Apples are large, ripe for the pickin'

It's apple time again. Long Island's many U-pick orchards are open for getting your fill by the bag, peck or bushel.

Growers say this year's crop is thriving, even in the wake of Tropical Store Irene, which caused minor damage to the trees.

Size-wise, the fruit is "larger than I've ever seen it," says Tim Kraszewski, who grows 14 kinds of apples at his Seven Ponds Orchard in Water Mill -- including a new super-sweet SnowSweet variety. As for other newcomers: Davis Peach Farm in Wading River has Tsugaru apples, described as good for eating. New at Woodside Orchards in Aquebogue and Jamesport is a late-ripening Arkansas Black apple.

"This is an antique variety that isn't grown around here," says co-owner Scott Gammon. "They're a hard, firm, tart apple. If you like a Granny Smith, this one will appeal to you."

Here's a rundown of orchards that have opened for the season (though hours will vary day to day, depending on the weather and how the fruit is ripening).

The Milk Pail

Horsemill Lane, Water Mill

INFO 631-537-2565,

milk-pail.com

HOURS 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Columbus Day

COST $32 for a 20-pound bag

VARIETIES 26, including Paula Red, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, GoldRush and Red Delicious

Wickham's Fruit Farm8700 Rte. 25, Cutchogue

INFO 631-734-6441,

wickhamsfruitfarm.com

HOURS 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday.

PRICE $20 a family to join the U-pick club, then $29 for half a bushel (24 to 25 pounds)

VARIETIES More than 12, including sweet-tart Aceymac and NY 674 (good for baking and applesauce)

Free wagon rides to the orchard are offered on Saturdays and holidays.

Davis Peach Farm561 Hulse Landing Rd., Wading River

INFO 631-929-1115,

davispeachfarm.com

HOURS 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

PRICE $1.20 a pound

VARIETIES 30, including Gala, Cortland and Tsugaru

Hank's Pumpkintown240 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill

INFO 631-726-4667,

hankspumpkintown.com

HOURS 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and Columbus Day through Oct. 31

COST $16 per one-peck bag (10 pounds)

VARIETIES 11, including Macoun, Jonagold and Fuji

Windy Acres Farm3810 Main Rd./Middle Country Road, Calverton

INFO 631-727-4554

HOURS 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

COST $14 for a quarter bushel (10 to 12 pounds)

VARIETIES 30, including Gala, McIntosh and Cortland

The farm sells apple cider doughnuts and has a playground.

Lewin Farms/

Baiting Hollow Nurseries812 Sound Ave., Calverton

INFO 631-929-4327, lewinfarm.com

HOURS 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and Columbus Day

COST $1 a pound

VARIETIES 13, including Empire, Mutsu and Granny Smith

Woodside Orchards729 Main Rd., Aquebogue, and 116 Manor Lane, Jamesport

INFO 631-722-5770

HOURS 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily in Aquebogue, Saturdays-Sundays and Columbus Day only in Jamesport

COST $15 a peck (12 to 14 pounds)

VARIETIES 27, including Braeburn, Golden Delicious and Arkansas Black

On-site bakery makes homemade pies, apple cider doughnuts and apple slushes.

Seven Ponds Orchard65 Seven Ponds Rd., Water Mill

INFO 631-726-8015

HOURS 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

COST $1.39 a pound

VARIETIES 14, including Ginger Gold, Empire and SnowSweet

There's also a farm market, wooden toy land and rides on miniature John Deere tractors.Harbes Farm and Orchard

5698 Sound Ave., Riverhead

INFO 631-298-0800, harbesfamilyfarm.com

HOURS 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and Columbus Monday