Everything is bigger in Texas, they say. Is this also true for apple orchards? The Lone Star State is home to countless orchards that produce a variety of fruits, nuts, and vegetables almost year-round. From the Panhandle to the Border, we’ve rounded up nine of the best apple orchards in Texas that you should visit this summer.
Discovering the Best Apple Orchards in Texas
Texas is a vast state that spans eight USDA plant hardiness zones. This climate diversity enables Texas orchards to produce many different fruits and nuts, including apples. A long growing season means you can help produce healthy crops almost any time of year.
Since most apple trees need a good chill during the blooming season, Texas has a few specialty apple orchards. Instead, you’ll find many gardens that grow heat-tolerant crops. Still, many popular Texas orchards grow apples, as well as peaches, pecans, pomegranates, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
In addition to picking fresh fruit, the best orchards in Texas also offer food and entertainment for the family. Check out the event calendars for each of our top picks to discover special events like corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and more!
Best apple orchards in Texas near San Antonio and Austin
Where is the best place to find apple orchards in Texas? While you can visit great farms throughout the state, Central Texas is home to the largest selection of apple orchards. Of the dozens to choose from, the following four gardens are the most popular among locals and tourists alike.
1. Love Creek Gardens
If you find yourself in the Texas Hill Country, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit Love Creek Orchards. You can pick your own apples, figs and blackberries during spring and summer. When fall arrives, you can find hay tables, pumpkin patches and fun fall festivals.
No matter what time of year you visit, you must visit the Apple Store at Love Creek Orchards. Discover handmade gifts and souvenirs, or bring home your own Texas dwarf apple tree.
If a long day of picking your own fruit makes you peckish, try the delicious treats available at the Apple Store. Cool down with apple ice cream or enjoy freshly baked pies, pastries, and bread with homemade jams and jellies.
2. Apple Valley Orchard
This family-owned apple orchard in Texas produces a wonderful selection of apples, including Gala, Pink Lady, Candy Crisp, and Army varieties. During the summer harvest, you can also pick sweet berries and spicy jalapeños.
In addition to fresh fruit, Apple Valley Orchard also sells delicious baked goods, apple cider, and apple butter. Even if you stop by on a day where U-Pick isn’t available, you’re sure to come home with some sweet treats.
3. Sonlight Apple Orchard
If you’re planning a vacation in the South, Sonlight Apple Orchard in Texas is a great destination. Pride of Mason County, this orchard offers apple picking and more!
Sonlight’s unique Apple Cottage Bed and Breakfast is a cozy cottage set in beautiful countryside. After a long day of picking fresh fruit, families can retire to this cozy two-bedroom retreat, relax and sip apple cider while watching the sunset.
4. Gardens of Austin
There are countless orchards in Texas, but not all of them focus on apple production. Austin’s orchards are included on this list of the best apple orchards in Texas even though apples are not the farm’s specialty crop. You can still get crisp apples if you come at the right time, but Austin Orchards has plenty of great crops to pick even when apples aren’t available.
The variety of produce you can hand-pick in this garden makes it worth a visit. Depending on the season, you can bring home fresh, juicy peaches, blackberries, plums, pears, pomegranates, figs, grapes, citrus fruits, watermelons and more.
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Best Apple Orchards in Texas Near Dallas Fort Worth
North Texas is home to some of the most memorable apple orchards in Texas. If you find yourself exploring the southern “Twin Cities,” be sure to visit these local farms before you go.
5. Henrietta Creek Apple Orchard
If you want to learn more about the fruit you pick, you should stop by Henrietta Creek Apple Orchard in Texas. Henrietta Creek Apple Orchard works with universities and academics to advance research on the special roles that bees and other pollinators play in the healthy growth of plants.
Many universities and researchers use this garden for agricultural studies. At Henrietta Creek Apple Orchard, you can explore topics like bees, pollination, honey extraction, planting, gardening, composting, slime, and more.
After you’re filled with knowledge, it’s time to fill your basket with fruit! Henrietta Creek Apple Orchard offers crisp apples, juicy peaches, and a colorful selection of seasonal vegetables.
If you are interested in learning more about or seeing the important research done at Henrietta Creek Apple Orchard.
6. Morat Bagh
Morath Orchard began as a small family farm forty years ago. This former small peach orchard has blossomed into a producer of many fruits and vegetables, including apples. Morath is now a cornerstone of community agriculture in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Morath Orchards uses a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to offer community members a unique way to be involved in their food production.
The CSA program at Morath Orchards operates like a co-op. Members pay a small monthly fee to support the garden. In return, donors and helpers are entitled to a weekly share of each harvest.
If you’re just visiting Morath Gardens, you can experience an authentic Texan farm-to-table dinner while you’re there. Start with a garden tour, then enjoy a freshly harvested three-course meal with a set menu. Be sure to call ahead and make a reservation, as supplies and seating are limited for farm-to-table dinner events.
Best Apple Orchard in Houston
Houston is not as well known for producing fruit trees as other areas of Texas. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some wonderful gardens in East Texas, and one such farm stands out in particular.
7. Fruit and such gardens
When it comes to finding the best apple orchards in Texas, your pick in the Houston area is thin. Such an orchard is not really an apple orchard. However, you can find some delicious apples here during the right season.
Online customers say they love Fruits for its small farmstand feel and diverse product selection. You won’t be disappointed with juicy tomatoes, sweet berries, and lots of fresh, healthy vegetables.
Best Apple Orchards in Texas – Off the Beaten Path
Sometimes you have to go a little further to find the real treasures. Two of the most popular apple orchards in Texas are located relatively far from major Texas cities. However, the ample assortment of delicious apples and the produce available make the long drives worth it if you have the time.
8. Above Texas Farms
Top of Texas Farms is a hidden gem just outside of Lubbock, Texas. This quaint farm was previously known simply as Apple Orchard. In Texas, finding a farm that specializes in apples rather than peaches can be a challenge.
If you’re lucky enough to visit this orchard, you’ll find that Top Of Texas Farms grows and sells some sweet apples that you can buy. Don’t forget to bring home one (or more) of their many specialty apple butters and jams!
9. Efford Gardens
This great garden has an excellent selection of crops, and is located far from any major city. Efurd Orchards has been producing quality fruit for over fifty years, and half a century of careful cultivation shows!
This farm is famous across the country and offers a seasonal schedule for the harvest of various fruits and vegetables. Efurd Orchards is a wonderful travel destination from May to November, where visitors can hand-pick delicious fresh produce. Fruit lovers everywhere appreciate Efford Orchards for their wonderfully sweet apples, peaches, plums, plums, sweet potatoes, and more.
Visit local apple orchards in Texas this summer.
Whether you’re a native Texan or just visiting for the holidays, you need to check out the best apple orchards in Texas this harvest season. A long growing season and rich, fertile soil enable Texas orchards to produce large, flavorful fruit that you’re sure to enjoy.
Excited about more Apple content? Check out my apple trees page to learn more about apple planting, growing, harvesting, cooking, and more!
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