Baugher’s Orchard & Farm
410-848-5541
Where: Westminster, Maryland
Miles from Downtown Washington: 63
Pumpkins: Head over to this 100-year-old farm for gourds priced at 49 cents per pound.
Apples: Apple season is coming to a close but a limited supply of Fuji, Red and Gold Delicious, Empire, Jonagold, and Shizuka apples can still be found in the new orchard. $1.29 per pound.
Added Fun: One dollar hayrides to the pumpkin patch and orchard offer visitors a scenic view of the surrounding countryside.
Hours: Picking hours for the month of October are Saturdays and Sundays, 10 to 5.
Butler’s Orchard
301-972-3299
Where: Germantown, Maryland
Miles from Downtown Washington: 33
Pumpkins: The pick-your-own pumpkin patch offers prime gourds for 65 cents per pound.
Apples: Apple season is winding down at the farm, but a small quantity of Golden Delicious and Stayman apples are still on the trees for scattered picking at $1.59 per pound.
Added Fun: Hayrides, hayloft jumps, and giant slides are just a few of the amusements found at Butler’s Orchard’s Pumpkin Festival, open every weekend in October from 10 to 5. Admission is $5.
Hours: Pick-your-own fields open Tuesday through Sunday 9:30 to 5:30.
Homestead Farm
301-977-3761 (for a recorded message of picking conditions)
Where: Poolesville, Maryland
Miles from Downtown Washington: 25
Pumpkins: Pick-your-own pumpkins are swelling in size and are available for 59 cents per pound.
Apples: A wide variety of apples are prime for picking right now, including Fuji, Jonagold, Cameo, Sun Crisp, and Braeburn. All apples are $1.79 per pound.
Added Fun: Public hayrides to the pumpkin patches are offered Saturday and Sunday 9:30 to 4:30. Look for squash and fall mums in the on-site market, open 9 to 6.
Hours: Picking fields are open daily from 9 to 5.
301-865-3515
Where: Mount Airy, Maryland
Miles from Downtown Washington: 47
Apples: Fuji and Cameo apples are currently up for grabs at $1.59 per pound. Be sure to call ahead before visiting the orchard, as it is only open when apples are available.
Pumpkins: Catch a free hayride to the patch on the weekends to score a primo gourd for 49 cents per pound. Fifteen acres of designated pick-your-own land guarantees there will be plenty of pumpkins to go around through the month of October.
Added Fun: As part of the farm’s Fall Fun Nights, guests can reserve their own campfire site for $50 and enjoy more than 40 different activities including slides, trains, and an obstacle course.
Hours: Daily 10 to 6, and Saturday and Sunday 6 to 9.
Great Country Farms
540-554-2073
Where: Bluemont, Virginia
Miles from Downtown Washington: 58
Pumpkins: Multiple varieties are ready to be picked, including the stately pink Porcelain Doll pumpkin—all proceeds from which are donated to breast cancer research. Gourds go for 59 cents per pound.
Apples: Not Available
Added Fun: Enjoy a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch for $8 for children and $10 for adults. Included in adult admission is a tasting of three wines at Bluemont Vineyard across the way.
Hours: Daily 9 to 6.
Larriland Farm
301-854-6110
Where: Columbia, Maryland (for a recorded message of picking conditions)
Miles from Downtown Washington: 40
Pumpkins: Pumpkin conditions are excellent and are expected to stay so through October—pick some here for 59 cents per pound.
Apples: Five varieties are ripe and ready to pick: Empire, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Magnolia Gold, and Ida Red. Check back in late October for more choices, including Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Fuji. Apples are $1.49 per pound.
Added Fun: A spooky Boo Barn and a child-friendly straw maze will be open every day for an additional fee.
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9 to 6, and Saturday and Sunday 9 to 5.
Stribling Orchard
540-364-3040
Where: Markham, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley
Miles from Downtown Washington: 59
Pumpkins: Not available
Apples: Boasting almost 30 acres of apple trees, the orchard currently carries an assortment of pick-your-own fruit, including McIntosh, Jonagold, and Golden and Red Delicious. Gala and Honeycrisp are also available pre-picked.
Added Fun: The on-site bakery in the harvest house cranks out homely fall classics on the weekends—stock up on treats such as apple pie and apple-cinnamon raisin bread.
Hours: Picking fields and harvest house open Tuesday through Sunday 9 to 4:30.
240-216-4065
Where: Waldorf, Maryland
Miles from Downtown Washington: 32
Apples: Not available.
Pumpkins: Zekiah offers pre-picked pumpkins from its patch through November at 37 cents per pound.
Added Fun: Head to the ten-acre corn maze the Saturday before Halloween for trick-or-treating as you navigate its three miles of pathways. Admission is $8 per person.
Hours: Pumpkins are available at the on-site store daily 10 to 6; Fall Festival and Maze hours are 10 AM to dark on Saturday and Sunday.
