Once fall rolls around in Michiana, heading to a local orchard floats up on my to-do list.

There’s a simple pleasure in going out to a field of trees, enjoying the still-warm weather and low autumn sun with family or friends. Finding colorful apples in the leaves and branches of the trees is reminiscent of a treasure hunt (does anything taste better than a warm apple fresh from the tree?). And then, when I take home my pickings—inevitably too much—there are seasonal favorites like cider, apple butter and apple slab pie to look forward to. My dogs are always eager for some spare slices, too.

A multitude of apple varieties are available to local pickers, ranging from popular choices such as Honeycrisp, Gala and Fuji to niche heirloom varieties like Cox Orange Pippen, Suncrisp and Williams’ Pride.

“Longtime favorites of mine are Northern Spy and Jonathan,” says Julie Studier, co-owner of Tower Hill Farms in Sodus, MI, “Jonathan because they are a hard, sweet-tart apple, very crisp. I also like Northern Spy, not only because it was my dad’s favorite and historically only grown in Michigan, but because it is the best all-around apple: firm, a good eating apple and a wonderful pie apple.

“By the way,” she adds, “the biggest pie-making company in Ontario, Canada—Chudleigh’s—only uses Northern Spys!”

Most apple orchards sell other apple products, including cider and pies. Carey Garwood, retail operations manager at Garwood Orchards in La Porte, IN, has advice for those looking to make their own: “For baking, a mix of varieties is best for flavor, just like we use for making apple cider,” she says.

Garwood Orchards, which has been operating a market and U-pick business since the 1950s, will feature several apple varieties this year, including the lesser-known Zestar and Goldrush. “EverCrisp are a newer variety,” she says. “They’re a cross between Fuji and Honeycrisp—delicious, sweet, juicy and crunchy.”

Anyone who wants to try a new variety doesn’t have to make the trip to an orchard (though I recommend you do, if you can). Many growers bring their produce to local farmers markets. (See our lists: Northern Indiana Farmers Markets and Southwestern Michigan Farmers Markets.)

Tower Hill Farms sells produce at local markets, including the Wednesday market at Purple Porch Co-op in South Bend, IN. “We were certified organic in 2010,” Studier says. “We figured if we were going to learn how to grow fruits and vegetables, growing organically and sustainably was the most beneficial for the soil, atmosphere and ourselves.

“Mother Nature has a large hand in yearly production, so we’ve had several bumper crops, but also loss years. Coordinating spray schedules means some years we produce more apple cider than selling ‘people’ apples. Not a bad thing: Because our cider is not cooked, just UV protected, it’s been a good seller, now year round.”

Check out an orchard’s website for a list of the varieties it’s selling this year. Don’t hesitate to try something you’ve never heard of—you might find your new favorite.

Tower Hill Farms
4448 Naomi Rd.
Sodus, MI
269.944.5063
facebook.com/towerhillfarmllc

Garwood Orchards
5911 W. 50 S.
LaPorte, IN
219.362.4385
appleupick.com

Michiana Apple Orchards

U-pick and pre-picked

Community Apple Orchard
1812 E. Pierceton Rd.
Winona Lake, IN
574.551.0117
communityappleorchard.net

D&S Apple House
2235 W. U.S. 12
Niles, MI
269.684.5318

Earth First Farms
8335 Smith Rd.
Berrien Center, MI
269.815.3370
earthfirstfarms.com

Flavorland Farms
9868 Lauer Rd.
Baroda, MI
269.363.8607
facebook.com/flavorlandfarms

Forraht Farms
960 E. Lemon Creek Rd.
Berrien Springs, MI
269.473.1730
facebook.com/forrahtfruitfarms

Frank Farms
8249 Deans Hill Rd.
Berrien Center, MI
269.461.3455
frankfarms.com

Garwood Orchards
5911 W. 50 S.
LaPorte, IN
219.362.4395
garwoodorchard.com

Hildebrand Fruit Farm
10267 Garr Rd.
Berrien Springs, MI
269.471.1682
hildebrandfruit.com

Hillside Orchards
8198 Fleisher Ln.
Berrien Springs, MI
269.471.7558

Holloway Apple Orchards
1737 Smith Rd.Buchanan, MI
269.695.5069
facebook.com/hollowayappleorchards

Jersey Isle Orchard
16881 S. 1050 W.
Wanatah, IN
219.476.6766
facebook.com/jerseyisleorchard

Kercher Sunrise Orchards
19498 C.R. 38Goshen, IN
574.533.6311
kerchersorchard.com

Lehman’s Orchard
2280 Portage Rd.
Niles, MI
269.683.9078
lehmansorchard.com

Pavolka Fruit Farm
1776 N. Wozniak Rd.
Michigan City, IN
219.874.6056
pavolkafruitfarm.com

Prillwitz Fruit Farms
7196 E. Main St.
Eau Claire, MI
269.461.6720
facebook.com/prillwitzfruitfarms

Radke’s Orchards
8999 W. 200 N.
Michigan City, IN
219.872.3140
radkeorchards.com

Shafer Farm
9800 Hartline Rd.
Baroda, MI
269.422.1972
theshaferfarmllc.com

Sprague’s Family Fun Farm
33120 Middle Crossing Rd.
Dowagiac, MI
269.782.8578
spraguesfamilyfunfarm.com

Springhope Farm
18720 Cleveland Ave.
Galien, MI
269.545.8313
springhopefarm.com

Stover’s Farm Market
7837 M-139
Berrien Springs, MI
269.471.1401
stoversfarms.com

Tower Hill Farms
4448 Naomi Rd.
Sodus, MI
269.944.5063
facebook.com/towerhillfarmllc

Tree-Mendus Fruit
9351 E. Eureka Rd.
Eau Claire, MI
269.782.7101
treemendus-fruit.com

Twin Maple Orchards
15352 Cleveland Ave.
Galien, MI
269.545.8840
twinmapleorchards.com

Williams Orchard
9456 N. 500 E.
Rolling Prairie, IN
219.440.1515
williamsorchard.com

Yellow River Farms
8535 IN-8
Knox, IN
574.772.2581
yellowriverfarms.com