Apple Season at Mercier Orchards: What to Pick & When (Month-by-Month Guide)

Every September, something wonderful happens eight minutes north of downtown Blue Ridge: apple season hits full stride at Mercier Orchards, the largest apple orchard in the Southeast. Family-run since 1943 and spread across more than 300 acres, Mercier is equal parts working farm, bakery, market, and cider house — and fall is when it shines brightest.

Why Apple Season Is the Best Time to Visit

Mercier grows dozens of apple varieties, and they ripen in waves from late summer into November. That means every visit tastes a little different: crisp early Galas in September, honey-sweet Fujis in October, and tart winter keepers as the season winds down. Weekend U-pick events put you in the rows with a bag in hand — one of the most beloved family traditions in the North Georgia mountains.

What’s Ripe When: A Month-by-Month Guide

Month	What’s Picking	Don’t Miss
August	Early Galas, peaches wrapping up	Peach fried pies before they’re gone
September	Gala, Honeycrisp, Jonagold	U-pick weekends kick off; fresh-pressed cider returns
October	Fuji, Mutsu, Golden Delicious	Peak season energy, hayrides, cider slushies
November	Winter varieties & storage apples	Holiday baking stock-up, quieter orchard rows

U-pick availability changes weekly with the harvest, so check mercier-orchards.com before you go — the farm posts which varieties and orchard blocks are open each weekend.

Beyond the Apple Rows

• The bakery — the fried pies are legendary. Get there early on Saturdays; the line moves fast but the apple cider doughnuts sell out.

• The market — jams, ciders, fresh produce, and Georgia-made goods that make better souvenirs than anything on a shelf downtown.

• The cider house — Mercier presses its own hard ciders; a tasting flight on the deck overlooking the orchard is a perfect golden-hour stop.

• Seasonal events — from tractor rides to harvest festivals, weekends fill with family-friendly activities all fall.

Mercier pairs beautifully with a downtown afternoon or a leaf-peeping drive. The regional tourism guide at blueridgemountains.com lists current festivals and events if you want to build a full day around your orchard visit.

Make It a Weekend

An orchard morning deserves a mountain evening. Sacred Summit sits 5 minutes from downtown Blue Ridge — an easy hop to Mercier — sleeps 12, and serves up big mountain views for your post-orchard sunset. Prefer creekside quiet? Sacred Creek Retreat in Cherry Log sleeps 14 on 4.7 acres with a hot tub, cedar sauna, arcade, and theater room — the ideal landing spot after a day of picking, tasting, and hayriding.

When you’re ready to lock in your apple-season escape, book direct with Sacred Stays for the best rates on both cabins — no platform fees, just more money left over for fried pies.

The Sweetest Season

Apple season in Blue Ridge is short, sweet, and worth planning around. Pick a weekend, grab a bag, and taste why generations of Georgia families make the Mercier pilgrimage every fall.