October is peak harvest season across Greater West Hartford, when local orchards and farmstands brim with apples, pumpkins, gourds and cool-weather produce. The month also brings a shift in farmers’ market hours as the season winds down.
Orchards and Pick-Your-Own
In Southington, Rogers Orchards celebrates autumn weekends with pick-your-own apples through October, featuring later-season varieties such as Pink Lady, Fuji and EverCrisp. Easy Pickin’s Orchard in Enfield offers apples, pumpkins, and vegetables alongside herbs and flowers right up until frost.
Families looking for seasonal fun will also find corn mazes, hayrides, and pumpkin patches open throughout October at farms like Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, which runs its Fall Festival weekends with live entertainment and children’s activities.
Farmstands in October
In South Glastonbury, E. Draghi & Sons Farm Stand—a family-run farm with roots back to 1903—brings its market, bakery, and greenhouses front and center in October. Their daily offerings include pickled vegetables, salsas, jams, locally grown produce, Vermont cheeses, and smoked meats. The bakery opens each morning at 7 a.m., dishing out pastries, fruit pies, muffins, quiches, breads and more—and in October, displays turn festive with pumpkins, gourds, mums, and corn stalks.
Daily farmstands keep local produce in easy reach. Rosedale Farms & Vineyards in Simsbury operates seven days a week, offering late-season vegetables, apples, pumpkins, and wine made on site. In Avon/Farmington, Sub-Edge Farm’s stand is stocked with pasture-raised meats, root crops, and hardy greens that thrive in cooler weather.
October is also the last full month for many regional markets. The West Hartford Farmers’ Market, relocated this year to the Town Hall parking lot, continues on Saturdays through the fall. The Blue Back Farmers’ Market holds its Sunday market in the same location.
In Hartford, the West End Farmers’ Market adjusts hours in October, running Tuesdays 3–6 p.m. at Clemens Place Green, while the historic Old State House Farmers Market concludes its season on Oct. 10. Glastonbury’s Tuesday evening market at Hubbard Green also winds down early in the month.
October is the best time for apples, cider donuts, and pumpkins, but availability changes quickly. Orchards recommend checking their websites or social media for daily updates on what’s ripe and ready. Farmers’ markets also post weekly vendor lists and note seasonal closing dates.
With colorful foliage as a backdrop and cooler air settling in, October offers a chance to savor the harvest before frost. From a weekend spent apple-picking in Southington to a quick pumpkin stop at a roadside stand,
Fall offerings at a glance:
Here’s a concise sidebar-style listing you can drop in next to the feature:
Fall Orchards & Markets – October Guide
Orchards & Farm Fun
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Rogers Orchards – 336 Long Bottom Rd., Southington. PYO apples weekends through October.
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Easy Pickin’s Orchard – 46 Bailey Rd., Enfield. Apples, pumpkins, vegetables, herbs & flowers.
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Brown’s Harvest – 1911 Poquonock Ave., Windsor. Fall Festival weekends: pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides.
Farmstands
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Rosedale Farms & Vineyards – 25 E. Weatogue St., Simsbury. Daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m., produce & wine.
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Sub-Edge Farm – 199 Town Farm Rd., Avon/Farmington. Tues–Sat & Sun; meats, eggs, fall produce.
Farmers’ Markets
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West Hartford Farmers’ Market – Saturdays, Town Hall lot, through October.
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Blue Back Farmers’ Market – Sundays 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Town Hall lot.
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West End Farmers’ Market (Hartford) – Tuesdays 3–6 p.m., Clemens Place Green, through Oct.
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Old State House Farmers Market (Hartford) – Tuesdays & Fridays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., ends Oct. 10.
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Glastonbury Farmers Market – Tuesdays 4–7 p.m., Hubbard Green, runs through early October.
With colorful foliage and cooler air settling in, October offers a chance to savor the harvest before frost.