Fall is here and we only have a few weeks left.  This weekend we will be picking McIntosh and we will start picking Snow Sweet.  There are a few Sweet Sixteen and Honey Crisp left but I dont think they will last too long.  After that we will have Haralson.  We have had so  much rain this summer that the Haralson have what is called sooty blotch.  It doesnt hurt the apple in any way, it just makes it look dirty.  It is easliy washed off.  But since I am not going to hand wash 200 bushels of Haralson, we will be offering a discount on them.  They are what I would call seconds.  There just not as pretty as they should be.  So if you are looking to add to your freezer for the winter, be sure and ask about them.  When you grow anything on any kind of scale larger than your average garden, you will run into these things from time to time.  I have had sooty blotch before (its kind of hard not to get it in some way) just never to this degree.  It is caused by excessive rainfall and high humidity.  We have had both all summer.
  Anyway, the remainder of the fall looks good.  The very last apples this year will be Haralson and Connell Red.  On top of that, we will also have both cider and honey.  the cider has been flying out the door so we will try to make alittle extra tomorrow night.  Its going to be chilly this weekend so stop out for a bag of apples and a hot cup of cider.  Lexi will be hiding somewhere in the orchard too!

Who doesnt love a freshly picked apple?  That is my granddaughter eating her first apple right off the tree!  This weekend we will be picking the last of the Sweet Sixteen and Honey Crisp.  We will also start picking McIntosh.  A very delicious apple.  Its crunchy, tart and alittle sweet.  Good for anything from pies to apple sauce or eating right from the tree!  I think next weekend we will start picking Haralred.  They are almost identical to a Haralson except the Haralred is alittle more red in color and they ripen just a bit before the Haralson.  Along with that, will be Snow Sweet.  They should be ready in a week or so.  I'll let you know when after I try one and see.  Thats a benefit of having an orchard.  I get to try alot of apples and at different times to see whne they are just right.  We will also have both cider and honey this weekend too.  Fall is finally here and the cooler weather will help the apples for sure.  See you then!

The time has arrived!  This weekend, we will start picking Sweet Sixteen and Honey Crisp.  We will also have the last of the Zestar and Goodland.  The crop of Honey Crisp is about like last years crop.  Not huge by any means, but I would call it an average crop.  Honey Crisp is a difficult apple to grow and we are the northern edge of growing it.  The winters give the trees a real beating.  Thats why we planted so many in the first place, because we knew how difficult it was going to be.  On the horizon will be Haralred / Haralson and Snow Sweet.  They should be ready in a few weeks.  McIntosh should be ready by next weekend.  This is prime season, so if you like apples, we will have plenty.  We will also have cider this weekend and we still have a very good supply of honey.  See  you this weekend!

Even though fall is not here yet, the feel of it is!  These cool nighttime temps will help things along.  This weekend we will be picking Zestar and Chestnut Crab.  The Zestar this year are outstanding as always.  Without a doubt one of my favorites.  Its also a warm up to whats on the horizon.  Honey Crisp and Sweet Sixteen.   I anticipate both will be ready by next weekend.  Those will be followed by McIntosh and Snow Sweet in 2-3 weeks.  We have a total of 14 different varieties for you to try and the majority of them are ready during the month of September and into early October.  This weekend looks like its going to be perfect, weather wise, so come on out and try some cider and a bag of your new favorite apples!