Apple U-Pick Orchards in Madison area of Wisconsin 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.
Crawford County
- EpleHaus Orchard and Norskhaven Gift and Coffee Shop - Pick-your-own apples seasonally.
Rt 2, Gays Mills, WI . Phone: 608-735-4891. Click here for a map and directions. . I suspect they have gone out of business; I can't find a word about them anywhere. weekends in March and April; Thursday to Sunday in May, June and July; 7 days a week August to December 23; August hours 9 to 5; September hours 7 to 7. Apples, cider, maple syrup and condiments. Also restaurant, coffee shop and gift shop--schedule: - Fleming Orchards - apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds, Indian corn
Hwy 171, 4 mi E, Gays Mills, WI . Phone: 608-735 4625. Email: flemorch@mwt.net. Open: 7 days a week 8 to 5 pm August 15 to Nov 15. Click here for a map and directions. . . Fresh picked apples, cider, caramel apples, honey, jams and jellies, maple syrup, pumpkins, squash, gourds, Indian corn, popcorn on weekends. Petting Zoo. During August - October we have a petting zoo that overlooks the orchard (behind the retail store). There are a variety of small animals for you and your children to meet and play with, including goats, pot-bellied pigs, chickens and rabbits. Pick-Your-Own: We also offer the ability for our customers to head out into the orchard and pick their own apples. Many people find this is a great family activity and return year-after-year. School Tours: We have hosted school tours since the 1970s. (UPDATED: May 14, 2016, JBS) - Shihata's Orchard - apples and pumpkins
Off Hwy 27, 6 mi N, Prairie du Chien, WI . Phone: 608-326-2785. Open:Open: 9 am to 5 pm on, 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays during apple season, August to Nov 15. Click here for a map and directions. . Fresh-picked and pick-your-own apples. Also cider, caramel apples, cheeses and sausages, honey, jams and jellies, pears, popcorn and pumpkins, strawberries. Gift baskets. In our APPLE HOUSE SHOP we offer 18 varieties of apples, a large pumpkin patch, our own fresh pressed cider, an abundance of speciality products, wine and much more. By mid September we offer the famous HoneyCrisp Apple. (UPDATED: May 14, 2016, JBS) - Sunrise Orchards - apples
1 one half miles east of Gays Mills, 48380 State Hwy 171, Gays Mills, WI . Phone: 608-735-4645. Open: 9 to 5 Monday through Sun. Click here for a map and directions. . Late August to December 23. Closed Thanksgiving Day.
Dane County
- Appleberry Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blueberries, pears, pumpkins, raspberries (red), strawberries, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, gift shop, picnic area, school tours
8079 Maurer Road, Cross Plains, WI 53528. Phone: 608 798 2780. Email: fun@theappleberryfarm.com. Open: Labor Day through Halloween, Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 12 pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm; For Summer Berry hours, call ahead. Directions: Westside of Madison 12/18 Beltline, Exit Mineral Point Road, West 4 miles, turn left on Timber Lane, 1 mile, turn right on Maurer Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Call ahead to verify what is ripe and available 608 to 798 to 2780. We use integrated pest management practices. Come feed the Chickens and sit by the Duck pond. Enjoy a Hayride or walk through the Orchard and explore our oak savanna with beautiful views towards Blue Mounds. Apple varieties: Over 30 Antique apple varieties, plus McIntosh, Cortland, Connell Red, Idared, Empire, Jonathan, NW Greening, Russets, & Prairie Spy.Strawberries are ripe in June after school gets out for the summer. We have a large field of several varieties for pick your own. Learn all about how strawberries are grown and enjoy their delicious taste fresh from the Farm. Call ahead for dates/hours open. (UPDATED: May 14, 2016, JBS) . - Door Creek Orchard - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, Seedless table grapes, table grapes (with seeds), Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, gift shop, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food
3252 Vilas Road, Cottage Grove, WI 53527. Phone: (608) 838-4762. Email: liz@doorcreekorchard.com. Open: Please check our website or Facebook page for our current hours and fruit availability. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard.
Door Creek Orchard Facebook page. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. We use integrated pest management practices. Tom and Gretchen Griffith of, LLC grow over 80 varieties of apples, modern and heirloom. All crops are grown with loving care and the absolute minimum of chemicals. (UPDATED: July 22, 2019)
Comments from a visitor on October 03, 2009: "LOVE IT" - Eplegaarden Orchard - Self-pick apples, raspberries and pumpkins, hayrides, animals and a haunted barn.
2273 Fitchburg Road, Fitchburg, WI . Phone: 608-845-5966. Email: forest@eplegaarden.com. Open: Mid-August to early-September, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday only, from 9am-noon; and then early September to end of October, on Monday-Saturday from 9am to 6pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . Old fashioned orchard featuring selv plukk (U-Pick) apples, raspberries and pumpkins for lots of old fashion rural farm fun. It's the home of the Wisconsin Sesquicentennial Barn and "Ole & Lena", and "Bakke and Dal". Real farm fun for everyone! (UPDATED: May 14, 2016, JBS) - Fabrita Orchard - UPDATE: September 21, 2016: A visitor tells me they are now permanently closed Pick-your-own apples
5939 Hogan Road, Waunakee, WI . Phone: 608-849-5846. Open: permanently closed. Click here for a map and directions. . 9 to 6 daily. Garden accessories, gift items, greenhouse for bedding plants. Cider . Bakery on weekends. - Green's Pleasant Spring Orchard - Pick-your-own apples and Pumpkins
2722 Williams Dr, Stoughton, WI . Phone: 608-873-4096. Email: Apples247@litewire.net. Open: daily, 11 am to 5 pm, except closed Wednesdays. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash or personal checks only. . At Green's Pleasant Springs Orchard apples are our specialty. We grow 74 varieties of apples press our own apple cider and make applesauce and apple butter. In addition, we grow an assortment of fruits and vegetables, including rhubarb, salad greens, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, melons, sweet corn, and pears. Pumpkins, squash, honey, sweet corn, Indian corn, tomatoes, pick-your-own and picked apples. UPDATE for 2020: Masks will be required to enter the store and social distancing between families should be observed. You can preorder our products by calling 608-852-4165. We are NOT doing PYO apples this year. We ARE allowing PYO pumpkins on a one family at a time basis starting Sept. 24. We are selling our products at Westside Community market on Saturdays and at Monona Market on Sundays. We will have our head lettuces at markets starting Sept. 26.Apples available are Honeycrisp, Zestar, Sweet 16, Macoun, McIntosh, Swiss Gourmet, Fuji, Spartan, Jonathan, Greening, Haralson, and Cortland . Fresh unpasteurized cider was made September 24. In 2020, Pumpkins are $5.00 each in the pumpkin patch. Chunky Applesauce(Natural and Cinnamon) is available in quarts. Our applesauce has no sugar added. Apple butter is available in pints. Try some in your grilled cheese sandwich. Our own honey is available in 1Lb.,2Lb. and 4Lb. jars. We have both wildflower and buckwheat honey. Applewood chips are available for grilling/smoking.( $4.00/bag). Call for larger quantities. Apple firewood is available at the orchard. In 2020, General Apple Varieties $2.00/Lb, Specialty and Heirloom varieties $2.50/Lb., Honeycrisp $3.00/Lb. Contact the orchard for bushel prices. (UPDATED: September 27, 2020 JBS) - Munchkey Apples - apples, Honey from hives on the farm, gift shop, concessions \\/ refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
175 Drammen Valley Road, Mount Horeb, WI 53572. Phone: (608) 523-1163. Email: laura.tisch@munchkeyapples.com. Open: Thursday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
Munchkey Apples Facebook page. . September through October. Over 8400 trees and a new bakery. Beautiful rolling hills of southwest Dane county. (ADDED: September 11, 2017) - Sutters Ridge Orchard - apples, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), Honey from hives on the farm, gift shop, concessions \\/ refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
2074 Sutter Dr., Mt Horeb, WI 53572. Phone: (608)832-6445. Email: sutter@mhtc.net. Open: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm beginning Labor Day Weekend, through September and October. Directions: Located between Verona and Mt Horeb off highway 92, we are a short drive from Madison's west side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers.
Sutters Ridge Orchard Facebook page. . Starting Labor Day Weekend, Enjoy U-pick and Pre-picked apples, U-pick raspberries until frost, U-pick pumpkins, mums, caramel apples, apple treats, activity area with animals and apple sling shots, corn maze and wagon rides in October.
Grant County
- May Family Farm - apples, blackberries, raspberries (Autumn, red),
1863 Fairplay Rd, Cuba City, WI 53807. Phone: 608-748-5106. Email: Greg@advancedprinting.us. Open: 7 days a week while Apples are available, call ahead for a picking time, we want to ensure enough Apples for Everyone!. Directions: located along the Il, Ia, Wi border in Southern Wisconsin, 7 miles from Dubuque, Iowa, just off the Wisconsin Bridge, outside of Louisburg, Wisconsin. It's easy to find, will give your better directions when you call!. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . We offer Pick-Your-Own Organic Empire Apples. These Apples are a mix between sweet/tart and are a favorite for fresh eating, pies, sauce & freezing! They are a Favorite for kids school lunchs and snacks. These Apples have a long self life, they are Super Crisp/Crunchy and packed full of Juicy Goodness!! If you want your Apples already picked we can do that also! Come and make picking Apples a part of your Family Tradition!!. Blackberries and Red Raspberries can be harvested beginning August 1st and usually last until mid September, weather permitting.
Sauk County
- Lazy Patch Farm - Grapes, apples, raspberries and strawberries in season.
33351 Hwy 154, Hillpoint, WI . Phone: 608-585-2240. Open: Yelp reports they are closed - Not offering pick-your-own strawberries in 2014; come see us next May 2015 when we will likely be open Saturday and Sunday 1 to 6 pm until mid-October depending on supply. Click here for a map and directions. .
Vernon County
- Honey Ridge Apple Farm - Apples
E15833 Hwy 33, Hillsboro, WI . Phone: 608-489-2996. Open: Thursdayto Sunday 10 am to 7 pm in September and October. Click here for a map and directions. . Selling , honey and candles. Pick-your-own in October. - Triple J Orchard - Apples
20995 Orbit Avenue, Ontario, WI . Phone: 608-337-4560. Open: weekends late August to Nov 1: Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday 11 to 5 . Click here for a map and directions. . , caramel . Gift basket and gift shop.
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!
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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:
- Summary table of many apple varieties and their characteristics
- Detailed descriptions of each apple variety with detailed characteristics
- Apple varieties, sorted by the order in which they typically ripe
- Apple varieties that don't turn brown when they are cut
- Why are some apples brown or spotted inside when you first cut them open?
Canning apples - fully illustrated, with step-by-step instructions
- How to make applesauce
- How to make apple butter
- How to make apple jelly
- How to make apple pie filling (canned)
- How to can apples
- Home canned apple juice
Recipes, illustrated with step by step instructions
- Apple pie recipe and directions and illustrated! I can say, with, ahem, no bias at all, that this is the best apple pie recipe in the world! (Alright, I did have an apple strudel in Vienna once at that place listed in Fodors that was REALLY good, but that wasn't a pie, was it? And since this was the recipe my grandmother used, it must be great!)
- How to make applesauce for a single meal (not canning it) with NO special equipment
- Apple cobbler
- Apple crunch - best of all! Moist, low sugar and using oats!
- Apple crisp - ever-popular, low sugar and using oats!
- Apple, blackberry, cherry, and/or peach cobbler
- Apple-blackberry, crumble - a English favorite (or favourite)
Using fresh apples and miscellaneous
- How to stop cut apples from browning
- Apple festivals - find one near you!
- Apple facts
- Apple seeds and cyanide