Apples do not all ripen at once. The Gilmer County Chamber says more than 22 varieties are harvested in the county between June and November, and each orchard’s mix and timing is a little different. If you have a favorite apple, timing your trip around it matters more than picking the right orchard.
The best published guide we have found is Red Apple Barn’s variety-by-variety picking schedule. The windows below are its 2026 dates, which give a good idea of what to expect in 2027. Weather moves them by a week or more in either direction, so treat them as a starting point.
Picking windows by variety (2026)
| Variety | Approximate window | Taste and texture | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gala | Aug. 15–30 | Sweet, mild, crisp | Snacking, kids’ lunches |
| Honeycrisp | Aug. 15–Sept. 15 | Very juicy, sweet-tart, explosive crunch | Eating fresh |
| Mutsu | Sept. 15–25 | Large, sweet with a little tang, firm | Eating, baking, sauce |
| Rome | Sept. 20–25 | Mild, firm, holds its shape | Baking whole, pies |
| Pink Lady | Oct. 15–30 | Tart-sweet, dense, very crisp | Eating, salads, keeps well |
| Arkansas Black | Oct. 25–30 | Tart and hard at harvest; mellows in storage | Pies, storage, cider |
Source: Red Apple Barn picking dates. Other orchards grow other varieties on their own schedules. Ask at the market which rows are open.
Month by month
Late August
U-pick opens. In 2026, B.J. Reece opened on August 29, and Hillcrest on September 1. Gala and Honeycrisp lead the way. It is hot, so go early in the morning and bring water.
September
The busiest stretch for variety. Honeycrisp winds down while Mutsu and Rome come in. Weekends get busy, but weekdays are usually calm. Hillcrest runs its Apple Pickin’ Jubilee on weekends in September and October.
October
The festival month. The Georgia Apple Festival fills the second and third weekends, and the orchards are at their most crowded. Late-season apples such as Pink Lady and Arkansas Black arrive near the end of the month. U-pick often winds down as the trees are picked over.
Late October is also pumpkin and corn maze season. See our Ellijay pumpkin patches and corn mazes guide for which farms have them and what they cost.
November and later
Most U-pick is done, but orchard markets keep selling from cold storage. Several Ellijay apple houses, including B.J. Reece and Mack Aaron’s, are open year-round, and Penland’s stays open through November.
North of Gilmer County, Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge runs apple U-pick on a similar August-to-October schedule. See our Mercier Orchards guide.
How to read an orchard’s picking report
Most orchards post updates on their websites or social media during the season. A few terms to know:
- “Picking now” means the variety is ripe and open in the U-pick rows.
- “Limited” usually means the lower branches are picked over. You may need to reach or look harder.
- “In the market” means the variety has been harvested and is for sale in the store, but not open for U-pick.
- “Picked out” means the U-pick rows are done for the year, even if the market still has that apple.
When in doubt, call. Small orchards are happy to tell you what is ready.
How to pick a good apple
- Look at the background color, not the red blush. Green turning to yellow or cream signals ripeness in most varieties.
- Lift and twist. A ripe apple comes off the spur with a gentle upward roll. If you have to yank, it is not ready, and pulling can break off next year’s fruit buds.
- Start on the outside and top. Fruit in the sun ripens first.
- Do not shake the branches. Bruised apples spoil quickly.
- Set apples in the bag, do not drop them. Even small bruises shorten storage life.
Take some home
A half-peck makes a good snack supply. A bushel is a project. If you go big, read our guide to storing a bushel of apples, and see the orchards guide for where to pick.
Sources and further reading
Facts in this article were checked against these sources on October 30, 2026. Hours, fees and seasons change, so confirm before you go.
