Apple harvest season is in full swing near Flathead Lake, with growers like O'Farrell Orchards south of Bigfork seeing strong production across multiple varieties. Owner David O'Farrell, who has operated the orchard for close to three decades, said Macintosh remains the top seller of the season.
While the orchards are located well north of Helena in the Flathead Valley, the harvest has downstream effects for consumers and markets throughout western Montana. Helena grocery stores and farmers markets often carry Flathead-region apples in October, and the timing of a strong harvest matters for availability and pricing here.
O'Farrell Orchards grows multiple apple varieties beyond Macintosh, offering pick-your-own and pre-picked options for customers who make the trip north. For Helena residents, the harvest window is short — typically a few weeks in October — making it worth checking local market supply or planning a fall drive north if you want fruit straight from the tree.