Weather can be your friend or foe in the farming business and the huge crop of 2013 apples shows just how sweet the apple business can be.
Good growing conditions and the large expansion of 4,000 more trees a few years back, has County Line Orchard President Ryan Richardson inviting friends and families throughout the region to come out for fun at the Orchard once more before they wrap up the season November 3rd.
“Great weather, the maturation of all the new trees, introducing even more unique varieties of apples, the Blackhawks corn mazes and all the other activities at the Farm have made for a great season,” Ryan tells me as we drove throughout the farm on a beautiful fall mid-day.
“Normally we are running out of supply after Columbus Day Weekend, but the conditions have been great for plenty of apples still ready for picking in our fields.”
Staples like Jonagold and Suncrisp join varieties like Mrya Fuji and the Shizuki in row after row, and Richardson is like a kid in a candy store as he talks about the array of types they offer, and what each of them are known best for and when to use them.
“Roxbury Russet, 'the uglier the better', will keep into the winter and is great for making cider,” he explained to me for example.
The farm is open daily through November 3rd and Mondays happen to be a great day for region locals to come out and enjoy the full array of the farm without the crowds.
“Come on out and bring your family to enjoy the Orchard. We’ve got the animal farm, the mazes for the kids to run through, and the best crop of apples we have ever had,” Richardson exclaimed.
Sweet Brenda and Spicy Diana welcome you at the tasting table
Ryan Richardson and Buzz Ingram from County Line Orchard with Jason Rudy, Chef of Valley Restaurant and his family
Myra Fuji apples, one of so many awesome varieties with plenty still on the trees to harvest fresh
Apples as far as your eye can see and acres for the kids to roam
Great weather has made for bountiful harvests
Stop for kids-and-family photos in the pumpkin house and the cournucopia display
Let your mind wander in either of the Chicago Blackhawks-themed mazes to enjoy