Sky Top Orchard, Flat RockEarly apples are already part of the 2026 season at Sky Top Orchard, where the first U-pick varieties begin before much of western North Carolina reaches peak harvest. Justus Orchard, HendersonvilleA fifth generation of the Justus family is now involved at this Hendersonville orchard, where U-pick apples begin well before the busiest weeks of fall. Coston Farm & Apple House, HendersonvilleGala apples give Coston Farm one of its clearest August U-pick windows. Millstone Creek OrchardsLate August brings apple picking to Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur, adding a Piedmont option to a list otherwise dominated by the western mountains. Its current crop guide places apple season in late August and September, after summer peaches, berries, and flowers have carried the earlier part of the season.