Where to Pick Pumpkins, Apples

Farms and orchards in lower Putnam County and Northern Westchester are the perfect place for fall fun.

Whether you want to get your hands dirty and pick your own vegetables—and apples and pumpkins, popular and plentiful in October—or stock up on fresh, homemade favorites like jams and baked goods, there's plenty to choose from. 

In the list below, we've included local "destination" farm stands with U-Pick and seasonal activities, including hayrides and live music. Don't have time to head out to one of these nearby farms? Check out our Patch directory of local nurseries—many offer pumpkins, seasonal flowers and home decor. And check out local farmers markets, too!

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard is a family-owned business in North Salem (some locals may remember it as Outhouse Orchards, which still exists across the street; see below). They carry a variety of local honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, farm fresh eggs, local dairy products, and own grass-fed beef, maple syrup, cider doughnuts, fresh baked pies, homemade fudge and Green Mountain Coffee. Each weekend through Halloween they host a "fall festival," including live music, hayrides, pony rides, bouncy castles and more.

They're open 7 days a week. Store hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, 914-485-1210.

Outhouse Orchards

This 120-acre farm is family-owned and operated and offers apple and pumpkin picking from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekends. Other activities include hayrides and inflatables and vendors offering brick-oven pizza, soaps and gifts and more. For more information visit their website .

Outhouse Orchards is located at 139 Hardscrabble Road in North Salem. They can be reached at 914-277-3188.

Muscoot Pumpkin Pickin'

The farm is hosting a "Pumpkin Pickin’" event Sunday and Monday of Columbus Day Weekend. Families are invited to come and pick the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween, or to use as a fall decoration. Participants have a choice of taking a hayride out back to our pumpkin patch for a small fee of $2 per person, or walking down to our vegetable garden and picking their pumpkin there. The cost of the pumpkins varies, depending on their size. The following two weekends at Muscoot also celebrate fall; visit Muscoot's website to learn more about the Autumn Celebration and Boo Walk.

Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, 51 Route 100, Katonah, 914.864.7282.

Salingers Orchard Farm Market

Unlike many seasonal locations, Salinger’s Orchard is open year-round. Owners Bruce and Maureen Salinger are almost always present and are happy to assist all of their customers with their produce or bakery items whether they stop in daily, weekly, monthly or annually.

Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. year-round, Salingers Orchard, 230 Guinea Road, Brewster, 845-277-3521.

Stuart's Farm

Take a step back in time when you go apple and pumpkin picking this season. The Stuart family has been farming since 1828; the original farmhouse was built around 1760. Owner Betsy Stuart, who describes her farm as "the friendliest" gives tours and has been known to show off her old apple-grating machine. Stuart's also does birthday parties.

Apple picking starts and pumpkin picking are available from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. from September to November, at 62 Granite Springs Rd., Granite Springs, 914. 245.2784.

Wilkens Farm

At Wilkens Farm, parking and a hayride are included into the picking price. The hayride takes visitors to the orchards on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (you can walk during the week) where you can use an apple-picking pole to reach the tops of the trees—with hilltop views of mountains and the Hudson River. A wide variety of apples are available for u-pick through Oct. 14 (see full list here) and pumpkin picking is in full-swing through the end of the month.

The farm is open daily starting late August through mid-December from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and is located at 1335 White Hill Rd., Yorktown Heights, 914.245.5111.

What to do with your apple bounty?

Try these:

"Wilkens Hot Spiced Cider"

1 Gal. Wilkens Apple Cider

2 Tblsp Honey

1 Tblsp Lemon Juice

½ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in pan. Heat to low simmer.

Stuart's "Apple Brown Betty"

Slice four cups of apples (Stuart uses Cortland apples, but use anything except red delicious) into a buttered baking dish.

Put ½ cup of water on top.

Topping mix: One stick of softened butter, 1 cup sugar, ¾ cup of flower, 3 tablespoons of cinnamon and a pinch of salt.

Mix with butter mixture until crumbly.

Add mixture on top of apples and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Stuart recommends serving it with vanilla ice cream or whip cream, either hot or cold.