Ragged Hill Orchard
West Brookfield, MA · about 57 mi from Boston
At a glance
- Address
- 94 John Gilbert Road, West Brookfield, MA
- Activities
- 🍎 Apples
- Phone
- (508) 867-2187
- Website
- raggedhill.com
- Typical season
- Aug to Oct (apples, varies by farm)
- Nearest city we cover
- Boston, about 57 miles
- Listing updated
- Feb 2024
- Contact details from
- the farm's website; USDA Local Food Directories
- Social
- County
- Worcester County, MA
- Hardiness zone
- USDA zone 6a
- Source
- USDA Local Food Directories
Picking weather
National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast…
Weather only. It does not tell you whether the farm is open, so check hours with the farm.
Make a day of it
- Playground 3.2 mi
- Gas station Country Corner 2.7 mi
- 18 places to eat within 5 mi Northeast Pizza, Hunan Garden, Janine's Frostee
Farmers markets nearby
- Ware Farmers' Market Ware · 4.1 mi
- Brimfield Farmers Market at Hitchcock Free Academy Brimfield · 10.3 mi
- Leicester Farmers' Market Leicester · 13 mi
CSA farm shares nearby
- Bell Brook Farm 2 mi
- Chestnut Farms 4.6 mi
- Stillman's Greenhouses & Farm Stand 5.2 mi
Open in Apple Maps · Google Maps directions
Nearby places from OpenStreetMap (straight-line distance). Markets and CSAs from the USDA Local Food Directories.
Weather here in a typical year
Nov here: highs around 49°F, lows around 30°F, about 3.5 in of rain, 9.7 hours of daylight.
- 🌱 Last spring frostMay 3
- 🍂 First fall frostOct 14
- ☀️ Frost-free season164 days
- 🧭 Hardiness zone6a
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Belchertown, MA station (9.2 mi); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (USDA-ARS, Oregon State University PRISM). Averages, not a forecast. Crops ripen earlier after warm springs.
What you can pick here
- ApplesAug to Oct
Typical US ranges from extension service crop calendars, not this farm's own dates. Seasons shift by region and weather, so check with the farm.
Before you go
- Check that it is open. Look at the farm website: hours and crops change with the weather.
- Bring cash and a card. Some farms take only one.
- Water, sun protection and closed-toe shoes.
- A bag or box for the ride home, if the farm allows your own
- Comfortable shoes for orchard rows
- Hand wipes
- Ask about pets before you bring a dog.
More tips: your first u-pick visit.
How to pick like a pro
- Is it ripe?
Ripe apples come off with a gentle lift and twist. If you have to yank, it is not ready. Background color shifts from green to yellow or cream.
- How to pick
Lift the apple up and twist; do not pull straight down or shake the branch. Leave the stem on. Set apples in the bag, do not drop them, because bruises spread.
- Best time to go
Weekday mornings. Weekend afternoons in late September and October are the busiest.
- Keep it fresh
Refrigerate; most varieties keep for weeks. Keep away from bananas and greens, because apples release ethylene.
Farm country: Worcester County
Worcester County had 1,623 farms in the latest USDA Census of Agriculture (2022). Of those, 513 sold food straight to the public and 60 earned money from agritourism like u-pick and tours.
- 1,155 acres of apples #1 of 9 counties in MA
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2022 Census of Agriculture. Some county numbers are withheld to protect individual farms.
Check hours before you go. Listings come from public directories and many were last updated in 2024.
Farms nearby
All farms near Boston · Farms in Massachusetts · Apple orchards everywhere
Plan your trip
Questions about Ragged Hill Orchard
Is Ragged Hill Orchard open today?
We do not track live hours. Check the farm website before you go. Our listing comes from public directories and was last updated Feb 2024.
When is the season at Ragged Hill Orchard?
Apples typically run Aug to Oct in much of the US. Exact dates depend on the farm, the region and the weather, so confirm with the farm.
Where is Ragged Hill Orchard?
The listing gives the address as 94 John Gilbert Road, West Brookfield, MA. Use the Directions button for turn-by-turn directions.
Can I bring my dog to Ragged Hill Orchard?
Pet rules vary by farm and by field. Many u-pick farms do not allow dogs in picking areas for food safety. Ask the farm before you go.
Is this listing wrong?
Farms can fix or claim a listing for free on our add or claim your farm page.