The best overall apple-picking window in Hartford County is usually mid-September through early October.

As of September 3, 2026, several orchards are already picking. Rogers opens PYO September 4 and Clark Farms opens September 5. Varieties and field availability can change quickly, so check the farm the day you go.

Where to pick apples in Hartford County

These locations have current 2026 evidence supporting public apple picking. PYO can still close temporarily for weather or crop availability.

Belltown Hill Orchards

📍 483 Matson Hill Road, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

More than 24 apple varieties are offered for pick-your-own and in the farm market. PYO is weather- and crop-dependent, so the farm recommends checking before you go.

PYO hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM; Sat–Sun 8 AM–4 PM. Picking closes before the market. No pets, strollers, backpacks or outside picking containers in the fields. The market and bakery sell homegrown apples, cider donuts, pies and other farm goods.

Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard

📍 29 Bushy Hill Road, Granby, CT 06035

The farm’s 2026 apple-picking season begins Saturday, September 5, weather permitting. Guests ride a tractor to the designated picking fields.

The orchard says apple PYO usually runs into late October or early November. Farm extras include cider donuts, cider slushies, a cafe, animals, apple cannons and hard cider. No walking to the picking fields; personal bags, backpacks and strollers are not allowed in the orchard.

Dondero Orchards

📍 529 Woodland Street, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

Dondero’s Woodland Street farm is open for the 2026 season and offers pick-your-own apples as varieties ripen from late summer into October.

The farm’s own pages currently show different seasonal hour ranges, but agree that Tuesday is closed. Call before visiting for that day’s hours and varieties. The separate 3582 Hebron Avenue location is currently marked closed for the season.

Easy Pickin's Orchard

📍 46 Bailey Road, Enfield, CT 06082

A low-key Enfield PYO farm with dwarf apple trees plus berries, peaches, vegetables, flowers and pumpkins in season.

Current 2026 farm guides list apples in season now. The most recent public schedule shows shorter weekday picking windows and longer weekend hours, but availability changes by crop. Check the farm’s website or social channels before driving over.

Karabin Farms

📍 894 Andrews Street, Southington, CT 06489

Pick-your-own apples began in late August for 2026 and continues through September and October on weekends, weather permitting.

PYO: Sat–Sun 9 AM–4 PM. 2026 bags: 1 peck (about 12 lb) $22; 1/2 bushel (about 20–25 lb) $42. The farm grows more than 20 varieties, including Honeycrisp, Macoun, Mutsu, Northern Spy and Gold Rush. No dogs are allowed.

Rogers Orchards — Shuttle Meadow Farm

📍 336 Long Bottom Road, Southington, CT 06489

One of two Rogers Orchards PYO locations. Apple picking opens Friday, September 4 and runs Friday through Sunday into late October, weather permitting.

PYO: Fri–Sun 10 AM–5 PM; no reservation required. Early September varieties include McIntosh, Honeycrisp and Gala. Bags are purchased before picking and outside bags are not allowed. No pets. The bakery makes cider donuts and fruit pies.

Rogers Orchards — Sunnymount Farm

📍 2876 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, Plantsville, CT 06479

Rogers’ second Southington-area PYO location follows the same 2026 apple-picking schedule as Shuttle Meadow.

PYO: Fri–Sun 10 AM–5 PM from Labor Day weekend through late October, weather permitting. No reservation required. Bags are supplied by the orchard; no pets are allowed in PYO areas.

Scott's Orchard & Nursery

📍 1838 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury, CT 06033

Scott’s is already offering PYO apples for 2026. The current picking page lists Ginger Gold, Paula Red and Gala at $2.49 per pound.

Orchard hours: Mon–Sat 8 AM–4:30 PM; Sun 8 AM–4 PM. Scott’s grows more than a dozen apple varieties into fall and offers weekend wagon rides when weather permits. Pets are not allowed in the orchard except qualifying service dogs.

Apple picking: call or check before you go

These farms are publicly listed for apple PYO, but we could not verify a specific current 2026 apple-picking opening schedule online.

Joseph Preli Farm & Vineyard

📍 235 Hopewell Road, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

Connecticut Grown listings include pick-your-own apples in season, while the farm’s current stand update confirms freshly picked Honeycrisp apples are available now.

Because the farm has not posted a specific 2026 apple-PYO opening date online, confirm picking before making a special trip. The farm also makes natural wines, hard cider and apple cider vinegar from fruit grown on the property.

Peter Draghi Farm

📍 379 Scantic Road, East Windsor, CT 06088

Long-running East Windsor fruit farm with PYO apples and other fruit plus a farm stand.

The latest detailed public listing describes PYO apples, peaches, plums, nectarines and berries from July through October, but the farm has not published a detailed 2026 apple update online. Call first for current varieties and hours.

Where to buy locally grown apples in Hartford County

No ladder required. These are worthwhile orchard and farm-market stops for fresh local apples, cider or other fall farm goods.

Applebrook Farm & Cider Mill

📍 216 East Road, Broad Brook, CT 06016

Applebrook grows the apples it sells, including more than 20 varieties and heirloom apples.

Current Connecticut farm listings say the farm presses its own unpasteurized “Grampa Tony’s” cider beginning around October. Public hours are limited and seasonal, so call before making a special trip.

Beckett Farms

📍 1269 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033

Beckett grows Cortland, Macoun, McIntosh, Mutsu and Zestar apples for fall.

The farm operates an honor-system stand and a 2026 CSA. Apple availability is seasonal, so the stand is best treated as a local-produce stop rather than a destination PYO orchard.

Bussa Orchards

📍 71 Clark Hill Road, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

A multi-generation South Glastonbury orchard growing about 30 apple varieties along with peaches, pears and plums.

Current orchard-industry listings classify Bussa as retail and wholesale, not public PYO. Stop for locally grown fruit or call for current apple availability.

Cavanna's Farm

📍 80 Woodland Street, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

Family farm operating since 1903 and specializing in apples, along with seasonal strawberries and Christmas trees.

Current state and town farm directories list Cavanna’s for apples and retail sales. Apple PYO is not clearly advertised for 2026, so this guide treats it as a buy-local stop.

Deercrest Farm

📍 3499 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, CT 06033

A strong stop if variety matters: the town’s current farm directory lists 26 apple varieties plus pears, stone fruit, berries and vegetables.

Deercrest also lists unpasteurized apple cider, hard cider, apple cider vinegar, honey and maple syrup. Current public listings support farm-market sales; apple PYO is not clearly advertised.

Draghi's Farm (E. Draghi & Sons)

📍 80 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

Large farm market and bakery carrying its own seasonal fruit, including apples, plus cider and a wide range of produce and specialty foods.

The farm’s current site says it is open daily from the end of April through December 24, with 7 AM–6 PM hours until November 1, then closing at 5 PM.

Killam & Bassette Farmstead

📍 1098 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

A current South Glastonbury farm stand selling farm-grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats, canned goods and other Connecticut products.

The town farm directory includes apples among Killam & Bassette’s fruit offerings. The 1098 Main Street stand is the main retail stop and is open daily during the core growing season.

Littel Acres Farm Market

📍 535 Griswold Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033

Current 2026 sources show Littel Acres open for the season and specializing in orchard fruit, berries, produce, bakery items and ice cream.

Apples are part of the fall orchard-fruit mix. The farm’s own site recommends checking Facebook or Instagram for the latest produce, bakery and ice-cream updates.

Lost Acres Orchard & Bakery

📍 130 Lost Acres Road, North Granby, CT 06060

Important 2026 update: Lost Acres is not allowing public apple picking this year because of weak limbs on its older trees.

The farm will pick the apples and sell them in 1/4-peck and 1/2-peck bags. Varieties include McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Northern Spy, Rome, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady and more. Standard hours: Wed–Sun 9 AM–5 PM.

Rose's Berry Farm

📍 300 Matson Hill Road, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

The farm’s current site lists apples among its seasonal crops, but specifically advertises pick-your-own berries rather than 2026 apple PYO.

Treat Rose’s as a seasonal farm stop unless the farm announces apple picking on social media. New ownership has operated the farm since 2022.

Woodland Farm

📍 615 Woodland Street, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

Small family orchard growing apples from July into winter, along with peaches, pears, plums, berries, nectarines and grapes.

Woodland presses its own small-batch unpasteurized cider beginning around the third week of September. The farm’s posted visit hours are Mon & Fri 12:30–4 PM and Sun 10 AM–2 PM; check before visiting because farm hours can change.

A fall favorite with 2026 details still pending

We found the current official listing, but it has not yet posted a 2026 opening schedule.

The Old Cider Mill / Riverview Farms

📍 1287 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033

A classic fall stop for fresh-pressed cider, locally grown apples, apple fritters, pumpkins and a petting zoo.

As of September 3, the official website still says “closed for the season” and “see you in 2026” while showing last year’s schedule. It belongs on the guide, but readers should wait for a 2026 opening announcement before heading over.

🍏 What apples are in season when?

Late August–early September: Ginger Gold, Paula Red, Zestar, Gala and early McIntosh-type varieties often lead the season.

Mid–late September: The sweet spot for variety. Look for Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Empire and more.

October: Later apples such as Mutsu, Northern Spy, Golden Delicious, Cameo, Pink Lady, EverCrisp and Gold Rush begin taking over.

Before you head out

• Check the farm the same day. Weather and heavy picking can change availability fast.
• Don’t assume dogs are allowed. Several orchards prohibit pets.
• Wear farm-friendly shoes. Orchards can be uneven, grassy or muddy.
• Expect farm-specific bags. Several orchards require their own containers.
• Go earlier on peak weekends for easier parking and the best selection.

Hartford County apple picking questions

When is the best time to pick apples in Hartford County, Connecticut?

Mid-September through early October is usually the best all-around window because more varieties overlap. Early apples begin in August, while later varieties can continue through October.

Which Hartford County orchards offer pick-your-own apples in 2026?

Current 2026 PYO options include Belltown Hill Orchards, Clark Farms at Bushy Hill, Dondero Orchards, Easy Pickin's Orchard, Karabin Farms, both Rogers Orchards locations and Scott's Orchard & Nursery. Always check day-of availability.

Where can I pick apples near Hartford, CT?

Glastonbury and South Glastonbury have the largest cluster close to Hartford, with Belltown Hill Orchards, Dondero Orchards and Scott's Orchard among the main PYO choices.

Can I buy local apples without picking them?

Yes. Hartford County has many farm stands selling locally grown apples, including Lost Acres, Applebrook, Bussa Orchards, Deercrest Farm, Woodland Farm and several Glastonbury farm markets.

Is Lost Acres Orchard offering apple picking in 2026?

No. Lost Acres says it will staff-pick its apples in 2026 because older trees have weak limbs. Apples will be sold in 1/4-peck and 1/2-peck bags instead.