From Appleton to Green Bay, here are 7 apple orchards open for apple-picking
APPLETON - It's nearly the time of year when home's are filled with the scent of fresh-baked apple pies and treats, as apple trees begin to ripen.
Apple orchards across northeastern Wisconsin are already opening their fields and offering pick-your-own apples, and other fruits as the fall season progresses.
Hand select the apples you want or purchase them already picked, washed and bagged, and once your done, browse the signature ciders, jams, sauces and bakery items that many orchards sell alongside their fresh produce.
Although some orchards are struggling with the results of low crop yield, like Oneida Nation Apple Orchard in Hobart, which announced it would not open for pick-your-own apple season this year for that reason, there are a few that are still able to provide the hands-on experience.
Here's seven orchards, from Appleton to Green Bay, that are open for apple picking season now.
Hofacker's Hillside Orchard, LLC
W3964 Wege Road, Appleton
Hofacker's is open for the season and customer's can visit from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The orchard offers both pick-your-own and pre-picked apples. Paula Reds, Zestars and Honeycrisp apples are all able to be picked and only Paula Reds and Zestars are offered in store. Dipping caramel is available for purchase but pre-made caramel apples are not available yet. More information about Hofacker's Hillside Orchard can be found at hhorchard.com.
Sharky's Orchard
W30054 Emons Road, Appleton
Customer's can visit Sharky's Orchard from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday for their apple picking needs. The orchard offers pick-your-own and pre-picked apples. At the moment customers can pick between Paula Reds, Zestars, Dandee Reds and Snappy Macs. The orchard also sells Honeycrips, Sweet 16, Royal Gala, Gala and Mcintosh apples, but they aren't available until later in the season. Alongside apples, the orchard sells local honey and homemade raspberry jam. More information can be found at sharkysorchard.godaddysites.com.
Bauer's Apple Shed
W7763 Wisconsin Ave., Hortonville
Early apples are ripe and ready to be picked at Bauer's Apple Shed, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Whitney Crabs, Vikings and Early Macs are currently ripe enough to be picked. The orchard offers 13 other varietys of apples, including Honey Crisp, Gala, Sweet 16, Snow Sweet and McIntosh, which will be ripe later in the season. Other than apples, the orchard currently sells four varietys of its own apple wine, honey, jams, apple butter and more. More information can be found at bauersappleshed.com.
Star Orchard
253 Highway CE, Kaukauna
Star Orchard's pay-per-pound apple picking method assures that customers leave with their desired amount of apples every time. With 36 different kinds of apples over 55 acres, the orchard offers both pick-you-own and pre-picked apples. Currently, there are nine apple varieties available for picking including Paula Red, Sansa, Kinderkrisp, Zestar, Ginger Gold and Chestnut. Customers can visit from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. More information can be found at starorchard.com.
Apple Blossom Orchard & Market
N4366 Highway A, Black Creek
Although Apple Blossom Orchard does not offer pick-your-own apples, the orchard does allow customers to taste any of the 19 varietes of apples it offers as well as hand-select their apples of choice. The orchard is open now with Paula Red and Zestar apples available and many others coming soon. Customers can also purchase squash, local honey, syrup, pies, caramel, jams and more. Apple Blossom Orchard is open 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. More information can be found at appleblossom.farm.
Misty Ridge Orchard
N5126 Advent Road, De Pere
Misty Ridge Orchard does not offer pick-your-own apples, but the orchard has plenty of pre-picked apples and activities for guests. The orchard offers Paula Red and Dandee Red apples already picked, washed and bagged. Customer's can also purchase cider donuts, caramel apples, and apple pie. The corn maze and farm animals makes it a great location for family fun. Misty Ridge Orchard is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. More information can be found on the orchard's Facebook page.
Apple-licious Orchard
4541 Shawano Ave, Green Bay
This pre-picked apple orchard will begin selling its apples on Sept. 4. It is currently offering six different kinds of apples that customers can order ahead of time or stop in and purchase. Customers can get Zestars, Marshall MacIntosh, Dandee Red, Frostbite, Lodi or Oriole apples as well as house-made apple cider, apple butter and applesauce. Apple-licious Orchard is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. More information can be found at appleliciousorchard.com.
Hillside Apples
E2237 State 54, Casco
Hillside Apples is open for the season now and offering both pick your own and pre-picked apples. The orchard produces over 20 different varieties of apples. Paula Reds, Zestars and sour McIntosh apples are ready to be picked, they are also offered in-store alongside premier Honeycrisps and plums. Hillside Apples' current hours until Sept. 15 are 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. More information can be found at hillsideapples.com/index.html
Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-453-5107 or jburns1@gannett.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: From Appleton to Green Bay, here are 7 apple orchards open for picking
