Despite the strange pun in the name (LOL)... Branstool Orchard has been our family's favorite peach and apple-picking spot for years now (They also offer Cherry and Pear picking!). In fact, we drive WELL past the cliche' Columbus apple-picking spot (Lynd's Fruit Farm), to get to Branstool instead, and enjoy every minute of it!
Hey- any place that can motivate our 4 kids, ranging in age from 3 to 19, to willingly cram into a car for nearly an hour together...that's a KEEPER!
The market itself is fun to browse through. Homemade goods (you have to get the caramel corn!), and produce(both fruits and vegetables), together with the friendly staff - we love going in there before we start our picking adventure.
The Orchard is open starting June 25th for Cherry picking.
The market is open daily from 9-6 and Sunday from 10-6. Check their website for details http://www.branstool.com
PEACHES:
Branstool has 24 acres of peach trees and 25 different varieties.
Peach picking season is Mid-July through Mid-September. The place smells like heaven and the peaches are INCREDIBLE. Truly tree-ripened Peaches can't be compared to anything else. Unreal. The hardest part is deciding which variety to show up for! They're ALL awesome. The staff can help you in determining the best peach (and this goes for apples, pears and cherries as well) for your specific use. They are very knowledgeable.
APPLES:
Apple-picking season is from Mid-July to late October.
Branstool offers 30 different varieties of apple. They have your favorites, plus rare types of apples we haven't been able to find anywhere else. Last year, we found an apple that tasted like a cross with pear! This year, since we didn't note the name of it, we've vowed to hunt it down again so we can always get it. We think it was the Rubinette. They were SO delicious!
ALL of our kids enjoy roaming the orchard, picking their treasures and soaking up the peaceful quiet and beautiful scenery. We always end up wishing we'd brought a wagon to haul our bounty. This year, we've decided to just surrender to the fact that we WILL pick more than we planned to, and we'll be bringing a wagon for sure. LOL
If you want to try what Branstool has to offer, but don't want to make the drive until you're convinced it's worth it... you CAN! - Selections from this orchard can be found at Westerville Farmer's Market (Wednesdays 3-6pm) and Clintonville Farmer's Market (Saturdays 9-noon) every year. I've also heard they show up at Granville's Farmer's Market as well.
I gotta tell ya though, you really should make the trip out to Utica to pick your own. Nothing like it. read more