Apple harvesting is made for the pandemic.
It’s an activity you do in the great outdoors, with plenty of fresh air. There are more than enough trees, usually, and there’s no need for everyone to crowd around the same one.
Of course, there are some fun things about picking apples that might not be suitable for social estrangement. Some orchards in Maine that generally have many activities for children, such as inflatable houses, cancel them this year. Cakes, cider or doughnuts will be sold outdoors in many orchards, not inside a tent or barn. Many orchards say they will rate others according to the container for more than one pound this year, to avoid long queues at cash registers.
The apple orchards you can choose from yourself in Maine are open in the fall and many of them start this weekend. Orchard homeowners statewide held an assembly this summer to talk about how to safely open and talk about things like restricting state in meetings, another hundred people, as well as the cutting touch and state requirement that a mask be used when social distance would. it may not be practiced. Most discourage others from eating apples while choosing them.
To locate an orchard near you, adding what they offer and their COVID-19 rules, stop at the Maine Pomological Society’s online page in maineapples.org. The site lists about 60 state orchards and allows you to search through the county.
Below are some examples of orchards in southern Maine and what they will offer this year.
BE RESERVED
McDougal Orchards in Springvale allows others to make online bookings for the weekend, to avoid crowds. Reservations are accepted up to 14 days in advance, but if there is space, stops are also accepted without an appointment. The orchard will have no carts or swings this year. But it will offer plenty of fruit to pick, adding apples, raspberries, pears, plums and pumpkins. The farm shop will sell selected food, baskets and products, and there will be hot apple cider fritters on sale from Labor Day weekend. The orchard will offer about 40 types of apples, but do not aromatic them during harvest, orchard managers say, and use hand washing stations around the property. For more information, visit mcdougalorchards.com.
CHOOSE YOUR VIEW
Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner rises over a hill with a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. It is also distributed in a way that facilitates social distance, since the scope of activity where young people play is a mile and a part of the authentic apple trees. There will be no inflatable space this year and there will probably be no tram ride. But there will be goats and a maze of corn. Of course, there are collection of apples and pumpkins with hand washing stations nearby, and the staff will keep abretime from the number of other people in some orchard spaces. Cider fritters will be sold in a shop window, so no one will come in. There will be entertainment on some weekends, adding juggler Jason Tardy and the handler Mr. Drew and his pets as well. For more information, add express entertainment dates, visit rickerhill.com.
ACRES OF APPLES
Apple Acres Farm in Hiram is located in the foothills of the western mountains and has qualified biological apples to choose from. All apples will be sold by bag and not by weight, and carts will be disinfected to send apples. The cottage’s dining room will serve stone-baked pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads, with a terrace and a limited number of seating inside Treehouse Room. If you need to choose apples and then buy while keeping your distance, you can do so. All pieces sold through the farm, from maple syrup to gifts and doughnuts, can be purchased on the online page and can be collected on the sidewalk. So you can choose apples outdoors, choose your new local delicacies and follow your path. The estate also welcomes live outdoor musicians on certain weekends. For more information, visit appleacresfarm.com.
Hills
Doles Orchard in Limington is located on a mountainous hill in a picturesque rural component of York County. This year, expect to have about thirty types to pick, plus raspberries. At most other orchards, are sold through bag, either to shorten rows and avoid contact. They will sell baked goods (pumpkin cakes are favorites) and will have food trucks on weekends. For more information, visit dolesorchard.com.
YOU CHOOSE
At Libby and Son U-Picks in Limerick, there’s no doubt they’re in the company they’re in. The 40-acre orchard had peaches before this year to pick up and, last week, raspberries, blueberries and apples. The orchard will manufacture and sell homemade doughnuts in a variety of flavors: cranberry, strawberry, apple cider and red velvet. Fresh fruit smoothies and hot corn can also be enjoyed. The farm has established a registration domain and asks others to start there and stick to the signs. Contactless payment must be made with credit cards or Apple/Samsung Pay. Musicians will perform all day on weekends and also some days of the week. For more information, visit libbysonupick outs.com.