Blue Jay Orchards

Family and friends can enjoy apple picking at Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel. The 2020 season has begun and the first type of apple ready for picking is McIntosh. Their farm market is also now open seven days a week, from 11 am to 5 pm.

Social distancing of six feet is asked to be followed whenever possible and masks must be worn in the farm market, as well as at every purchase area.

For more information, visit bluejayorchardsct.com.

Castle Hill Farm

Castle Hill Farm in Newtown has a variety of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed this fall including pick-your-own pumpkins, a Sunflower Stroll, a vegetable stand, and corn maze. Masks are required throughout the farm.

The Sunflower Stroll is by appointment only and is expected to run through mid-September, possibly later, depending on how long the flowers last.

The vegetable stand will allow one group in at a time and people can request items be brought out to them.

Castle Hill Farm’s seven-and-a-half acre corn maze is anticipated to be open later this month and its theme celebrates nurses. The design includes a stethoscope and big heart. Owner Diana Paproski said the theme was actually chosen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was selected to honor the family’s youngest daughter, Shannon, for graduating school and becoming an RN at Waterbury Hospital. Now it also serves as a thank you to all the healthcare workers during this pandemic. To accommodate social distancing needs, corn maze walkways have been widened to six feet and there are pull-off areas throughout the maze for families to safely stay to the side if they need to stop walking. It has also been modified as a one-way corn maze.

Reservations for the Sunflower Stroll and corn maze can be made online. For more information, visit castlehillfarm.net.

Silverman’s Farm

Silverman’s Farm in Easton currently has its farm market open seven days a week, from 9 am to 5 pm, and is allowing four customers in at a time to provide a safe shopping environment. Curbside pick is available for customers who would like to pre-order by phone, and online orders can be made for pies and donuts.

Pick--your-own apple picking is now open, weekdays only, with Ginger Gold apples available first, and the animal farm is open seven days a week.

Masks are mandatory at Silverman’s Farm for adults and children over the age of two who can safely wear one.

For more information, visit silvermansfarm.com.