Local Guide: Pick-Your-Own Farms

Fall has finally arrived in New England and with it brought a season full of candy apples, pumpkin patches, apple cider and hayrides.

Despite Tropical Storm Irene's best efforts, 'pick your own' tasty fall treats is in full swing.

There are quite a few places to pick apples in our area. Here are a few.

C.N Smith Farm, East Bridgewater, MA. In addition to pick your own apples and berries, the farm cultivates and harvests tomatoes, asparagus, lettuce, corn, peaches, plums, nectarines, pears, etc. Pick your apples is available September through October on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday and Sundays from 9:00am - 4:00pm.

The Big Apple Farm, Wrentham, MA, 9:00am - 5:00pm. Due to safety concerns in the orchards from Hurricane Irene, The Big Apple Farm is unable to offer pick your own apples this fall. Apples are still available for purchase in their farm store along with many other products. A trip to the Big Apple Farm includes a viewing platform to watch the Apple Grader sort the apples and a peek at the bakery kitchen and donut machine. Enjoy a cup of hot or cold cider while taking in the autumn views. Fall weekends offer Hayrides and the Pumpkin House.

Belkin Family Lookout Farm, Natick, MA, Open Daily 10:00am - 5:00pm. The Belkin Family Lookout Farm is one of the oldest continuously working farms in the U.S. Pick your own peaches, apples and pumpkins in the fall. Families can also enjoy train rides, children's play area, picnic tables, hay pyramid, burlap maze and Busy Bee Learning Center.

Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow, MA. Picking is open daily, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Visit the Farm store, hedgemaze, tunnelmaze and farm animals daily from 9 to 6pm. Celebrate fall with cider donuts, caramel apples, apple & pumpkin pie. Weekend hayrides are 10 to 5pm and Weekday hayrides are noon to 5pm.

For a listing of farms and 'pick your own' in Massachusetts, click here.