There is nothing quite like the dopamine-release of picking your own fruit, and Southern Vermont has plenty of opportunities to do that.
At Harlow’s Sugar House, a year-round sugarhouse that also hosts blueberry- and apple-picking, owner and manager Todd Harlow is pleased so far with how his crops are shaping up. Pick-your-own blueberry season starts around the Fourth of July, and apple-picking season starts around the second or third week of September.
“This year, we have a really great crop both of apples and blueberries. Everything seems to be looking really good. As long as the rain does its thing, then we should have a great crop,” Harlow said.
This is an improvement from last year, when a late frost and near-constant rain spoiled the crops.
“But, we made it through and we’re looking forward to a great season this year,” Harlow said.
Visitors to Harlow’s Sugar House, 556 Bellows Falls Road, Putney, can grab their pick-your-own buckets there, then head out to the picking fields. Don’t forget to grab a maple creemee when you’re done.
Other local picking spots are: Terry’s Orchard in Bennington, The Blueberry House in Bennington, Dwight Miller Orchard in Dummerston, Mad Tom Orchard in East Dorset, Dutton Berry Farm in Newfane, Green Mountain Orchards in Putney, Clear Brook Farm in Shaftsbury, Olallie Daylily Gardens in South Newfane, Harlow Farm in Westminster and Boyd Family Farm in Wilmington.
Be sure to check the website or social media pages for your picking farm of choice for hours and crop conditions.
Kristopher Radder is a photographer for the Brattleboro Reformer. Often compared to Ed Sheeran in looks, or Prince Harry pending on his hair, he can be often found with a camera in hand ready to capture life in Southern Vermont.
