Apple Picking
Pick-Your-own will be for 2 weekends beginning October 1 – – , while the crop lasts. We release apple varieties as they ripen, so please choose to come when your favorite will be ready. Purchase your picking bag at the Farm Market prior to entering the orchard area. ***Not all varieties will be available from the chart below.
Here is the ripening schedule of each apple variety offered by Hillside Orchard, along with the best way to enjoy each one:
E = Excellent | VG = Very Good | G = Good | F = Fair | * = The apple holds its shape well
Approx. Ripening Date
|
Variety
|
Eat/Salad
|
Sauce
|
Baking
|
August 20th | Paula Red : semi-tart, crisp | VG | G | G |
Wealthy : tart, semi-firm | F | G | G | |
September 10th | McIntosh : semi-tart, all purpose | VG | E | F |
September 25th | Cortland : semi-tart, tender skin | E | G | E |
Jonee : semi-tart, crisp, juicy | E | G | G | |
October 1st | Jonathan : semi-tart, crisp | E | G | E |
Red Delicious : sweet, very firm | E | – | F | |
Greening : tart, rather dry | – | E | E* | |
October 10th | Empire : semi-sweet, crisp | E | E | E |
Golden Delicious : sweet, juicy, semi-firm | E | E | E* | |
Regent : sweet, very firm | E | G | E | |
October 15th | Winesap : semi-tart, spicy, firm | E | G | E* |
Northern Spy : tart, firm, tender skin | E | E | E* | |
Mutsu : sweet, crisp, juicy | E | E | E | |
Melrose** : semi-sweet, crisp | E | E | E | |
Ida Red : tart, crisp | G | VG | E | |
October 20th | Commander York : semi-tart, very hard | E | – | G* |
November 1st | Granny Smith : tart, very-firm | E | – | E* |
** The Melrose was developed at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster in the late 1940’s. A cross between Red Delicious and Jonathan, this very popular sweet-tart apple grows better in the upper half of Ohio than anywhere else in the U.S.A.!! What a treat!
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Blueberries…
Blueberry season typically begins Mid-July through the end of August. We offer pick-your-own blueberries on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday during our normal farm hours.
Picking these blue ‘gems’ is lots of family-fun AND you get to stand up while you work! We supply the picking pails. ALL you need are your hands. (You may want to bring a belt to hold the pail at your waist).
The health benefits are sunshine while you pick, and the berries are filled with (per cup)… 80 calories, low fat and sodium content, high in vitamin C and manganese (manganese helps the body process cholesterol and nutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins). Also an excellent source of dietary fiber and anti-oxidants.
EASY TO FREEZE: Wash, dry, put in containers & place in the freezer.
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