You Might Accidentally Be Breaking These 7 Apple Orchard Etiquette Tips: What Experts Want You to Know

Taking a trip to the pumpkin patch or apple orchard is almost a requirement for fall. It’s a beautiful way to enjoy the crisp autumn air, enjoy the changing leaves, sip apple cider, and snack on treats like apple cider donuts or caramel apples. But in order to make sure you have a great day at the orchard alongside friends, family, and every other visitor, there are a few etiquette tips everyone should follow before they grab a basket and start walking the rows of trees.

We got insider tips from a few different orchards on what they wish guests knew before they start picking, and how to make sure you leave the fields in great condition so everyone else can enjoy this fall tradition too.

1. Check the Orchard’s Guidelines Before You Head Out

“Most orchards have posted signs outlining their picking rules,” says Steve Black, owner of Center Grove Orchard. “These aren’t just for show—they help protect the trees, the fruit, and the land while ensuring everyone has a great experience.”

Make sure you review the guidelines before you pick any apples; it might even come in handy to check the orchard’s website before you leave home. Many farms will probably have similar rules, such as not climbing on the trees and only picking what you intend to use, but some might also have additional guidelines asking visitors not to bring backpacks or to leave pets at home.

2. Know Where You Can (And Can’t) Pick Apples

For any you-pick produce, many farms will designate certain areas for users to harvest from. If an orchard tells you to stay in a certain area, they’re most likely guiding you to the ripest fruit at the time, or might also be directing groups to different rows to prevent overcrowding in any one area. If you’re told to pick from a certain row or area of trees, make sure you stick to that section, even if you see other guests picking in different places.

“Be aware that different apple varieties ripen at various times throughout the season, so ensure you are picking in the correct, designated rows for the best experience,” says Esther Hong of All Seasons Orchard. And if you’re looking to harvest a specific variety of apple, call ahead before visiting to guarantee your favorite apples will be ripe during your trip.

3. Examine Apples on the Tree Before Picking

Before picking any apple, take a good look to see if it’s ripe. “Apples ripen at different times, even on the same tree, so use color as your guide,” Black says. “Look for bright, full color and avoid blemishes if you want the best fruit.” By checking for ripeness before picking, you can also avoid ending up with too many unwanted apples. An apple that isn’t ripe for you might be perfect in a few days for another orchard visitor.

But if you pluck an apple before it’s ready by accident, don’t toss it on the ground or leave it. Discarded apples can attract pests and make the orchard more difficult to navigate for other guests. “Once you’ve picked an apple, it’s yours! Avoid tossing apples on the ground or sampling too many as you go,” Black says.

4. Use the Perfect Picking Technique

Don’t pull down on an apple to pluck it from the tree. Instead, use the twist technique. “Grab the branch with one hand and the apple with the other, then twist the apple off gently,” Hong says. Pulling down on apples can damage the tree, affecting next year’s apple crop. Ripe apples will also twist off easily, so if you’re struggling to pick a piece of fruit, it’s probably not quite ready yet.

5. Leave Fallen Apples on the Ground

Chances are, you won’t want to take home a fallen apple anyway (it might be bruised or have unwanted pests feasting on it). But if your trip to the orchard is a family outing, apples on the ground might be tempting for young kids, especially if they can’t reach the branches on the trees. Fallen apples aren’t safe to eat, and they also shouldn’t be thrown or kicked (this could damage trees in the orchard or disrupt other visitors).

You also might feel like you’re helping the orchard by “cleaning up” fallen apples, but it’s best to just leave them alone. “Orchards have their own process for managing fruit on the ground—leave those apples for the orchard team to handle,” Black says.

6. Avoid Overpicking

It’s easy to get caught up as you’re looking for perfect apples, but try to be mindful of how many you’re taking home. Three medium-size apples will be close to one pound, and most pies use between two or three pounds of apples. If you’re just picking apples for eating and snacking, you probably won’t need more than a couple of pounds per person. Once you get home, you can also make sure your apples last as long as possible by storing them in the fridge with good air circulation, which can help them stay fresh for several weeks.

7. Be Respectful of the Orchard, the Land, and Other Visitors

Everyone deserves to have a beautiful fall day at the orchard, and you can help make the experience great by respecting the land. Walk, don’t run when you’re picking, and try not to shout across the rows to other members of your group. It’s also important to stay on the ground, even if the perfect apple is just out of reach. “Don’t climb trees or break branches,” Black says. “It might seem harmless, but it can damage the tree and affect future harvests.”

Following a few simple etiquette rules will not only make your trip to the orchard better, but it’ll help make the experience great for everyone who visits. Taking good care of your local apple orchard also ensures you can keep visiting and harvesting for years to come!