BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The fall season is still a few weeks away, pick-your-own apple season has already begun at Eckert's with ripe-for-picking Maia apples at its Grafton and Belleville farms. At the Millstadt farm, apple picking is set to begin Sept. 6.
“Fall is always the busiest time of the year at Eckert’s Farm and pick-your-own apples is a great way to kick it off,” Eckert’s President Chris Eckert said in a statement. “We pride ourselves as being the largest pick-your-own farm in the nation and live up to that reputation by offering 13 different varieties of apples for guests to choose from between now and late October.”
Find the anticipated start dates for pick-your-own apple varieties below:
- Aug. 12 - Sweet Maia (Grafton and Belleville farms).
- Aug. 13 - Gala (Grafton and Belleville).
- Aug. 23-25 - Honeycrisp (Grafton and Belleville).
- Aug. 27 - Pixie Crunch (Grafton and Belleville).
- Sept. 3 - Jonathan, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious (Grafton and Belleville).
- Sept. 6 - Jonathan, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious (Millstadt).
- Sept. 20 - Suncrisp and Braeburn (Grafton, Bellville, Millstadt).
- Sept. 27 - Fuji (Grafton, Belleville, Millstadt).
- Oct. 4 - Evercrisp (Grafton, Belleville, Millstadt).
- Oct. 11 - Pink Lady (Grafton and Belleville).
- Oct. 18 - Granny Smith (Belleville only).
When varieties are ripe at each farm, apples will be available for picking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. The cost per pound varies.
A field access pass is required for picking, and admission prices vary by farm. Click here to purchase your tickets online.
Pumpkin picking is expected to begin on Sept. 27, according to Eckert's.
