While this season during a pandemic might look a little different from past years , orchard owners say it could be one of their most successful seasons yet, due in large part to the draw of being outside. Many local orchards have begun their annual apple picking celebration by welcoming families to join in the fun!

It’s a time for family and friends to come together and start new traditions. With cooler temperatures, crisp fall air and shorter days, apple picking is always a fun fall activity. When planning to visit an orchard, try calling ahead to find out what varieties are ready for harvest.

Different apple varieties are better for certain dishes than others. A good tip is to pick from outside of the tree, the area where the apple gets the most sunlight. These are usually the sweetest! Below are a few more fun tips!

•  Twist the stem to pick, avoid shaking the branches to prevent fallen bruised apples
• Plan to stay a while and enjoy season al treats like apple cider and caramel apples.
• Pull out your best denim overalls, bring a camera, and make new memories

Also, be sure to keep the fun going at home by testing new recipes with your picked apples or you can stick to your seasonal favorites, like applesauce, pies, and other baked goods! Happy picking!

We took a tour around the culinary web to share a few recipes. We selected recipes we think you might like. You can always do a quick search and find a few hundred thousand recipes for each item we present.

Kick off your apple picking season with these recipes

https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/apple-appetizers/