Honeycrisp apples in season and ready for picking this weekend

PENFIELD, N.Y. (WHEC) — It’s that time of year again as the temperature drops and becomes the perfect weather for apple picking season. News10NBC visited Wickham Farms in Penfield and talked to families that are participating in this well-loved yearly tradition.

Although Wickham Farms is known for growing more than a dozen different types of apples, right now it’s all about the Honeycrisp apple and picking as much as you want.

With more than 5,000 trees in its orchard to pick from, Wickham Farm’s Dale Wickham says this year they’ve been very fortunate with their apple harvest.

"The crop looks awesome. The variety is looking great especially the Honeycrisp crop this year which can be a challenging apple to grow. So far the weather is cooperating, and it’s great picking weather too, and that’s half the battle," Wickham said.

People we talked to who came out Friday afternoon were all first-time apple pickers. Emma and Brandon Mance enjoyed their time picking apples with their infant daughter, Mae.

"Well, it’s been a beautiful fall day. Great way to get her outside. You know we found some great apples. Honeycrisp are definitely our favorite. It’s just been a fun family activity for a Friday evening," Mance said.

Jasmine Foster and her family are also apple-picking newbies.

"It’s fun," Foster said. "I’ve never picked apples before. So I mean, I got some nice Honeycrisp apples because they’re too expensive in the stores."

And picking the best-looking apple is quite important according to Xionariah Siler.

"If it’s red, like super red it’s juicy. It has to be good," Siler said.

Alicia Mruthyunjaya added, "My family loves ’em. I love ’em, and they’re not around for very long."

Besides apple picking, Wickham Farms also has pumpkins for picking, a petting zoo, pillow slides for children, food, and several other attractions. Wickham Farms is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and masking is optional. Unlike last year, social distancing is not required.

"The best thing that we all have here on our farm is space. You know we’re very fortunate to have 40 acres of space open to the public, and you know we’re outside," owner Dale Wickham said.

Apple and pumpkin picking at Wickham Farms lasts until Halloween.

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