When does apples season start?

The earliest apples are usually ready in August in Deep South and Southwest. In most of the country the season is August to October in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest and September to October in the Northeast.

How long does apples season last?

Orchards with several varieties often run from late August into late October.

How do I know if a farm is open for picking today?

Check the farm's website, social media page or phone line on the morning you go. Farms open and close fields from day to day, depending on how much is ripe and on the weather.

When is apple picking season?

Updated: October 10, 2026

Apple picking is a late-summer and fall activity almost everywhere: early varieties start in August, and most orchards are busiest from mid-September to mid-October. We list 1,584 farms for apples in 48 states. The states with the most: New York (158), Michigan (121), Wisconsin (110), Massachusetts (96), Maine (74).

Typical season by region

Deep South and Southwest (TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, AZ): August to October
Upper South (NC, TN, VA, AR, OK, KY, NM): August to October
Mid-Atlantic and Midwest (PA, NJ, MD, OH, IN, IL, MO and neighbors): August to October
California and Nevada: August to November
Pacific Northwest (OR, WA, ID): August to October
Northeast and Upper Midwest (NY, New England, MI, WI, MN and neighbors): September to October
Mountain West (CO, UT, MT, WY): September to October

These are rough windows. A warm spring can move the start up by a week or two, a late frost or a cool summer can push it back. Season notes on our farm pages are what the farm posted, sometimes for an earlier year.

Season by state

State	Typical season	Farms
Alabama	August to October	12
Alaska	September to October	3
Arizona	August to October	8
Arkansas	August to October	7
California	August to November	64
Colorado	September to October	21
Connecticut	September to October	56
Delaware	August to October	6
Georgia	August to October	15
Idaho	August to October	19
Illinois	August to October	58
Indiana	August to October	42
Iowa	September to October	23
Kansas	August to October	17
Kentucky	August to October	20
Louisiana	August to October	4
Maine	September to October	74
Maryland	August to October	26
Massachusetts	September to October	96
Michigan	September to October	121
Minnesota	September to October	55
Mississippi	August to October	3
Missouri	August to October	31
Montana	September to October	7
Nebraska	September to October	6
Nevada	August to November	4
New Hampshire	September to October	47
New Jersey	August to October	49
New Mexico	August to October	7
New York	September to October	158
North Carolina	August to October	41
North Dakota	September to October	1
Ohio	August to October	66
Oklahoma	August to October	8
Oregon	August to October	42
Pennsylvania	August to October	55
Rhode Island	September to October	24
South Carolina	August to October	3
South Dakota	September to October	6
Tennessee	August to October	21
Texas	August to October	19
Utah	September to October	7
Vermont	September to October	32
Virginia	August to October	48
Washington	August to October	36
West Virginia	August to October	4
Wisconsin	September to October	110
Wyoming	September to October	2

Tips for picking apples

Each variety ripens at its own time. Early ones such as Gala come in August, late ones such as Fuji and Pink Lady in October. Ask the orchard which rows are open.
Lift the apple up and give it a gentle twist. A ripe apple comes off easily with the stem attached.
Apples keep for weeks in the fridge. Keep them away from bananas and other soft fruit, which they ripen faster.

Find a farm

See all farms on our apple picking page, search the map around your town, or check the season calendar for what else is ripe. Before you go, read our U-pick tips.