About Garwood Orchard & Farm Market
Garwood Orchard & Farm Market is one of the oldest family farms in La Porte County. John Garwood, a carpenter, settled here in 1831, and his original homestead still stands on Small Road. Tom, Brian and Mike Garwood, the sixth generation, now run about 350 acres, with roughly 200 acres in apples and the rest in peaches, berries, cherries, pumpkins, sweet corn and vegetables. Carl Garwood started the market in the 1950s by selling apples and cider out of a garage.
U-pick runs from late May through October 31. Strawberries come first in June, then sweet and tart cherries, red and black raspberries, blackberries, plums, peaches and pickling cucumbers through July. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant arrive in August, followed by apples from late August through October and pumpkins in September and October. Apple varieties include Zestar, Honeycrisp, Gala, Pixie Crunch, Crimson Crisp, Jonagold, Ambrosia, Fuji, EverCrisp, Pink Lady and GoldRush, each picked only when ripe. Horse- or tractor-drawn wagons take pickers out from the market on weekdays and from the U-pick farm on weekends.
The market sells donuts, with cinnamon sugar, salted caramel or vanilla icing on weekends, plus caramel apples, cider, pickles and fall decor. Fall weekends are billed as Apple Fest, and the Sept. 12–13, 2026 weekend added craft vendors. School tours for 2026 are booked; fall 2027 bookings open May 1.
Lakeside Lavender and Herbs is also in the La Porte area, about 10 minutes away, so a summer berry morning here pairs neatly with the lavender.
What to do
- Pick strawberries in June and cherries and raspberries in June and July
- Ride a horse- or tractor-drawn wagon out to the U-pick fields
- Pick apples from late August through October, variety by variety
- Choose carving and pie pumpkins in September and October
- Buy donuts, caramel apples and cider at the farm market
- Visit during Apple Fest weekends in the fall
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- U-pick late May through Oct. 31; daily fall U-pick Sept. 4–Oct. 31, 2026
- Hours
- 2026: market 9 am–6 pm; U-pick 9 am–5:30 pm daily in fall, last wagon 4:45 pm
- Admission
- No parking or wagon fee. 2026 U-pick: apples $40 half bushel, $25 peck; berries $6 pint; carving pumpkins $11 each or 3 for $25; $20 minimum per family
Good to know
- Dogs
- Leashed pets allowed in orchard areas and lanes only, not in berry or vegetable fields
- Payment
- Pay before boarding the wagon
Tips for your visit
- Call the same day you plan to come; crops and hours change with weather
- Use the farm's containers, which are sold with the picking price
- Park at the market for shopping and at the U-pick farm for picking; don't walk along the main road
- Keep apples refrigerated near 38°F once home
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lakeside Lavender and Herbs · about 10 minutes away
Combine summer berry picking here with Lakeside Lavender and Herbs, about 10 minutes away in the La Porte area.
Getting there
Questions
When is apple picking at Garwood?
From late August through October 31, with daily fall U-pick Sept. 4–Oct. 31 in 2026.
Can I bring my dog?
Leashed pets are allowed in orchard areas and lanes but not in berry or vegetable fields.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Parking and wagon rides are free; you pay for what you pick, with a $20 minimum per family.
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
