It’s September, and that means those of us who have been waiting to get visibly excited about fall are finally allowed. (I’ve been keeping it in since like, July, tbh.) It’s now time for PSLs, pumpkin ale, pumpkin scones, Halloween costume planning and horror movie watching. I am truly in my element again. One fall activity I never tire of is apple picking. It’s the best way to experience nature in the fall, I think. This is the month to find a U-Pick orchard and stock up on pommes. Get out to one of these orchards in and around the GTA now!

Chudleigh’s (9528 Halton Regional Road 25, Milton)

Chudleigh’s Farm in Milton is one of the most popular public farms in Ontario – about an hour drive from downtown Toronto. It’s got wagon rides, a hay maze, pony rides, farm animals – the whole bit. You can pick twenty-two varieties of apples (see when each is available) daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, and admission is $8. Brace yourself for school trips if you dare to go during the week.

Pine Farms Orchard (2700 16th Side Rd, King)

This farm rests on 100 acres of land just south of Newmarket (it started as a log cabin, swoon). It has small “dwarf trees” with twenty-one types of apples available through to October. Picking times are from 9 AM to 5 PM every day. It’s $3 admission on weekends, and you pay for your apples by the pound. Go for a hike along the Oak Ridges to see some peak-season fall leaves.

Watson Farm (2287 Regional Highway 2, Bowmanville)

This farm / petting zoo is about half an hour east of Oshawa. Apples are $28 for a 20 lb bag, with part bags $2 per lb. The farm is open seven days a week 9 AM – 6 PM, and there’s no admission fee. If you come on a weekend, you can hop on a free tractor ride for lols.

Applewood Farm Winery (12416 McCowan Rd, Stouffville)

Applewood Farm Winery is one of Ontario’s first U-Pick farms. Admission is $7.50, and apples are $20 for a 20 lb bag. It’s open weekends 9 AM – 5 PM and Wednesday – Friday, 12 – 5 PM. There are free hayrides to the far orchard and a pumpkin patch. Or you could just go directly to the winery and grab a local apple wine.

Carl Laidlaw Orchards (9496 Heritage Rd, Brampton)

This is a 100 acre farm overlooking the Credit River where it winds through Huttonville, a farming community in Brampton. A wagon will drive you through the orchards, which grow twenty different varieties of apples. You can also make a PIE and visit the pumpkin patch and barn market. Open 9 AM – 5 PM on weekends.

The Big’r Apple Farm (8674 Heritage Road, Brampton)

This is a no-nonsense orchard with 100 acres of land only about forty-five mins from downtown Toronto. Pick apples and veggies (pumpkins, squash, zucchini, and sweet peas). Weekend picking times are 9 AM to 2 PM, and weekday picking times are 10 AM to 6 PM.