Apples & Pumpkins: U-Pick Fall Produce in the D

By: Toni Cunningham | October 6, 2014
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For those of you who have been enjoying our string of fall themed articles, you’re in luck! Here to brighten your morning is the next article in our fall festivities series. Now that you’ve got some costume ideas brewing, your home decorated, pumpkin beer and chili in your belly, it’s time for another fall activity: pumpkin and apple picking!

U-pick pumpkin and u-pick apple farms are quite popular in Metro Detroit, meaning wherever you may live in southeast Michigan, there is seasonal fall produce within reach and ripe for the picking. Here are a few places worth checking out in the D:

DeBuck’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, 50240 Martz Rd., Belleville, has over 13 acres of trails, as well as a 12 acre pumpkin patch. U-pick pumpkins are available in all shapes, sizes and colors and range from $2 to $12. Take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch to make your experience extra special. Take a guess at the weight of DeBuck’s giant pumpkin, and you could win a $100 gift card!

Donahee Farms, 6055 Tower Rd., Plymouth, has over 80 acres of pumpkins where you’ll find everything from pie pumpkins to giant pumpkins. If you bring your kids, they can enjoy games, take part in pumpkin painting, take advantage of the playground, enjoy the Jumpy Pumpkin moonwalk, and visit the special kids u-pick and tiny tot u-pick pumpkin patches.

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Stony Creek Orchard & Cider Mill, 2961 W. 32 Mile Rd., Romeo, offers plenty when it comes to u-pick fall produce, including apples, pumpkins and yellow and black raspberries. You can pick your own apples between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., when the last wagon ride of the day heads out to the apple fields.

Currently, Jonathan, Empire and Red Delicious apples are ripe for the picking. Apples cost $20 for a half bushel for a group of four people on the wagon ride (any additional passengers in your group cost an extra $2 per person).

Westview Orchards, 65075 Van Dyke, Washington Twp., is a farm with both u-pick apples and pumpkins. After an afternoon of u-pick festivities, stick around for the Moonlit Maze on weekends only from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bring your own flashlight and tackle the daytime corn maze in the dark!

U-pick apples cost $49 for a bushel, $29 for a half bushel and $19 for a peck, while pumpkins cost $0.49 per pound.

Long Family Orchard, 1540 E. Commerce Rd., Commerce, has plenty of u-pick apples, including McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Jonagold and Empire this week. Head to the orchard on the weekend for some apple picking and you’ll receive a free hayride out to the field between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pumpkins here are not u-pick, but there are dozens to choose from piled outside of the barn.

Obstbaum Orchards, 9252 Curie Rd., Northville, has u-pick apples, and most recently, Honey Crisp, Cortland and Empire apples were ripe and ready for your enjoyment. Keep in mind that Obstbaum is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so be sure to plan your trip for over the weekend.

Miller’s Big Red Barn, 4900 32 Mile Rd., Washington, and Denny’s U-Pick, 4260 Gotfredson Rd., Plymouth, are two additional u-pick pumpkin patch locations worth checking out.

After you’ve selected the perfect pumpkin, take a look at our recent pumpkin carving tips to create the perfect jack-o-lantern. If you’d rather get crafty without the carving knife, try painting your pumpkin or let your imagination run wild and create your own craft. If necessary, consult Pinterest to get those creative juices flowing.

It’s time to take advantage of all things this season has to offer, Metro Detroiters. What’s a better way to do so than by heading out for an afternoon of pumpkin or apple picking on a beautiful day? Pick some good ones!

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