Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make a reservation?

What should I wear when I visit?

What is the minimum amount of apples I can pick?

How much does it cost to pick apples?

Do you accept credit cards?

Where can I find information about the apples you sell on your farm?

Can I bring my dog?

Do you have Apple Cider?

Can I climb the apple trees?

Are there any hazards?

Do you spray your apples?

Is there a way of getting to your farm via mass transit?

Can I have a picnic?

Can I make arrangements for a group to go picking?

Can I have a birthday party/event at your farm?

Can I have my wedding or large party event on your farm?

Can I have a photo session with my family or friends at the farm?


Q: Do I need to make a reservation?

A: There are no reservations needed to visit our farm except for Christmas trees. We operate on a first come, first served basis to visit the bakery, farm market, corn maze, wine tasting, apple and pumpkin picking. For Christmas trees during the 2023 season, we will REQUIRE all customers to make RESERVATIONS to be admitted to the Christmas tree plantation to cut a tree from the field OR to the area to select a pre-cut tree from Saturday, November 25th and Friday, December 1st, 2023. After December 1st there are no reservations needed for Christmas trees. This applies to BOTH pre-cut and Choose-n-cut Christmas trees. Please visit our Christmas tree page for more details. For information about groups please see here and for information about party space rental please see here.


Q: What should I wear when I visit?

A: We recommend wearing closed toe sneakers or shoes with tall socks and pants.  The farm is a typical orchard with long grass and uneven ground.


Q: How much does it cost to pick apples?

A: Prices vary depending on weather and variety of apples we are picking so please email us at wilkensfruitfarm@gmail.com for details. Please note that there is no admission  or parking fee. We only charge for the apples you pick!  With that being said there is a minimum to enter the the orchard.


 

Q: What is the minimum number of apples I can pick?

A: There is a 1/4 bushel (1 peck) minimum (11 pounds) for every 1 or 2 people to enter the orchard or a 1/2 bushel minimum(22 pounds) for every 3 to 4 people. If that is too much, there are smaller quantities of pre-picked apples available in the Farm Market.


Q: Do you accept credit cards?

A: Yes, we accept most major credit cards and cash for payment.


 

Q: Where can I find info about the apples you sell on your farm?

A: Click this link to go to the apple info page.


Q: Can I bring my dog?

A: Due to health regulations we regrettably cannot allow dogs or pets in our fields, orchards or shops. It is best to leave your furry friend at home. Service dogs trained to do work or perform a task for person with disabilities are permitted. Comfort or emotional support animals are not service animals, and are not recognized by the ADA.


Q: Do you have Apple Cider?

A: Yes. Cider is available starting the third week in September due to the need of at least 5 varieties ripe in order to make it taste right. The cider is not pasteurized, however it is UV treated, which is approved by the NYS Health Department. The flavor changes throughout the season due to the different apple mix and sweetness of the apples. The cider freezes well, however make sure the it is defrosted completely and shake well after thawing. Apple Cider has various health benefits including natural pectin, fiber and antioxidants. The cider making process includes washing the apples, grinding them followed by pressing and a partial filter through cider blankets. Cider can be cloudy because healthy pulp is included. Pressed pulp is called pomace which is composted or fed to animals.


Q: Can I climb the apple trees?

A: No, this is not allowed because the tree branches are often weak, hollow and may break. Many of our larger trees are nearly 100 years old and therefore fragile. Our little, younger trees also aren’t designed to hold for climbing either. We do have picking poles that can be rented to reach apples that are higher up on the trees.


Q: Are there any hazards?

A: Every farm has natural hazards that consist of wasps and yellow jackets (avoid swatting or fast movements – move like a statue!), woodchuck holes (watch where you walk), poison ivy (wear shoes and socks; consider gloves; use ivy block or hand lotion on uncovered skin; bring baby wipes for quick wipe-down). We cannot spray herbicide to kill poison ivy because that would also kill the apple trees, so we cut it by hand and mow as much as possible. We encourage you to wash your hands with Tecnu soap if you believe you may have come in contact with poison ivy during your visit.


Q: Do you spray your apples?

A: Yes.  We use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to keep our trees and the environment healthy. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.


Q: Is there a way of getting to your farm via mass transit?

A: Yes. You can take the Metro-North(Hudson Line) train to Croton-Harmon or Peekskill station and a taxi/Uber/Lyft from there. The ride to the farm is approximately 15 minutes.


Q: Can I have a picnic?

A: No, the picnic tables available on the farm are for consumption of foods purchased on the premises only. No outside food is permitted.

We encourage the use of FDR State Park ¼ mile east of Farm on the other side of the Taconic Parkway. (Go out the farm, turn right, at the bottom of the hill turn left, at the light turn right and the park is ¼ mile down on the right hand side). The park has lovely facilities for grilling, fields for soccer, softball and nets for volleyball, some bathrooms and plenty of picnic tables and parking.


Q: Can I make arrangements for a group to go picking?

A: This 2023 season we will be hosting group reservations only on Fridays.  We will not have any groups nor buses scheduled for the weekends as our farm gets quite crowded or other weekdays as our farm doesn’t have the staff to accommodate. With that being said your group is welcome to come  another time and pick following our general guidelines and following the usual minimum picking requirements to enter the orchard. Please note no buses are allowed on Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day.

Reservations can be made for Fridays(groups of 15+ persons) including but not limited to schools, scouts, church groups and others. Email wilkensfruitfarm@gmail.com for more information and we will get back to you in a couple days when the farm is open. We start taking reservations on August 1st.


Q: Can I have a birthday party/event at your farm?

A: During the 2023 harvest season we will not be hosting any party reservations or offering the usual special party tent to reserve. We do not have an areas available.


Q: Can I have my wedding or large party event at your farm?

A: Yes, we do rent our land and facilities for weddings and large events. Email wilkensfruitfarm@gmail.com for more information.


Q: Can I have a photo session with my family or friends at the farm?

A: Yes, we offer photo shoot by reservation only on weekdays in November when we are open: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays except from Thanksgiving week on (11/20/2023-11/30/2023). For a 2 hour time slot it is a $250 site fee. The photographer must have proof of certificate of insurance prior to the session. Please email wilkensfruitfarm@gmail.com to arrange.