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Parlee Farms

Apples

Pick Your Own Apples at Parlee Farms

Apple season is a cherished tradition at Parlee Farms, where more than 22 acres of orchard welcome families to experience the beauty and bounty of autumn. Our orchard is planted with dwarf apple trees that may be smaller in size, but are known for producing an abundant harvest of large, flavorful apples that have become a favorite part of fall for generations of visitors.

From late August through October, the orchard comes alive with the colors, scents, and flavors of the season. More than 20 varieties ripen throughout the harvest, offering something for every apple lover. From the crisp sweetness of Honeycrisp and Gala to the classic flavors of McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, and Golden Delicious, each visit brings new opportunities to discover a favorite. As the season progresses, additional varieties such as Early Fuji, Crimson Crisp, Royal Empire, Jonagold, Ludacrisp, Ambrosia, and many others fill the orchard with fresh-picked goodness.

Weekends and fall holidays bring even more farm fun with hayrides to the orchard. Climb aboard and enjoy a relaxing ride through the scenic farm landscape as you make your way to the apple trees. After gathering your perfect harvest, the hayride will return you to the Farmstand, where the sights, smells, and flavors of autumn continue. Whether you’re enjoying a freshly baked treat, sipping warm cider, or simply soaking in the farm atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to spend a crisp New England fall afternoon.

From the first apples of late summer to the final harvests of autumn, apple picking at Parlee Farms is a family tradition filled with fresh air, beautiful scenery, and memories made together.

Please check TODAY’S FARM NEWS for apple picking hours, prices, and varieties available on any given day.

 

Parlee Farms named #1 Apple Orchard in the USA!Parlee Farms has been named the #1 Apple Orchard in America by Newsweek!

Apple Varieties

At Parlee Farms, in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, we have over 20 apple varieties available during our picking season. Typically, our Apple Season begins in late-August and goes through October. However, always check TODAY’S FARM NEWS for what is available on any given day.

Variety
Eating
Baking
Sauce
Comments

First of the Season
Paula Red
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 This apple is tart, juicy, and crisp. Excellent for eating and cooking. A great early season apple!
Sansa
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 A cross between Gala x Akane, this apple was developed in Japan. It is an excellent fresh eating apple, similar to Gala.
Ginger Gold
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 Firm, yellow apple with a sweet, mildly tart flavor. Great for eating and for baking in pies & crisp. It is also excellent for fresh cut apple use as it is very slow to turn brown. It is the highest quality early season yellow dessert apple available.
Jonamac
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 A cross between a Jonathan x McIntosh, this high quality McIntosh-type eating apple ripens a week ahead of the standard McIntosh apple. It is excellent for fresh eating and sauce.

Early Season
Fulford Gala
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 Originating in New Zealand, this strain of Gala is a large, yellow-orange apple with a blush red. This sweet apple is great for eating freshly picked and it stores well.
Marshall Mac
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 Identical to the Original McIntosh apple except is has an intense red color. Another great all-purpose apple.
Honeycrisp
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 A cross between Macoun x Honeygold, this is our most popular apple. It is large, sweet, juicy, and has explosive crispness. Excellent for eating and baking.
Pioneer Mac
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 A member of the McIntosh family, this apple has excellent fruit quality and size. It is firmer than other Mac strains. Great all-purpose apple.

Mid-Season
Macoun
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 Excellent, high quality McIntosh-style apple developed in NY. It is extra sweet and juicy, with a hint of crunch. Excellent for fresh eating and good for sauce. Macoun is one of the parents of Honeycrisp and is very popular in its own right!
Cortland
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 This all-purpose apple was developed in NY in 1898 and today is still the #1 baking apple! Sweet with a hint of tartness, its pure white flesh makes Cortland a top salad apple as well.
Morning Mist Fuji
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 This apple is very sweet and juicy, similar to standard Fuji but it ripens in about six weeks earlier than standard Fuji. Excellent for fresh uses such as eating and salads; good for sauce.
Empire
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 Deep red, crisp, sweet with a hint of McIntosh flavor, this is an excellent eating apple. It is also good for baking and it stores well.
Snowsweet
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 A new variety, this apple has a sweet taste, with a slight tart balance. A firm apple, it is slow to turn brown when exposed to air, which makes it an excellent apple for fresh eating and salads.
Crimson Crisp
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 Excellent fresh eating apple ~ extremely crisp with a sweet/sharp, slightly spicy, flavor.

Late Season
Fortune
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 Extremely large, firm apple that is great for baking. Cross between Northern Spy & Empire.
Jonagold
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 Large, firm, extremely juicy, honey sweet with a slightly tart. A very popular eating apple in Europe, it stores well in refrigerator and can be used for baking. Developed in NY, it is a cross between Jonathan & Golden Delicious.
Golden Delicious
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 Excellent fresh eating apple with a honey sweet flavor. It is also great for cooking, baking and sauce.
Crimson Topaz
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 Extremely crisp and juicy with a sweet/tart flavor. Great for fresh eating!
Shizuka
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 A sister to Mutsu, this large, yellow apple has a slightly milder flavor than Mutsu. It ripens ahead of Mutsu.
Hampshire
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 A McIntosh-type apple discovered in New Hampshire, this apple is crisp, juicy, and tart. It ripens two to three weeks later than a standard Mac.
Red Delicious
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 A deep red, crisp apple that is popular for fresh eating.
Cameo
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 New variety that is a bright red striped apple with a creamy orange color. It is firm and crisp, with a sweet tart flavor. A great fresh eating apple, as well as good for baking and sauce.
Mutsu (Crispin)
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 A derivative of Golden Delicious, this very large, yellow-green apple is known both as Mutsu and as Crispin. It is a super crispy, very juicy, and has a honey sweet flavor. It is a excellent for eating, baking, and sauces.