Paula Reds Are On — Apple Season Has Started

What's Ripe Right Now: Paula Reds Are Open

Rochester apple season is officially underway. Paula Red apples are now open for pick-your-own at Fisher's Fruit & Christmas Tree Farm in Brockport, Monroe County — about a 25-minute drive west of Rochester on Route 19. These early-season apples are bright red, medium-sized, and mildly tart — crisp enough to eat fresh off the tree and sweet enough to use in quick applesauce without much sugar.

Paula Reds are always the first apple variety to ripen at the farm each year, and they don't have a long run. The window is typically two to three weeks before the next wave of varieties begins to come in. If you've been waiting for apple season to start, this is the signal — it's here. For a deeper look at the variety, see our full Paula Red guide.

What to Expect at the Farm This Week

Early apple season is one of the best times to visit. The orchard is quieter than it will be in September, the weather is usually still warm, and there's a genuine first-of-the-season feeling to picking a Paula Red before any other variety. Bags fill quickly because the fruit is ready and plentiful.

Apple pricing at Fisher's Fruit is $14 per 8-quart bag and $40 per bushel. The farm has grown fruit using organic practices — no systemic pesticides, ever — since 1973. Before you head out, always check current picking conditions to confirm Paula Reds are still open and for any updates on hours or availability.

What's Coming Next This Apple Season

Paula Reds are just the opener. Jersey Mac is typically next — a sweet, mild, early-season apple that overlaps briefly with Paula Reds before moving into mid-season. After that, the varieties start stacking up: Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Macoun all arrive in the coming weeks, followed later by Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Empire, Burgundy, Braeburn, and Pink Lady as September turns to October.

Each variety brings different qualities — some are best for fresh eating, others for baking, cider, or storing into winter. For a full look at what ripens when in western New York, the apple harvest calendar for NY is a useful planning guide. And for everything we grow at Fisher's Fruit specifically, visit our apple varieties page.

A Note on Timing and Weather

Apples don't ripen on a strict calendar. A cool stretch in August, unusually warm nights, or a wet spring can all shift when a variety reaches its peak — and conditions at the farm can change from one day to the next. The most reliable way to plan a visit is to check current picking conditions before you drive out to Brockport. It's updated as varieties open and close, so you always know what's actually ready when you arrive.