Where to pick your own apples near Columbus

Picking the perfect apple is a fall staple, and there are plenty of spots less than an hour's drive from Columbus where the tradition is already underway.

Our picks, with links to harvest schedules:

• Branstool Orchards: 5895 Johnstown Utica Road NE, Utica.
• CherryHawk Farm: 16220 Springdale Road, Marysville.
• The Orchard & Co: 7255 U.S. Highway 42, Plain City.
• Ochs Fruit Farm: 2161 Pleasantville Road, Lancaster.
• Lynd Fruit Farm: 9399 Morse Road SW, Pataskala.

Of note: Mark your calendars for Lynd's Honeycrisp day on Sept. 6.

• Plan to line up in the morning before the gates open — the Honeycrisps go fast.
• Alissa once showed up in the afternoon, like an amateur, and the trees were already picked clean.

What's next: So what should you do with all those apples once you pick 'em? Ohio Proud has a list of apple-themed recipes to inspire you.

• We're intrigued by the apple-blue cheese mac and cheese, but you can't go wrong with a classic dessert like bread pudding or apple dumplings.