Kids are back in school, and sweaters and jeans are replacing swimming suits and shorts in storefront displays. It may still be August, but one thing's for sure: Fall is just around the corner.
As the heat of summer dissipates and the cooler days of fall arrive, apple trees are ripe for picking. For an outdoor, family-friendly daytrip, consider visiting one of Missouri's U-pick orchards, where visitors can pick the crisp fruit right off the trees.
The most popular apples, owner Bob Knoernschild said, are Red and Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Jonagold and Fuji, which are all sweet enough to eat right off the tree.
"Most of them can also be used for pies or applesauces or things like that," Knoernschild said.
Knoernschild and his wife, Ellen, have owned the 60-acre farm since 1969. Previously, it was a livestock farm owned by Bob's parents, but the couple planted apples, peaches, grapes and blackberries and turned it into the U-pick orchard it is today. Continuing in the family tradition, Bob and Ellen Knoernschild's grandson, Gabe Wright, manages the orchard now.
When visitors arrive for an apple-picking excursion, they are given a bag and a hayride over to the orchard, where they can pick as many apples as they desire. Apples are sold by the pound, and visitors can also purchase other locally-made goods in the farm's market, housed inside a restored, 125-year-old barn.
Because the frost left the farm with only about 20 percent of its normal apple yield, Centennial Farms will be open for apple picking just the first two weekends in September, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. However, the farm also grows pumpkins for picking, which will be available the last weekend in September through the end of October.
For a closer excursion, check out Binder's Hilltop Apple and Berry Farm in Mexico, about 50 minutes up U.S. 54 from Jefferson City. There, visitors find more than 18 varieties of apples to pick, but the fruit isn't the only attraction: the farm also is home to about 60 alpacas.
Before or after picking apples, visitors can walk by the wooly alpacas and take a stroll around the pond, which is filled with ducks and geese.
Owner Sandy Binder briefs visitors on which apples are ripest that day, offering samples to taste, before sending them into the trees in a golf cart. The orchard is made up of dwarf apple trees, making the branches easy for children to reach.
Binder's crop started to ripen a little earlier than usual this year, so she was able to open the orchard for picking - mainly William's Pride apples - the last week of July. Gala and Red Free apples followed soon after, and she hopes the rest of her apples will last into mid-October. Fortunately, her orchards were not harmed by unusual weather.
"It's a bumper crop this year," Binder said.
And if you need proof the apples are delicious, Binder said all you have to do is look at the ground.
"I find apple cores all over the place," she chuckled.
Binder can also be found at the Columbia Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. During apple season, she sells apples as well as homemade apple butter, apple bars and apple chips. And when the weather turns colder, she brings items handmade from alpaca wool through December.
Binder's Hilltop Apple and Berry Farm is open for apple picking 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Binder is also planning a farm open house for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 24-25. Those who attend the free event can pick apples, visit the alpacas and see spinning and weaving demonstrations. On Saturday, a bluegrass band will provide music.
If you're inclined to go west, visit Gardener's Orchard in Brighton, a little more than two hours southwest of Jefferson City.
The 1,000-tree apple orchard features popular varieties such as Gala, Jonathan and Fuji apples. Owner Cornelius Gradinariu said these varieties are great for eating plain or making into a sweet applesauce.
The orchard's apple-picking season began in early August, and late-blooming apples such as the Rome variety will keep the picking fun going through mid-October.
"Most people like to come with their children," Gradinariu said.
The orchard is open year-round, offering U-pick peaches and blueberries in their respective seasons. When no fruit is left on the trees, Gradinariu's daughter can still be found in the in-house bakery, whipping up pies and other tempting treats for customers.
Visitors can pick apples 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
All three orchards encourage school field trip visits. For more information, visit centennialfarms.biz, applesandalpacas.com or the Gardener's Orchard Facebook page.