Apple Picking at Leonard Orchard
One of my kids favorite things to do in Southern Oregon is to visit our Grower’s and Farmer’s Markets. We love to check out the seasonal fruit and vegetables, to look at all of the beautiful artisan crafts and food, and of course the samples are always a huge hit. So, what would be the next step from visiting the markets? Visiting the farms that provide all of the fruit and vegetables that we enjoy! It is so much fun and it creates many great teachable moments with the kids; showing them not only where the fruits and vegetables come from, but how much work it takes to pick the fruit. Mid-summer and fall in Southern Oregon are “ripe” with opportunities to pick fruit; peaches, apples, pumpkins, and sometimes more!
We seize the opportunity every year by picking apples at Leonard’s Apple Orchard right in Medford. It is so convenient because it is literally just minutes from the center of town. When we got there we checked in with Clover the owner so that she could show us which rows to pick from.
We had such a great time! Ilias kept eyeing the biggest and highest apples so we would have to drag the ladder over so he could climb up, to be bitterly disappointed that it had split because it got too big. Olivia would pick the lower ones and of course every time she picked one she would ask if she could eat it.
After picking three bags of apples we headed back to the barn where she weighed our apples out on a big antique scale. For ten bucks we got enough apples to make two batches of slow-cooker applesauce and a batch of apple butter. So yummy!
If you want to go to Leonard’s
Location: 2171 Ross Ln, Medford, Oregon, 97501 MAP.
Apples are 50 cents a pound for the 2023 season and she only accepts cash or check.
Bring your own containers for picking.
You can bring your own step stools.
Hours vary but are usually Friday through Sunday, 9am to 1pm during the picking season.
Make sure to check-in with the owner before you head out to pick so that she can direct you to the correct trees.
Sign-up for their newsletter to find out current days open and hours. their email is cloverfae@aol.com.
Where do you like to pick fruit in Southern Oregon? We always like to hear of new places!
For all of the u-pick fruit destinations we have found in Southern Oregon go here.
As an extra little treat for you we have concocted a no-peel slow-cooker applesauce that turns out so good and it is so easy! Check it out below!
