and train ride, and special Applefest activities - including crafts and concerts - will be featured on Saturdays through Columbus Day. Also on site is a gift shop, bakery and restaurant.

Picking hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Woodstock Country Orchard

17015 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock. Call (815) 923-4359 or visit woodstockcountryorchard.com.

Crop report: Picking starts Saturday, Sept. 5. A dozen varieties are available for picking, including Gala, Jonamac and Cortlands.

Price: $12 per peck; cash or checks only

Other amenities: The orchard also has raspberry picking, starting Sept. 5. Homegrown garlic, locally produced honey and other items are available for purchase.

Picking hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays except for Labor Day.

Ziegler's Orchard

32363 N. Bacon Road, Grayslake. Call (847) 546-1228.

Crop report: Picking begins Saturday, Sept. 19. Varieties include Fuji, Jonathan, Cortland and Red Delicious.

Price: $1.35 per pound, with a 5-pound minimum for all pickers. Plus, there is a $1 per person admission fee. Children 3 and under are free and have no picking minimum.

Other amenities: Hayrides and a country store that sells food, mums and other items.

Picking hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays