A Fond Farewell to Our 2025 You-Pick Season at the Orchard

As the golden hues of autumn paint our Sierra Nevada apple fields, I'm filled with gratitude for the incredible U-Pick season we've shared with you at the farm. Your heartfelt comments, beaning smiles, and boundless enthusiasm for our first-ever U-Pick apple program have warmed our hearts beyond measure. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this season unforgettable and for reminding us why we opened our gates to share the joy of our orchards with you.

What a season it’s been!

This season marked our first venture into U-Pick, and let me tell you, it's been a smashing success! We're overjoyed by how enthusiastically you've embraced it. However, as we head into late October, we've made the bittersweet decision to end our U-Pick program for the season starting this week. As first-time hosts of this program, we haven't yet had the chance to fully assess the health of our trees post-picking, and most of the apples have been stripped from the trees! Apple trees are hardy but delicate in their own way - to ensure our orchards stay thriving for seasons to come, we'll take the rest of the season to evaluate our trees, nurture their health, and - excitingly - plant even more trees to expand our U-Pick offerings for future seasons. We're already dreaming of rows bursting with new varieties for you to explore!

But don’t pack away your Orchard boots just yet! While U-Pick may be done, mark your calendars for November 1st, when our prized Arkansas Black apples will be ready to come off the trees. These deep, tart beauties are a farm favorite, but due to their delicate nature, we don't offer U-Pick for these special trees. Stay tuned for the exact harvest date - we'll share updates soon, and we can't wait for you to savor these treasures, hand-picked by our team with care. Until then...

Our weekends are still brimming with warmth and activity! Come cozy up with us as we keep the presses humming and the ovens glowing. We’re crafting our signature applesauce, pressing fresh cider, and baking pies and treats that capture the essence of fall. Our coffee’s brewing, too, perfect for sipping as you soak in the autumn views. Plus, we’ve got plenty of crisp, delicious Empire apples available for purchase - no picking required!

This weekend, we’re rolling out two special events you won’t want to miss. Join us for a rejuvenating Yoga session amidst the Orchard’s serene beauty - a perfect way to stretch, breathe, and connect with nature. And, mark your calendars for Saturday at 9 AM, when we release our final batch of 2025’s famous apple juice. We’ll have about 100 half-gallon jugs available, limited to two per person. Last time, these sold out in just two days, so arrive early to snag yours - this sweet, golden goodness goes fast!

Our mission remains to bring the best of the Sierra Nevada from our home to yours, whether through a crisp apple, a shared laugh, or a moment of connection in our fields. Your outpouring of love this season - through your kind words, thoughtful notes, and joyful visits - has left us truly overwhelmed and deeply grateful. It's what makes every early morning, every late night, and every moment spent tending these orchards worth it.

Thank you for making our first U-Pick season a resounding success. We can't wait to welcome you back for more apple adventures, Arkansas Blacks, and the warmth of our farm family. Keep sharing your stories, and we'll keep growing the love.

With gratitude and apple-scented hugs,

The Orchard Team

P.S. Follow us on social media for updates on juice sales, weekend events, and more. See you soon! @meadowlakesorchard