The cherished tradition of gathering in the parking lot to eat and drink before a big game (or concert) has evolved into a serious affair. Tailgates are now often meticulously planned events, sometimes even more enjoyable than the game itself—especially if your team doesn’t come out on top. Certain staples, like Buffalo wings, chili, deviled eggs, and veggies with dip, are expected at any tailgate spread. While you’ll find these classics on this list, there are also some delightful surprises, such as a cheeseball, candied bacon, and a standout sandwich that far surpasses a standard hoagie or sub. Best of all, this list will help you easily answer the question, “What should I bring to the tailgate?   Buffalo Chicken Chili   Buffalo Hummus   Korean BBQ Pork Ribs   Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese   Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce     Candied Bacon   Easy Stuffed Stomboli   Peanut Butter Buckeyes   Texas Sheet Cake   Gooey Butter Cake   * * * * * References: Simply Recipes https://www.simplyrecipes.com/the-best-tailgating-recipes-7569290  

  Whether you’re looking for peace among the trees with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop or a farm where the kids can unleash their energy in corn mazes and on jumping pillows, these pick-your-own apple orchards are just 90 minutes away from home.   Butler’s Orchard Drive Time: 45 minutes This farm features 23 varieties of fruits and vegetables, ensuring there’s something to pick throughout the year. Apples are ripe for the picking this month and next. Admission is $3 online or $4 at the gate. Making a reservation ensures your spot, but walk-ins are welcome if space allows. When booking your time slot, you can choose from three sizes of apple bags that hold 3-12 pounds of fruit, priced between $10 and $28. Admission also includes access to the Farm Park, which features giant slides, a playground, and farm animals. Note that the park will close on September 16 for the Pumpkin Festival, running from September 21 to November 3. // 22222 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, Maryland   Great Country Farms Drive Time: 1 hour Spanning 400 acres, this farm offers a wide array of activities, including two pumpkin jumping pillows, a cow train, mini golf, mazes, a farm ninja course, and a new mega slide—so visitors might need a nudge to head to the orchards. Apple picking is available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, September Fuji, Ruby Jon, and more. Apples are priced at $1.99 per pound, in addition to the farm admission fee starting at $12. The Fall Apple Harvest & Corn Maze runs through September 30, with a 1.5-acre corn maze and a 15-acre play area to explore. On weekends, enjoy live music, cider pressing demonstrations, and marshmallow roasts. Additionally, First Responders Days, offering free admission for emergency workers and their immediate families, are from September 7 to 15. Prefer a nighttime adventure? Check out the schedule for Family Flashlight Corn Maze Nights. // 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, Virginia   Hartland Orchard Drive Time: 1 Hour Apple picking kicked off on Labor Day weekend and runs through October at this family-owned farm, offering a wide selection of varieties, including Smokehouse, Greening, Stayman, and Granny Smith. Plus, from September 15 to November 5, you can enjoy fresh apple cider as well. // 3064 Hartland Lane, Markham, Virginia   Hollin Farms Drive Time: 1 Hour Established in the 1950s, this Blue Ridge Mountain farm offers pick-your-own apples, including varieties like Wolf River, Empire, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Idared, Grimes Golden, and Shizuka. You can mix and match your apples for $20 per peck. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to dig up your own potatoes for $1 per pound, and explore other fall veggies like broccoli raab, arugula, and mustard greens. Although the farm doesn’t have playgrounds or animals, it does feature a bakery open on weekends, where you can enjoy apple cider doughnuts and other delicious treats. // 1524 Snowden Road, Delaplane, Virginia   Homestead Farm Drive Time: 1 Hour Open seven days a week, Homestead Farm has a $4 admission fee, plus $2.19 per pound for the apples you pick. You can fill your container with varieties like CrimsonCrisp and Jonagold. Don’t forget to visit the market for apple cider and fresh veggies to take home, including tomatoes, okra, beets, and kale. // 15604 Sugarland Road, Poolesville, Maryland   Larriland Farm Drive Time: 1 Hour Attention, hayride enthusiasts! Starting September 21, enjoy a 20-minute hayride around the property on Saturdays and Sundays for $4, where you’ll pass through a stream and woods adorned with handcrafted storybook characters. After the ride, head to the orchard to pick your apples. Currently, you can find Autumn Crisp and Daybreak Fuji, but with 26 varieties grown on this 50-year-old farm, be sure to check the website for the latest updates before your visit. // 2415 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, Maryland   Mackintosh Fruit Farm Drive Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes No reservations are needed to pick Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Queen’s Blush apples at this farm, which also offers you-pick Asian pears, eggplant, and herbs. For adults, the Cider Room features local hard ciders, wines, craft beers, and appetizers like charcuterie boards and pretzel bites. Families can enjoy the Mackintosh Farm Café, serving quiche, chicken pot pie, and delicious pumpkin and apple cider doughnuts. In fact, this farm is the first stop on the 302-mile Virginia apple cider doughnut trail. // 1608 Russell Road, Berryville, Virginia   Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market Drive Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes With a history dating back to 1908, this family-owned farm offers 12 varieties of apples for picking during September and October, including Yatika Fuji, Nittany, Red Delicious, and Rome. Consider visiting on October 12 for the Apple Harvest Festival, where you can enjoy homemade treats like apple cobbler, apple cider, apple pies, turnovers, and even apple pie ice cream and doughnuts. The event will also feature live music, local crafters and vendors, and a cow train for a scenic ride around the farm. // 3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester, Virginia  * * * * * References: Arlington Magazine https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/pick-your-own-apples-orchards-farms-dc-maryland-virginia/.

  Fall Lawn Care Tips for Lush Grass in the Spring!   Adjust Your Mowing Height - If you raised your lawn mower height in summer to reduce heat stress, adjust the mower deck back to its normal height in fall. Cutting the grass slightly shorter in autumn helps prevent it from matting under leaves and snow. However, avoid cutting it too short, as closely clipped grass has fewer roots and can make your lawn more susceptible to weeds.   Give Your Grass Plenty of Water - If a summer drought continues into autumn, make sure to water your lawn deeply a few times before the frost arrives. Adding a couple of thorough soakings to your fall lawn care routine will help your landscape transition smoothly into winter before the soil freezes. While nature may provide some moisture through rain, if you need to water, do so in the morning when winds are lighter. This minimizes evaporation and helps the soil retain most of the moisture.   Apply Fertilizer - Fall is the ideal time to fertilize your lawn in northern regions. Cool-season grasses, such as bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass, benefit greatly from feeding in early September and again in late fall (October or November). Adding fertilization to your fall lawn care routine will help your grass achieve a vibrant green color sooner and look more lush come spring.   Repair Dead Patches - Early fall is the perfect time to reseed dead or thin patches in cool-season lawns. Using a mulch product that combines seed and fertilizer can efficiently address sparse areas. Prepare the soil by raking it before applying the seed mixture. To promote rapid germination, water the newly seeded patches regularly for a couple of weeks following application.   Check for Thatch - Thatch is a layer of dead organic matter that accumulates near the soil surface. A thick thatch layer can lead to disease, insect issues, and make your grass more susceptible to drought and cold weather damage. Thatch often develops from over-fertilizing or excessive watering. To check for thatch, use a spade to turn over a small section of turf. If the thatch layer is one inch or less, it’s generally not a problem. However, if it exceeds one inch, your lawn will benefit from removal.   Remove Excess Thatch - Dethatching involves cutting through the thatch layer and removing the debris. Power rakes or vertical mowers are effective tools for this task and can be rented from hardware stores or tool libraries. After using one of these machines, use a hand rake to collect and remove the thatch from your lawn, and then compost the debris.   Aerate - Aeration is an important fall lawn care practice that helps reduce thatch, enhance drainage, and loosen soil. Core aerators are the most effective type for this task, as they remove plugs of soil, known as cores, which helps break up thatch and improve soil structure. The cores are left on the surface of the lawn, where they gradually decompose with rain, mowing, and foot traffic.   Attack Weeds - The most effective way to combat weeds without resorting to chemical herbicides is by nurturing a healthy, lush lawn. Focus on mowing at the correct height, aerating as needed, and applying fertilizer to supply essential nutrients. A well-maintained lawn will often shade out smaller weeds.   Apply a Topdressing - Topdressing involves spreading a thin layer of soil or compost over your existing turf. This technique enhances growing conditions by reducing thatch, increasing soil organic matter, smoothing out lawn bumps, and reducing the need for fertilizer. After dethatching and aerating your lawn, apply a ¼- to ½-inch layer of high-quality soil across the entire yard, focusing on areas where the grass is thinning. Rake the topdressing into the soil to ensure it integrates well.   Remove Fallen Leaves - Clear fallen leaves by either raking them up or using a mulching mower to prevent them from matting and suffocating your grass. A mulching mower is effective at shredding small amounts of leaves and returning the organic matter to the soil, similar to topdressing. To stay ahead of leaf buildup, run the mulching mower over your lawn every few days. If there are too many leaves for the mower to handle, rake them up and compost them instead.   Drain Irrigation Lines - Before freezing weather sets in, make sure to completely drain your lawn's irrigation system. Use compressed air or drain valves to empty the system. For optimal results, turn off the water supply and drain each zone individually. Additionally, be sure to drain the main supply line from the house.       References: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/lawn-care/fall-lawn-care-secrets/