Beasley’s Orchard: What to Pick, Eat and Do

Before my recent visit, I thought of Beasley’s Orchard mainly as a fall destination. That’s when the farm has the most going on, but it isn’t the only time to visit. This Danville, Indiana, farm offers U-pick crops from spring through fall, and its market stays open year-round.

A big thank you to Visit Hendricks County for hosting my visit.

U-Pick Crops From Spring Through Fall

Third-generation farmer Calvin Beasley led us on a wagon tour of the farm. He told us they grow more than 30 crops and try to keep something available for U-pick from around Memorial Day through Halloween, including spring berries, summer flowers, and fall apples and pumpkins.

Pick Your Own Flowers

Wandering through bright, colorful rows of flowers is one of my favorite farm activities, so I was excited to pick zinnias at Beasley’s. I checked in at the field hut and chose from three container sizes. Visitors pay a $3 field fee plus the cost of their chosen container.

They handed me a pair of clippers, and I headed into the field to cut zinnias in a mix of colors for my bouquet. Afterward, I stopped at the shaded water station to strip off the extra leaves, trim the stems, and fill my container with water.

I’m definitely not a natural at arranging flowers, but I had fun seeing it all come together.

Pick Strawberries

Beasley’s opens its strawberry fields for U-pick in the spring, when we’re all more than ready for fresh-from-the-farm everything. As we rode past several strawberry fields, Calvin pointed out one planted with a variety I’d never heard of before: Malwina.

This late variety ripens about two weeks after the regular strawberry season ends. Calvin told us they’re among the farm’s sweetest berries, with dark red flesh, and they can grow quite large. That particular field isn’t open for U-pick, so farm workers harvest those berries. I’m dying to taste one!

Pick Apples

Apples are the farm’s biggest crop, and because different varieties ripen throughout the season, there’s usually something new to pick or try.

Beasley’s grows apples on both traditionally planted trees and smaller trees arranged in high-density rows. The newer setup gives the apples more even sunlight and makes them easier to pick. I could clearly see the difference as we rode through the orchard.

The varieties caught my attention too, especially new-to-me apples like EverCrisp, Ludacrisp, and Red Zeppelin. Beasley’s also grows Honeycrisp, a customer favorite, but I learned it doesn’t store as well as some of the newer “crisp” varieties. I’m adding those to my “need to taste” list.

Shop the Barn Market

It smelled so good when I walked into the Barn Market! They have fresh seasonal produce, local honey, apple butter, jams, baked goods (read: apple cider donuts), and gifts. About half of what the farm grows is sold directly to visitors through the Barn Market and U-pick fields.

During my tour, I also went up into the loft to watch apples being sorted, graded, and packed.

If you love slushies, I can vouch for the apple cider version. I only had a sample, but I’d happily order a full one next time. I also tried Beasley’s award-winning sweet apple cider. I loved the original hard cider too, and I couldn’t leave without having an apple cider donut.

I managed not to buy everything I tried, but a box of donuts definitely made the trip home with me. I’ll always love the cinnamon sugar ones, but the glazed are my favorite!

Fall Festivals and Attractions

Beasley’s runs its fall attractions daily during the season, while weekends add themed festivals with food trucks, pony rides, live music, and face painting. Admission also includes several play areas and games, such as the Jumbo Jumping Pillow and Straw Mountain.

Pro Tip: For a quieter experience and lower entry fees, visit on a weekday.

Take a Hayride to the Pumpkin Patch

Fall admission includes a hayride to the U-pick patch, where visitors can choose pumpkins to purchase and take home. When we passed the fields, some pumpkins were still ripening while others had already turned orange. I also noticed what looked like straw beneath the vines, which Calvin explained is part of the farm’s no-till planting method.

The layer is actually a cereal rye cover crop planted in November. After it grows through the winter, workers crimp it flat and plant the pumpkin seeds directly through it. The rye helps the soil retain moisture, reduces weed and disease pressure, and keeps the pumpkins from sitting directly in the dirt. For visitors, that means fewer muddy pumpkin bottoms at picking time.

Go Through the Annual Corn Maze

Beasley’s designs a new corn maze every year. The 2026 maze celebrates America’s 250th anniversary, and entry is included with fall admission.

Shoot the Apple Cannon

The apple cannon was one of the activities I watched during my first fall visit. Since it was raining, I stood under an umbrella while my friend loaded an apple, aimed at a target, and fired. Fall admission includes five shots, giving visitors several chances to hit a target.

My Take on Beasley’s Orchard

Fall is still when Beasley’s has the most going on, but picking zinnias convinced me not to wait until October to visit. Next time, I’ll check what’s ready for U-pick and plan from there. Either way, I’m stopping at the market for donuts!

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