As October slips away and November creeps in, seasonal activities are afoot. I spend all year waiting for fall to arrive so that I can
participate in the recurring traditions that embody the spirit of the season.
Two quintessential experiences always come to mind: visiting apple orchards and pumpkin patches. I took the liberty of visiting one pumpkin patch and one apple orchard in the area to determine which is more crucial to achieving the most fulfilling fall experience.
The first farm I attended was a third-generation, family-owned establishment called Circle S Farms in Grove City. As I arrived, I was greeted immediately by a petting zoo and a huge corn maze. The farm itself was a very typical Ohio farm: slightly dusty and very flat. After a bit of walking around, I was directed to the hayride which escorts customers to the pumpkin patch.
The patch was large and offered a wide variety of pumpkins to choose from, but it felt underwhelming and more like harvesting crops than engaging in fall festivities.
It became clear to me immediately after entering the farm that Circle S is more geared toward small children and families. The only aspect of the farm that I felt could be enjoyable across all age groups was the pumpkin picking. I did go on a weekday, so I’m sure it would be more exciting with a bigger crowd, but I was a little underwhelmed.
I appreciate the fact that they are open on weekdays, given the fact that most other farms in this area are not. It is accessible and endearing, but was not the most exciting experience for me. While I could recommend it to someone and possibly revisit it myself, it didn’t have the fall energy I was hoping for.
The apple orchard, on the other hand, was incredible. I visited A and M Farm Orchard in Midland, Ohio. It takes about an hour to get there from Upper Arlington, which might be an excessive distance for some people. I personally believe the orchard made up for the travel time in charm and liveliness.
When I arrived, the woman running the market greeted me immediately and gave me directions to the orchard using phrases like “around the bend” and “over the creek.” The entire interaction felt like dialogue from an episode of “Gilmore Girls”, which set the perfect mood for the day. Small-town charm and friendliness is a crucial piece of the autumn experience, and it was abundant at this orchard.
Each section of the orchard was filled with rows and rows of apple trees. Apples scattered the ground, but plenty still hung in the trees.
Personally, the appearance of this orchard alone was enough to win me over. However, the apples were also some of the best-tasting produce I have ever tried. Although they don’t offer a ton of activities on the property, I think the experience speaks for itself. It made me want to go home, bake something, and curl up with a cozy blanket.
If I were to decide which is more pivotal to the fall experience, A and M Farm Orchard would win by a long shot. If you are looking to get pumpkins for this season, I think they are accessible enough in grocery stores and markets. However, no store-bought apples can beat the kind you pick yourself.
While I personally believe there is no better activity to harvest the spirit of fall than a good apple orchard, seasonal fun is abundant in Ohio and more accessible than most people know. For example, the Franklin Park Conservatory is currently holding a “Harvest Blooms” exhibit. I stopped by to see if it could take the place of a farm or orchard and I was shocked. Although it doesn’t beat out my apple-picking experience, the giant cornucopias and houses made of pumpkins definitely captured the fall spirit I was looking for.
I highly recommend that everyone takes at least one day to appreciate the season. After exploring lots of what Ohio has to offer, visiting an apple orchard is an activity that will always be a perfect way to create seasonal memories.
