Explore the Bountiful Charm of Solebury Orchards

One of the most delicious things about summer is the abundance of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables that will soon be ripe and ready for harvesting. Agriculture is Pennsylvania's top industry, making our roadside produce stands, farmers markets and local orchards great places to get a mouth-watering taste of nature's bounty. Skip the grocery store and head to Solebury Orchards in New Hope, just 8 miles from the Inn at Bowman's Hill, where you can pick your own fruit right from the berry fields and apple trees. There's nothing sweeter!

Solebury Orchards spans over 80 acres of pristine Bucks County land, showcasing a harmonious blend of nature's beauty and agricultural splendor. It began in 1985 on 24 acres of land that originally grew crops of corn and soybean. In time, the gently rolling fields were transformed with rows of flourishing fruit trees — apple, peach, pear, plum and cherry. A few years later, blueberries and blackberries were added to the crop lineup. As the fruit grew, so did the farm's business... and by the mid-1990s, Solebury Orchards added 45 more acres. Today, almost 40 years after it began, the orchard's owner and caretaker is looking forward to many more bountiful years to come.

One of the highlights of visiting Solebury Orchards is the opportunity to partake in fruit picking. Pick your own crops starts with blueberries in late June through mid-August. Cherries have a short picking season in late June, and then you can harvest your own field flowers through September. In the fall, there are wagon rides throughout the orchards during apple picking season from late August through early November. The best thing about these pick-your-own-crop adventures is that all of the fruits are available at the peak of ripeness, flavor and nutrition. As you harvest your own bounty, the orchard's friendly staff will guide you and share their knowledge about the fruits and the best picking techniques.

After a fruitful picking adventure, make your way to the charming Farm Market, where you'll find a variety of the freshest local produce. Open from late June through March, the market showcases the farm's abundant harvest in delightful ways. From summer's corn and tomatoes to fall's fresh-pressed apple juice and cider. In addition, the market offers cider doughnuts, eggs, homemade ketchup, apple sauce, and fruit butters and jams. Don't forget to bring home some of these delectable goodies as souvenirs of your visit.

Solebury Orchards is a testament to Bucks County's natural beauty and bounty. There's nothing quite as tasty as picking your favorite fresh fruit straight from the fields and trees and immediately enjoying the fruits of your labor. When visiting Solebury Orchards, take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking views of the orchards and the home-grown experience that will only bring you closer to nature and all that New Hope's countryside has to offer.

Photo courtesy of Dave Garrett, Bucks County Visitors Bureau.