Branstool Orchards is one of our favorite u-pick orchards to visit in Central Ohio. We always pick peaches and apples (sometimes twice) each year, and they have so many offerings from Summer through Fall.
Located in Utica, Branstool Orchards is about 40 minutes from Columbus, and it’s worth the drive! (Trust me….there’s a nearby ice cream stop that you can’t miss below). You can definitely make day trip out of it.
The orchard is home to 40+ varieties of apples, 20+ varieties of peaches, pears, flowers, sunflower field, and pumpkins. There’s a extensive playground for the kids to enjoy, and a huge farm market once produce is ready for the season.
The grounds are beautiful, so enjoy the scenery while you’re there. Events are held throughout the season, and often have food vendors on-site during weekends and events.
Events at Branstool Orchards
Farm Market
Farm market is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10-5, starting May 8. Additional days will be added once the season is in full swing.
Farm Animal Day
Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 10:00 AM 2:00 PM
Sunday, July 19, 2026 from 10:00 AM 2:00 PM
Visit with bunnies, chickens, goats, mini pigs, donkeys, and horses from For Them Farm behind the market at Branstool Orchards in Utica.
Free to attend and all ages are welcome. Market will be open 10am-5pm. Donut Hut and Happy Apple Eatery food truck will be open 10am-3pm.
Junk in the Trunk Vintage Sale
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Join us for vintage shopping behind the market from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM with more than 12 vendors selling cool stuff!
Taste of Branstool Orchards Free Tasting Event
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Join us from 10am-4pm to sample more than 40 Branstool Orchards jarred goods. Try our new garden fresh peach salsa that includes tomatoes unlike our normal peach salsa which does not. Lots of salsas, jams, butters, pickles, sugar free jams, sauces, dressings, etc. So much to try and explore!
Pickle Fest at Branstool
Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Join us and The Crazy Cucumber for a celebration of all things dill pickle! Foods, drinks, pickles, pickle slushies, and dozens of other pickle flavored items.
This event is free to attend but tickets must be purchased to visit the Sampling Tents where more than 30 pickled/dill foods will be available to taste (must book timed tickets to prevent long lines).
Expect food trucks with pickle dishes, pickle drinks, pickle donuts and slushies at The Donut Hut, and so much more!
U-pick at Branstool Orchards
Crop availability is always subject to weather, pests, and crowds.
Peaches at Branstool
Over 24 acres of peach trees and over 20 different varieties!
NOTE: Most of the peach crop was lost to freeze for 2026
Southern peaches available in market. Check website or Facebook for crop availability.
Apples at Branstool
They grow a huge variety of apples, so plan to visit different times of the year to enjoy the varieties. You won’t find rows of fruit trees overcrowded with people, and long lines of cars when you pick here. U-pick apples are mid/late August – late October/early November.
I like to pick early varieties to enjoy in August/September, and then we ALWAYS go back for Goldrush apples at the end of the season. These will last in your fridge or cool area for months!
Picking ends one hour before close so on Tuesday-Thursday it will end at 4pm, Friday-Saturday at 5pm, and Sunday at 4pm.
Pick a peck of apples for $25 or a half bushel for $35.
Each person ages 5 and up must pay a $2 field fee to enter the orchard this year.
Other Orchard Fun
After we finish u-pick and visit the market, we take some time for the photo ops around the farm, including the beautiful lake, seasonal decorations, and more.
The kids LOVE the playground, so we count of spending some time there (and count on them getting dirty too!). This photo below is only a portion of the play area!
Velvet Ice Cream Factory
If you’re driving you Branstool Orchards, you MUST stop at Velvet Ice Cream Factory just a few miles away. Ye Olde Mill opens for the season in May. See our write-up about visiting Velvet Ice Cream Factory and Ye Olde Mill.
Jitterbug Cafe & Parlor
Another great stop just down the road from Branstool Orchards is Jitterbug Café! This is one of my favorite coffee shops, and it always worth the stop if you are in the area. (Open Tuesday-Saturday until 3 pm).
In addition to brunch and breakfast, they offer a wide-assortment of pastries, beverages and gluten-free goodies. The menu and décor are 1920’s era speakeasy themed for a fun experience. Facebook | website
Branstool Orchards
5895 Johnstown Utica Rd
Utica, Ohio, OH 43080
(740) 892-3989
website | Facebook
Past events at Branstool
Sunflowers, Zinnias, and more
TBA for 2026! Fill a jar for $15 or a French bucket for $25. We also have pricing for just a few flowers. Check in at the market first. Flowers are for everyone!
Check website for details about bloom.
Have questions about any events? Please call us at 740892-3989 or email branstoolorchards@gmail.com
Branstool Orchards
5895 Johnstown Utica Rd
Utica, OH 43080
(740) 892-3989
Leave a Reply