Apple and Pumpkin Picking at Linvilla Orchards

If you read this post, let alone this post, this post, this post, and this post, you probably already know that I love Linvilla Orchards. While all of the aforementioned posts feature produce that Dan and I handpicked there over the summer, this post touches on my most recent visit − the fall edition, if you will. Although it was icky and rainy this past Saturday morning, it ended up being a gorgeous fall day. This time, Dan and I took my mom along because we knew she would absolutely love it there. Like me, she has a soft place in her heart for quality food and countless photo opps.

Unlike last visit, we got a chance to check out the Garden Center and the Farm Market. I encourage all crazy plant people in the area to check out the Garden Center; it’s not only incredible, but also very reasonably priced. I particularly love cacti and succulents, and they have an amazing selection of both. The best part? I finally got my hands on an aloe vera plant, which I’ve been wanting for months!

The Farm Market is also impressive. Think extremely fresh produce (most of which is Linvilla’s own) and local goods, such as pickles, jellies, and cheeses. Dan’s favorite part was easily the array of baked goods made on site. There were plenty of delectable pies to choose from, and the apple cider doughnuts were such a hit that as soon as the newest batch was cooked up, it was only a matter of minutes until they sold out.

We decided against taking a hayride out to the pumpkin patches, as there were crates upon crates upon crates of pumpkins, squash, and gourds beautifully displayed outside of the Garden Center; this area is referred to by Linvilla as “Pumpkinland.” I must say, out of all the farms I’ve been to this time of year, I’ve never seen so much variety!

Instead of heading to the pumpkin patches, it was more important to us that we check out the orchards, which is only a short walk away from the main area. There were several varieties of apples to choose from, including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Stayman Winesap, Jonagold, Idared, Empire, and Jonathan. We certainly did not skimp out on our haul; we picked our little hearts out and enjoyed the scenery until they shut down the orchards at dusk.

Please enjoy some of my favorite photos from our visit, and stay tuned for recipes involving pumpkin and apples!