10 Best Places to Go Apple Picking in Nova Scotia
If you’re looking for the best places to go apple picking in Nova Scotia, you’re in luck! The Annapolis Valley is one of the best places in Canada to grow apples and many farms offer opportunities to pick your own apples.
Apple picking is such a fun, family activity and a great way to celebrate the beginning of the fall season. Some orchards also offer fun activities, like wagon rides, corn mazes and farm stands where you can purchase other apple products.
So if you’re looking to get out with family or friends, here’s a list of where you can pick your own apples. What better way to spend a fall afternoon than going apple picking in Nova Scotia?
When is the best time to go apple picking in Nova Scotia?
Late September to mid-October is the best time to go apple picking in Nova Scotia, although some varieties are ready to be picked in early to mid-September.
Best Apple Picking in Nova Scotia
As mentioned earlier, the Annapolis Valley is one of the best areas in Canada to grow apples, and this is where you’ll find most of the apple orchards in Nova Scotia. The Valley is also a great place to see the fall colours in Nova Scotia.
1. Noggins Corner Farm Market
📍9969 Hwy #1 Greenwich, NS
A local family favourite, Noggins Corner Farm Market is ‘the place’ to go to pick apples. And with 52 different varieties of apples, there are plenty of types of apples to choose from!
Throughout the growing season, you can also pick pears, peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, nectarines and raspberries, although their main crop is apples.
In addition to apple picking in the fall, there’s also a huge corn maze, wagon rides on the weekends, picnic tables and family fun areas.
It’s free to enter the orchards, but there is an admission fee to the corn maze. Prices for apples vary depending on the amount of apples you pick. Dogs are allowed in the orchards, but not on the wagon ride, and must be on a leash at all times.
Cost: $4 for 2-3lbs, $8 for 6-8lbs and $14 for 10-12 lbs.
Open: September 9 – October 31
Hours: Monday to Friday 11-5, Saturday and Sunday 10-6
2. Elderkin’s Farm Market & U-Pick
📍10362 Highway 1, Wolfville
Family owned and operated since 1760, Elderkin’s Farm is one of the most visited U-pick places in Nova Scotia. Along with apples, you can also pick pears and pumpkins.
The orchard is popular with families and can be busy on weekends in the fall, but you can also pick up fresh apples or their famous apple cider in their store.
Cost: $1.50 per pound, Honeycrisp are $2.50/lb
Open: Early September until the end of October; farm market is open year-round
Hours: 8 am to 9 pm daily, open at 9 am Sundays
3. Daniels U-Pick
📍4499 Hwy 14, Windsor Forks
Open for over 40 years, Daniels U-Pick is another local favourite just outside of Windsor, NS.
Pick your own apples, as well as pears and plums, or pick up fresh-picked apples, pears, plums, squash and pumpkins at their farm stand, as well as homemade jams, honey, apple cider and baked goods, like pies, cookies and bread.
Open: August 15 – November 15
Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Monday to Saturday, 12 – 6 pm Sunday
4. Boates Farm
📍432 Bligh Road, Woodville Kings County
If you’re looking for organic fruit, head to Boates Farm! They are the only U-pick in Nova Scotia where you can find 100% organic apples and pears.
With 8 varieties of apples, including Gravenstein, the popular McIntosh and Red Delicious, as well as Russets and my favourite, Cortland, as well as Bartlett and Bosc pears, there is plenty of options for fruit to pick.
Fun fact: McIntosh is the most popular variety of apple in Canada.
In addition to picking organic apples and pears, Boates Farm also offers delicious fresh cider and apple cider vinegar.
Dogs are permitted at the U-pick, as long as they are on a leash.
Open: September 2 – end of October
Hours: Daily 9 am – 5 pm
5. Willowbank U-Pick Farm
📍110 Starr’s Point Loop, Port Williams
Willowbank is a working farm but is open to the public in the fall. In addition to apple orchards, it’s also one of the best pumpkin patches near Halifax, and they also have a petting zoo and corn maze, as well as wagon rides and pony rides on weekends.
There is no charge to enter the farm, but prices for apples vary depending on how much you pick.
Dogs are welcome on the farm, but not in the petting zoo.
Parking is available in the orchard, making it accessible for everyone, including wheelchairs that are suitable for a lawn, however, it is not paved.
*Cash or debit is accepted, and credit cards with an additional fee.
Cost: $15 for 10lb, $25 for 20 lb
Open: September to late October
Hours: 9 am – 5:30 pm daily (including holidays)
6. Dempsey Corner Orchards
📍2717 Highway 221, RR#3, Aylesford, NS
Dempsey Corner Orchards is another family-owned U-pick in the heart of the Annapolis Valley.
Boasting over 57 varieties of apples, as well as pears, peaches, plums and grapes, there’s plenty to pick at Dempsey Orchards.
There’s also a farm-themed playground, as well as a petting zoo and corn maze for families to enjoy.
Dogs are welcome if leashed.
Cost: $2 admission fee to pick apples or to visit the petting zoo
Hours: Monday to Thursday 10-5, Friday 10-7, Saturday 10-5, closed Sunday
7. Gates U-Pick
📍1263 Starrs Point Road, Port Williams
Gates U-Pick is another great choice when deciding where to go apple picking in Nova Scotia, and one of the few orchards that encourages free sampling of the fruit while picking!
In addition to apples, Gates also has pears, pumpkins and sunflowers during the fall months, and a separate ‘no spray’ area to harvest from.
There’s a free wagon ride into the orchard on weekends, as well as picnic tables and ducks and geese on the ponds.
Pets are welcome, as long as they are on a leash.
Open: September and October
Hours: Daily 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, including holidays
8. Foote Family Farm
📍1972 Woodville Road, Woodville
This family-run farm grows apples, pears, plums and cherries. Stop by to pick apples, or visit the animals and have a picnic in the orchard.
Foote Family Farms also has a tradition of beekeeping and honey products are sold on the farm.
**Foote Family Farms no longer offers U-pick, but you can buy pre-picked apples at the farm. Debit and credit are not accepted
9. Apple Lane Farm
📍54 Prospect Road, Morristown
Growing apples on a farm that’s been passed down from generation to generation, Apple Lane Farm is primarily a fruit farm with over 25 varieties of apples.
They also grow pears, peaches, cherries, plums and raspberries, as well as vegetables and fresh flowers, which can be purchased at their farm stand.
Prices include 5 lbs of U-pick apples and a personalized apple tasting, or a kids’ price, which includes a 3 lb bag and personalized apple tasting.
Hours: 8 am – 5 pm Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays
10. Stonehenge Farm
📍2380 Harmony Road, Aylesford
For a unique twist on apple picking, Stonehenge Farm lets you adopt your own apple tree.
With the adoption, a certificate is placed underneath your tree and then you can pick all the apples you want from that tree for the year.
Cost: $75 per tree for a year’s harvest
Hours: Visits are by appointment only.
Types of Nova Scotia Apples
| Cortland | mild, crisp, sweet | good for pies and baking, freezes well *doesn’t brown when cut, great on salads |
| Empire | crisp, tart, juicy | best for eating fresh |
| McIntosh | tart, juicy, low acid | good for applesauce |
| Gravenstein | juicy, tart | best for applesauce, freezing, baking |
| Idared | tart, low acid | best for pies and baking *available February to July |
| Red Delicious | sweet, juicy | best for eating fresh |
| Honeycrisp | sweet, juicy, crisp | best for pies or eating fresh |
| Gala | sweet, crisp | best for eating |
| Spartan | tart, crisp | best for pies or to make applesauce |
| Northern Spy | sweet, crisp | best for baking and pies, also freezes well |
Tips for Picking Apples
- When picking apples off the tree, twist the stem of the apple, don’t pull.
- Don’t wash apples until ready to use.
- Store in the fridge or a cool, dark room.
- Don’t store apples with cucumbers, broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower, or leafy greens like spinach or lettuce.
- If apples begin to get soft, make applesauce!
Where to Find Apples in Nova Scotia
As mentioned earlier, the Annapolis Valley is one of the best places to find apples in Nova Scotia.
The climate here is perfect for growing apples, as it’s sheltered from strong winds, and the Bay of Fundy keeps the temperature from getting too hot or too cold, which is perfect for growing apples.
Nova Scotia apples are a brilliant red colour, due to a combination of warm days and cool nights, which makes Nova Scotia’s apples a unique brilliant red.
FAQ: Apple Picking in Nova Scotia
The best time to pick apples in Nova Scotia is from late September to early October, although some varieties, like Idared, are ready earlier.
Honeycrisp is the most popular variety grown in Nova Scotia, although Gravenstein, Cortland and Spy apples are common as well.
There are so many things you can do with apples! Aside from eating fresh apples, cooking is one of the most popular things to do with apples. Apple pie, apple crumble or even apple cake are great, easy ways to use up apples. You can also dry apples and dried apple slices make for a great snack. You can also freeze sliced or cut apples and then have apples ready to bake with year-round. We love to make applesauce or make apple butter in the slow cooker.
Final Thoughts: Best Places to Go Apple Picking in Nova Scotia
Apple picking is a fun activity to do in the fall and there so many great places to go apple picking in Nova Scotia. Whether you’re looking to pick apples for pies and baking, or simply to eat fresh, there are plenty of varieties to choose from at these orchards.
Beyond picking apples, many of these farms also provide additional attractions, from corn mazes to wagon rides, making it an ideal family outing in the fall season. So grab your baskets and head out to pick some fresh apples.
More Inspiration for Your Nova Scotia Bucket List
10 Best Places to Go Apple Picking in Nova Scotia
13 Fun Things to do in Nova Scotia in September
Where to Find the Best Pumpkin Patches Near Halifax
Best Places to See the Fall Colours in Nova Scotia
11 Things to Do in Nova Scotia in the Fall
Best Ghost Tours in Nova Scotia
The Most Haunted Places in Nova Scotia
