Late-Season Varieties Are Coming In

What's Ripe This Week

Rochester-area apple fans: the late-season shift is happening now at Fisher's Fruit in Brockport. Fuji and Golden Delicious are at their peak — both are in that ideal window where sugar has fully developed but the fruit is still holding firm on the tree. Braeburn is starting to show color and coming in nicely for those who like a tart-sweet crunch. Granny Smith is close behind. Empire is still available but entering its final days. If you've been waiting for the crisp, dense late-keepers, this is the week to come out.

Bags are $14 for an 8-quart, $40 for a bushel. Check current picking conditions before you drive out — conditions are updated regularly so you'll know exactly what's available when you arrive.

Why Late-Season Apples Are Worth the Trip

Early-season varieties like Paula Red and Jersey Mac have a short, soft window — great for fresh eating and sauce right away, but they don't hold long. The late-season apples at Fisher's Fruit are built differently. Fuji, Braeburn, and Granny Smith have firmer flesh and higher natural acid that helps them keep well after picking. A bag from the orchard this week can last two to four weeks in a cool spot at home, and even longer in a refrigerator drawer. For families stocking up for fall baking or building a fruit bowl that stays good through the month, this is the ideal picking window. These apple varieties are grown using organic practices — no systemic pesticides, ever — on a farm that's been operating in Monroe County since 1973.

A Note on Timing and Weather

Even in mid-October, fruit conditions can shift quickly. A stretch of warm nights, heavy rain, or an early frost can move the timeline faster than any calendar predicts. What we publish here reflects the orchard's state at the time of writing, but conditions change. Always check current picking conditions before making the drive from Rochester or anywhere across Western NY — it's the most accurate real-time picture of what's ready and what remains. Fisher's Fruit is at 467 Euler Rd in Brockport, about 25 minutes west of Rochester off Route 31.

Don't Wait Too Long

Apple season at Fisher's Fruit wraps up by late October, and the late-season window goes fast. Once Braeburn and Granny Smith are gone, that's the end of pick-your-own fruit for the year. After apples, the farm transitions to Christmas trees — a different kind of outing but a great reason to come back. If you've been putting off the apple run, this is a good week to make it happen. The orchard is at its most variety-rich right now, and there are still a few weekends left.