Fruit picking Facts for Kids

Orchard ladders in an old apple orchard in British Columbia, Canada, 2005

Fruit picking is a fun activity where people gather fruit from trees or plants. It can be a job for people who work on farms, or it can be a fun way for families to spend time together. This activity happens during the harvest season, which is when fruits are ripe and ready to be picked.

Some farms let people pick their own fruit. This is often called "You-Pick" or "Pick-Your-Own." It's a popular way for farms to attract visitors and offer a unique experience. For example, many people enjoy picking apples in North America.

Different Types of Fruit Picking
- Picking Apples
Who Picks the Fruit?
Robots and Fruit Picking
Fruit Picking in Art
See also

Different Types of Fruit Picking

Picking Apples

L. K. Relander, a former President of Finland, picking apples with his family in the 1930s.

Apple picking in Styria

Apple picking is a popular activity at apple farms. Many apple orchards open their gates to the public. This allows visitors to pick their own apples directly from the trees. You can also buy apples that have already been picked by the farm workers.

Picking apples is more than just buying fruit; it's often a social event. In some parts of the United States, it's a popular activity for friends and families. Many apple orchards that welcome families offer extra fun activities. These might include petting zoos, restaurants, or farm shops. These shops often sell tasty products like homemade jams and jellies made from the farm's fruit. This is especially popular in the Northeastern United States and parts of Canada.

Apples that fall from the trees are often used to make Apple cider. Apple cider is a refreshing juice. It is made by grinding the apples and then pressing out their juice.

Who Picks the Fruit?

Polytunnels for growing fruit with caravans for workers in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, March 2009

A lot of fruit picking is done by workers who travel to different areas to find jobs during harvest time. These workers are very important for getting fresh fruit to our tables. In places like California, many workers come from Mexico to help with the harvests.

In Australia and New Zealand, many young people who are traveling on a special "working holiday" visa also pick fruit. The governments in these countries encourage them to do this type of work. If they work for a certain amount of time in specific areas, they can sometimes stay in the country for an extra year. This helps farms get the workers they need.

Robots and Fruit Picking

Since it can be expensive to pay people to pick fruit, scientists are designing robots to help. These robots could one day pick fruit instead of humans. This research is still ongoing. A big challenge is making sure the robots don't bruise the fruit while picking it. One idea is to use special suction cups to gently grab the fruit. So far, much of the research has focused on robots that pick citrus fruits like oranges. Scientists are also working on robots that can pick cherries.