By Nancy Kane
Halsey Farm & Nursery counts 11th-, 12th- and 13th-generation Halseys working the land, and this Water Mill farm stand shines with that history. A large assortment of vegetables, freshly cut flowers and a wide selection of local fruits and baked goods is available, including apples in every variety, winter squash and corn. A wagon of pumpkins greets visitors on arrival, imploring them to take a traditional orange or a spookier dark green or white variety home. 513 Deerfield Rd., Water Mill
Squash and sweet potatoes contain alpha- and beta-carotene to promote healthy eyesight, and apples and pears offer essential vitamins and antioxidants, so besides tasting great, they are good for you, too. Schmitt’s Farm Stand in Riverhead has these and more. Cauliflower and leeks will make your supper sing with flavor. 3355 Sound Ave., Riverhead
At Wickham’s Fruit Farm, 13th-generation farmer Tom Wickham grows a large variety of apples, and many other fruits, on his sprawling property in Cutchogue. Pick your own Macoun, Honeycrisp and Gala varieties from the orchard, and snag a few beach plums, too. 28700 Main Rd., Cutchogue
For family fun, head to Harbes Orchard in Riverhead, where you will find 27 types of apples to pick on your own, including Gale Gala, Daybreak Fuji and Gold Rush. Pluck a pumpkin as well, in between a hayride or a trip inside the winding corn maze. Live music and wine tasting are also offered on select days. 5698 Sound Ave., Riverhead
Since 1969, the area’s beloved Milk Pail has been a must-stop during the fall season. At Water Mill’s Milk Pail U-Pick Farm (50 Horsemill Lane), choose from a variety (24!) of apples—some not found anywhere else—as well as 55 varieties of pumpkins and gourds. At their Fresh Market (1346 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill) scoop up fresh veggies grown at the family farm, as well as homemade baked goods. Don’t miss their fresh apple cider.
Krupski Farms makes the most of its 50 acres during winter squash season, offering acorn, butternut and Hubbard. The famous Long Island Cheese pumpkins are back in abundance—perfect for making the best pumpkin bread and pies around. This Peconic farm offers hayrides, a haunted barn and a haunted maze with live actors to entertain all members of the family. 38030 Route 25, Peconic
Quail Hill Farm is part of the Peconic Land Trust. This Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Amagansett stand features organic heirloom tomatoes, specialty squash, zucchini, kale, sweet potatoes and much more. Membership is required, with winter shares available now. Quail Hill offers wellness-oriented programs such as morning meditation and grieving circle, as well as programming on farming and land preservation.
660 Old Stone Hwy., Amagansett
With farmland spanning almost 30 acres, Amber Waves in Amagansett uses farming practices based in sustainable agriculture and land stewardship. With a great CSA program, Amber Waves offers organic produce as well as a café with baked-in-house pastries with their home-grown wheat flour—and what says fall more than a farm stand version of the classic school sandwich: sunflower seed butter and seasonal homemade jam? 367 Main St., Amagansett
