You are looking at the entry way into Helen's Apple Orchard near Merrill, Wisconsin. I go there every year to pick my own apples and pumpkins. This photo is from my post, Apple Orchards are in full swing.
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Apple Orchards Are In Full Swing

September 26, 2019 /

September is the time of the year when Wisconsin Apple Orchards are in full swing. There are several large orchards around my area, one of my favorites is Helene’s Hilltop Orchard. Helen’s opens their doors to apple pickers mid-September through October. October 1st is pumpkin picking day. So if your in need of fresh apples or pumpkins for Jack-o-lanterns, Helene’s it is!

You are looking at Helene's Apple Orchard welcoming sign, before you drive up to there apple picking area.

Pick Your Own

I have taken my kids there since they were very little, so that’s over 20 years. We have gone every year to pick our own apples, pumpkins and eat the baked goodies.

You are looking at the entry way into the giant play area for kids. There's lot's of fun in there. Playing on old wooden trucks, and tractors. This if from my post Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Fun For All 

its such a great experience for kids and adults of all ages. Being outside in the fresh fall crisp air surrounded by apple trees, pumpkins and corn mazes.

You are looking at the main barn, with a giant apple on it. This is at Helene's Apple Orchard. This is from my post Apple Orchards are in full swing.

Tradition

When you first drive up to the apple orchard, you are greeted by the original family’s barn with their famous giant red apple. The farm was established in 1919, many years later in 1979 the farm was turned into and apple orchard. In 1992 they added their famous bakery and the rest is history. Helene’s has grown quite a lot over the years adding new and bigger things.

You are looking at a giant yard stick. That measures the height of the giant corn planted at Helene's Apple Orchard. This is a post from Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Giant Corn and Chair at the Apple Orchard

Like the giant yard stick for measuring their giant corn, and then there’s their giant chair! Who wouldn’t want to sit there, I’d claim it all to my own!

You are looking at a giant wooden chair. Sitting in front of the giant corn. Waiting for someone to come and have a seat. This is from the post Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Giant Playground

Once you walk in to the main area, you can either go let the kids play in the giant play area filled with fun.

You are looking at the play area where kids can play on wooden trucks.

Trucks and Tractors “Oh My”

Everything from old wooden trucks and tractors.

You are looking at a full sized wooden truck, for kids to play on or pretend to drive in the giant play area. This from my post Apple Orchards in Full Swing. You are looking at a real old John Deer Tractor restored, with a wooden platform built onto it. So kids can climb up stairs to get into the tractor. This is in the giant play area at Helene's Apple Orchard. This is from my post Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Even For The Bigger Kids

To the Combine Harvester, even the bigger kids can climb up in it. But it doesn’t stop there, there’s even a tunnel they can go through, and fun head boards they can stick their faces through. So they’ll look like an apple or even a sunflower.

You are looking at a full size Combine Harvester made into a fort with a slide for kids. This is in the giant play area at Helene's Apple Orchard. This is a post from Apple Orchards in Full Bloom.

Corn Maze Ride or Walk at the Apple Orchard 

If your kids aren’t up to playing in the play area, there’s always the corn maze ride. Or the walk through corn maze for the everyone. Yes, you can actually get lost in the walk through maze, ask me I know!

You are looking at a tractor pulling a train of little kiddie carts, that are painted in black and white to look like a Jersey cow. The tractor ride is for going through a giant corn maze at Helene's Apple Orchard. This is a post from my Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Picking Apples and Learning about Bee’s

Once you’ve had your fun on the playground or through the maze, it’s time to go pick some apples! Helene’s has 5 varieties of apples: Cortland, Macintosh, Riverbelle, Zestar and Macintosh. I love it when the apple orchards are in full swing!

You are looking at the path way to the apple picking area. Helene's Apple Orchard Barn is in the back ground along with info sings, about honey bees. This is from my post Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Sunflower Maze When The Apple Orchards are in Full Swing

If you visit the orchard early in September they have a sunflower maze that you can go through, and even buy a few  of the sunflowers to take home, if you’d like.

Apple Orchards in Full Swing are the most beautiful time of the year. The fall colors are of every kind. You are looking at the sunflower maze with a red barn off in the distance. This is from my post Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Butterflies and Bees

You may even see a few of the local visitors at the apple orchards in full swing. I saws butterflies and bees all around the flowers and trees. As you walk down the path near the apple trees. There are signs every few feet sharing fun facts about the honey bees.

You are looking at a monarch butterfly resting on the center of a sunflower. Preparing for it's long journey down to Mexico, good luck my little friend! This is from my post Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Pumpkins of every size

As your walking around and picking your apple you’ll also be surrounded by fields of pumpkins of every shape, size and color. But you have to wait till October 1st before you can pick them.

You are looking at four large pumpkins waiting to be picked the first of October at Helene's Apple Orchard. They almost look like they are covered in warts. These guys would be perfect for Halloween.

Winter Squash at The Apple Orchard too

After your stroll around the apple picking area. You can head back to the barn and get yourself some yummy treats and some thing to drink. But they also have many different varieties of winter squash you can purchase for a fall at home meal. The Butter and Acorn squash are two of my favorites. They cook great in the Instant Pot and make great soups.

You are looking at the entrance to Helene's Apple Orchard store. There are two wooden bins filled to the brim with all sorts of winter squash. This is from my post Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Delicious Bakery

Helen’s sells lots of different baked goods, you can even special order pies for the holidays. The smell of cinnamon, pies, cookies and bread baking is just heavenly. They also sell honey and maple syrup as well as freshly made apple cider from their apples.

You are looking at the inside of Helene's Apple Orchard store. It's decorated very rustic with old barn doors. Everything apple and pumpkin is for sale. Even bagged apples if you don't have the time to pick your own. This is from my post Apple Orchards in Full Swing. While your in there enjoying the atmosphere get yourself some freshly made apple cider and some to go!

You are looking at a bag of picked Bella apples, a quart of apple cider, and three hand made frozen pie crusts. I purchased these at the apple orchard for future use. I'll be canning apple pie filling and apple sauce. This is from the post Apple Orchards in Full Swing.

Apple Orchards in Full Swing

If you ask me, fall is the loveliest time of the year to visit Wisconsin. Especially when the Apple Orchards are in full swing and fall leaves are in full color. Along with all the wonderful harvest foods you get during this time of the year. With the temps cooling down, the canning and baking begins . I love canning apple pie filling and apple sauce. As well freezing and dehydrating my apples. Sometimes I’ll make a little apple butter or jelly, all depends on my mood.

What’s your favorite fall goody from your favorite apple orchard? Could it be the apple turnovers, apple strudel, doughnuts or maybe the apple bread. I’m thinking about converting my Mom’s Zucchini Bread recipe into an apple breed. I think it would work well, just add in a little cinnamon and maybe some nutmeg. We shall see, if you give it try, I’d like to know.

You are looking at canned apple pie filling, I canned with the pick your own apples. This is from the post Apple Orchards in Full swing.

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