WHAT’S RIPE WHEN

As seen in the 2026 Destination Gettysburg Getaway Guide

In Adams County, the calendar is best read by what’s in season. One week it’s berries, the next it’s peaches, and before you know it, apples steal the show.

Orchards and fields in these parts follow a delicious rhythm shaped by sunshine, soil, and tradition. Knowing what’s ripe makes it easy to plan your visit, shop in local markets, and enjoy each season’s freshest flavors at their peak.

For more than two centuries, Adams County’s fertile soil and rolling hills have supported one of Pennsylvania’s most productive fruit-growing regions. Best known for its apples, the county’s farms and orchards now produce a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that shape local menus, markets, and a healthy lifestyle throughout the year.

Timing matters here. Crops are harvested at peak ripeness, meaning what’s available changes with the seasons. Visiting at different times of year brings new flavors, colors, and reasons to explore farm markets, roadside stands, and pick-your-own orchards.

Don’t forget you can pick your own fruit at various farm markets throughout Adams County. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!

Comparing Apples to Apples

Early, Peak & Stored

Apples are the heart of Adams County agriculture, with dozens of varieties ripening across an extended season that stretches well beyond fall. Some say they are the best tasting apples you can buy anywhere!

Early apples begin appearing the first week in July through mid-August. These often crisp and lightly sweet varieties are perfect for pies and sauces and signal the start of harvest season at local orchards and markets.

Peak apple season runs from August through October, when Adams County orchards offer the widest selection. From sweet favorites to tart baking apples, this is when flavor, variety, and freshness are at their best. Many markets feature fresh cider, apple butter, and baked goods alongside the harvest.

Thanks to modern cold-storage techniques, stored apples remain available through winter and into spring. Carefully preserved to maintain flavor and texture, these apples allow visitors to enjoy Adams County’s signature crop long after the last leaves fall.

Why Freshness Matters

Knowing what’s ripe when helps you decide when to plan your next visit:

• Experience the county’s agricultural heritage in a tangible way
• Plan trips around your favorite fruits or vegetables
• Taste Adams County at its freshest
• Support local farmers directly

Your Adams County Seasonal Harvest Guide

Spring (April–May)

• Asparagus
• Rhubarb
• Spring greens (lettuce, spinach)
• Radishes
• Herbs
  (Blossom season signals what’s to come, even before harvest begins.)

Early Summer (June)

• Strawberries
• Sugar snap peas
• Cherries
• Broccoli
• Green onions
• Peaches

Mid–Late Summer (July–August)

• Peaches
• Blueberries
• Sweet corn
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini & summer squash
• Cucumbers
• Peppers
• Beans
• Peaches & nectarines (at their peak)
• Plums
• Early apples (baking, saucing, fresh eating in August)

Early Fall (September)

• Apples
• Pears
• Plums
• Late peaches
• Pumpkins (early varieties)
• Potatoes

Peak Fall (October–November)

• Apples (wide variety)
• Pumpkins & winter squash
• Sweet potatoes
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts

Late Fall–Winter

• Apples (stored varieties)
• Onions
• Root vegetables
• Preserved goods (cider, apple butter, jams, sauces)

When you visit Adams County and step into its vast agricultural cornucopia, you’re not just buying produce. You’re tasting the season. Plan accordingly!

Discover farm markets, orchards, and seasonal food-and-drink experiences across Adams County at DestinationGettysburg.com.

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