Chester County’s orchards and farm stands are open for the season, and if you know where to go, the picking is good for fresh seasonal fruit, write Anne E. Hill and Ben Silver for Main Line Today.
Fruit-picking has become one of Chester County’s signature seasonal draws, with family farms and working orchards scattered across the region offering fresh-picked produce and a genuine taste of the Pennsylvania countryside.
Whether you’re after a bucket of blueberries in July or a bushel of apples in October, there’s an orchard for that.
Highland Orchards in West Chester is the county’s heavy hitter. Family-owned for more than 80 years, the 200-acre operation grows around 16 different crops and draws visitors from across the region throughout the season.
The pick list is extensive: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, pears, apples, and pumpkins, depending on the time of year. Come fall, the orchard layers on festival programming, a bakery, and the apple cider donuts that have developed something of a cult following.
For another outing, Barnard’s Orchards in Kennett Square is worth the trip. The family-run farm keeps things simple with blueberries, blackberries, peaches, and an impressive lineup of more than 30 apple varieties once fall arrives.
The 74-acre farm also posts regular picking condition updates on social media, a handy feature before making the drive.
Near Malvern, Sugartown Strawberries has built a devoted following around its late spring strawberry season, but the farm’s appeal stretches well beyond June. Sunflower fields draw visitors in summer, and families circle back in fall for berries, pumpkins, and other farm activities that have made it a seasonal staple for many Chester County households.
Rounding out the list, Weaver’s Orchard in nearby Morgantown offers pick-your-own opportunities across multiple fruits throughout the growing season, a reliable option for those venturing slightly beyond the county line.
Read the full guide to Chester County’s top fruit-picking destinations in Main Line Today.
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