Apple Picking: The absolute worst Fall activity
Picture this: the leaves are all sorts of fiery colors, and that crisp autumn breeze has you feeling alive. It’s the season for fall fun, but let’s talk about something that’s not all it’s cracked up to be: apple picking.

WORCESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 08: Apple pickers gather Gala apples in an orchard at Stocks Farm in Suckley, near Worcester, on October 8, 2013 in Worcestershire, England. According to English Apples and Pears, the fruit growers’ trade association, the unusual combination of a late spring and hot summer has made this year’s English crop the latest for a generation. However, a delay of more than three weeks and high summer day temperatures has enabled the fruit to mature well, which promises great textures and taste. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
First off, apple picking can empty your wallet faster than you can say “cider.” Most orchards charge you just to get in, and then they weigh your apples and charge you for those too. Before you know it, you’ve spent a small fortune on apples you could’ve grabbed at the grocery store for way less.

WORCESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 08: An apple picker gathers Gala apples in an orchard at Stocks Farm in Suckley, near Worcester, on October 8, 2013 in Worcestershire, England. According to English Apples and Pears, the fruit growers’ trade association, the unusual combination of a late spring and hot summer has made this year’s English crop the latest for a generation. However, a delay of more than three weeks and the earlier high summer day temperatures has enabled the fruit to mature well, which promises great textures and taste. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Plus, the physical workout sucks. You’re not just casually strolling through an orchard; you’re climbing ladders, stretching for apples at the tippy-top, and hauling around bags of the heaviest fruit known to humankind. If you were hoping for a chill day out, think again. You might end up feeling like you ran a marathon.
Then there’s the crowd factor. Weekends at the orchard can be a madhouse. Long lines, limited apple options, and a far cry from the peaceful family outing you imagined. Instead, you’re rubbing shoulders with strangers and fighting for apples like it’s a Black Friday sale.
People often go overboard and pick more apples than they can eat. A lot of those perfectly good apples end up in the trash, contributing to our food waste problem.
In a nutshell, while apple picking sounds idyllic, it’s often costly, exhausting, and chaotic. Why not make the most of your autumn days with something more enjoyable and less hassle?