A trip to Apple Holler during apple-picking season is a beloved tradition each fall, but this year, the farm is opening its orchards early for more fruit-picking fun.
For the first time since 2022, Apple Holler, 5006 S. Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, is welcoming guests for peach picking. Fair weather in winter and spring, plus this summer’s extended heatwave, yielded an abundance of peach blossoms, and the orchard is now ready for families to pick their own peaches right off the branches.
“Peaches are a difficult fruit to grow in Wisconsin, more so than apples,” Apple Holler owner Dave Flannery said in a statement. “We plant peach tree varieties that are hardier for the winter, but it’s hard to predict Wisconsin weather and its effects on future peach crops.”
Guests will once again be able to walk through Apple Holler’s 80-acre orchard to fill 1/4-peck bags (about five pounds) of peaches. Bags are $23, and each person (children and adults) must purchase a bag to enter the orchard.
The season is kicking off with Desiree peaches, which have a bright, sweet flavor with a hint of tang. They have a firm and juicy texture that’s perfect for grilling, baking, fresh eating or tossing into salads or salsas. More peach varieties will be available as the season goes on, likely through August.
Aside from picking peaches, admission includes all-day access to Apple Holler’s Family Fun Park, which includes attractions like corn mazes, an Amish-built train, play structures, a giant slide, pedal karts, goat feeding, photo opportunities and more.
At Apple Holler’s Farm Shop, bags of pre-picked peaches are available for purchase, as well as peach hard cider, peach jams, preserves, pies and more.
Picking conditions can change day by day, and even hour to hour, depending on weather conditions and customer traffic. To stay up-to-date with current peach varieties and picking conditions, visit appleholler.com, call (262) 884-7100 or follow Apple Holler at facebook.com/AppleHollerWI or instagram.com/applehollerwi.
Apple Holler is open for peach picking from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday. The last admission for peach picking is sold at 3 p.m. daily.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: For the first time in years, peach picking is back at Apple Holler farm
Reporting by Rachel Bernhard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
