An apple-picking newbie, the thought crossed my mind that I might be crazy for taking knee-and-thigh high children to an apple orchard for an afternoon of gleaning a few bags of ripe Galas; after all, I’d thought apples grew way up high, sprouting off of branches that necessitated a ladder for picking.
As we stepped foot onto the orchard at All Seasons Orchard, I was pleasantly surprised by just how many beautifully formed and ripened apples were low enough for my preschooler to pick.
In fact, there were so many {even the day immediately following Labor Day — a high-traffic picking time}, he gathered enough apples to fill his entire bag.
And two more.
As we walked through the well-maintained orchard aisles, my four-year-old beamed as we talked about how apples grow and he carefully inspected each apple before gently pulling it away from the branch.
Even my two-year-old, who rode on my back in a carrier, enjoyed our excursion in the tree-lined orchard, shaded from the early September sun by the trees as he reached over my shoulder to lightly brush his fingers against the leaves and apples.
Though we enjoyed our actual apple-picking experience a great deal, both of my boys, especially my oldest, were equally excited that a wagon-pulled tractor transported us to the orchard, giving us a panoramic view of the sprawling, hilly farm fields surrounding the orchard. {OK, they were excited about the tractor, watching it intently. I was excited about the view. Win-win, no?}
Aside from boasting a rather fruitful u-pick apple orchard, All Seasons Orchard also features harvest-time activities like a corn maze and u-pick pumpkin patch. And the farm hasn’t forgotten about favorite open-space activities: little ones can jump on the giant jumping pillow, take a ride on the Cow Train, feed bunnies at the petting farm or jump up on bails of hay to pose as cows or scarecrows. {But be advised that certain attractions don’t operate during slower parts of the week; my boys only sat in the Cow Train because there wasn’t a moving tractor to pull it that particular week day They were satisfied with climbing atop of this one on display, though.}
The boys and I needed a little rest and relaxation after we’d filled our apple bags and explored the sprawling grounds, so we headed to the cafe. Again, maybe because it was a very-slow weekday, there was no one around to actually take our order for at least 15 minutes. We were helped by a friendly employee, but the wait was almost too much for my thirsty little guys. Luckily, once the gentleman arrived to actually operate the cash register, he also gifted the littles with complimentary caramel apples. They enjoyed their snacks and I mine on a stone-paved patio with water fountains trickling at the edge of where the patio met the farm grounds. Had it not been for two sugared-up little boys, it would have been very serene.
Also, noteworthy? This is a week-day adventure that keeps on giving. Our apples, which are sprayed minimally with pesticides, are still good {housed in the refrigerator} two weeks after picking. As soon as we finish off the rest of this bag, I’m sure we’ll be heading back to pick more varieties. And maybe catch a ride on the cow train.
All Seasons Orchard
14510 IL Route 176Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-5637 | [email protected]
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Open September – November see website for hours.
Have you been to All Seasons? What’s your favorite part?
Hyacynth Worth is wife to John and mother to two boys and three girls. She writes about motherhood, healthy living and faith and is the author of Homesteading with Hyacynth. She promises to be candid, amusing and only slightly neurotic. Most of the time.
We passed this on our way home from Wisconsin, now I can’t wait to check it out! Thanks for sharing!
We love this place, too!