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Apple U-Pick Orchards in South-central Idaho in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for apples that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have apples orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Twin Falls County

  • Kelley Orchard - peaches, cherries, pears, apples, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
    1903 River Road, Filer, ID 83328. Phone: 208-543-5330. Email: canyonorchards@gmail.com. Directions: From Twin Falls, take Poleline Road go West 10 miles to 2000 East. Turn right heading North. Follow this road 7 miles down into the Snake River Canyon. The orchard will be on the south side of the road. Look for Kelley Orchard signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Kelley Orchard Alternate Phone: 208-734-8518. . Cherries, peaches, pears and apples available for U - pick; Please call to confirm what's currently available and our hours of operation based on season. Cherries begin in June; Peaches, Pears, Nectarines, Plums begin in August; Melons begin in July; Apples being in August; Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and other veggies being in July;.
  • SOLD - Northview Orchard -apples, cherries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, U-pick and already picked
    1826 E 4500 N, Buhl, ID 83316. Phone: 208-543-6083. Open: UPDATE for 2023, The farm was sold. The new owners will be changing the name of the orchard but we do not know the contact info for them. If someone close to the farm could swing by there and knock on the door and ask them whether they will open this year or next and any information you could get and pass on to me, I would greatly appreciate it as I'm sure many other people will too!  Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Cherries: June, July, Peaches: July, August, September, Pears: August, September, Apples: September, October, November. We use integrated pest management practices. 
    (UPDATED: July 07, 2023)

 

Apple Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Apples ripen from the outside of the tree towards the center, so the apples out the outside of the tree will ripen first.  Once they are picked, they stop ripening. Picking apples directly from a tree is easy. Roll the apple upwards off the branch and give a little twist; don't pull straight away from the tree. If two apples are joined together at the top, both will come away at the same time. Don't shake the trees or branches.  If the apple you are trying to pick drops, (or others on the tree) go ahead and pick it up. They're perfectly fine! But do wash them before you eat them! More info: How to tell when apples are ripe

  • Once picked, don't throw the apples into the baskets, place them in gently, or they will bruise and go bad more quickly.
  • Don't wash apples until just before using to prevent spoilage.
  • For an explanation of why apple slices turn brown and how to stop it, see this page!
  • Keep apples cool after picking to increase shelf life.  A cool basement is ideal, but the fruit/vegetable drawer of a refrigerator will work, too.  A refrigerator is fine for small quantities of apples. Boxed apples need to be kept in a cool, dark spot where they won't freeze. Freezing ruptures all of an apple's cells, turning it into one large bruise overnight. The usual solution is to store apples in a root cellar. But root cellars often have potatoes in them: apples and potatoes should never be stored in the same room because, as they age, potatoes release an otherwise ethylene gas, which makes apples spoil faster. If you can keep the gas away from your apples, they will keep just fine. Just don't store them right next to potatoes.
    Prevent contact between apples stored for the winter by wrapping them individually in sheets of newspaper. The easiest way to do this is to unfold a section of newspaper all the way and tear it into quarters. Then stack the wrapped apples . See more here: How to store apples at home
  • Apples don't improve or "ripen" after being picked - this is an urban myth - see this page for the truth - with references!

Which apple variety is best?

There are tens of thousands of varieties of apples, developed over centuries. They vary in sugar, acoidity, flavors, storing, crispness and many other attributes. See our guides to apple varieties:

Canning apples - fully illustrated, with step-by-step instructions

Recipes, illustrated with step by step instructions

Using fresh apples and miscellaneous

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)