It’s that time of year again. Football season is in full swing, the trees are beginning their annual dormancy process, and before long, you’ll enjoy the smell of homemade apple pies and cobbler all across the tri-state. It’s apple-picking time.
Some of my most fond memories are of picking apples at Orchard Lane in Xenia. Family and friends would all meet at my parent’s house, and we would load up in the family vans, station wagons (everyone would fight over the rear-facing third seat), and a couple people in the ever-famous Renault Le Car (only the super-skinny people could ride in that car), and head out singing songs and strategizing our plans for hide and seek in the orchard, or better yet how to get a rotten apple or two down my sister’s shirt.
We pulled into the orchard parking lot, and we barely placed the cars in park before kids start leaping out in sweet anticipation of their fun-filled afternoon. We would spend half a day laughing and talking about all the different things we were going to make with the apples – pies, cobbler, and tarts…. Ahh, the good ol’ days….
Crisp fall afternoons, sunny skies, a nice breeze, and rolling hills overlooking central Greene County. Families coming and going, everyone laughing and running around like it was recess at a local elementary school. I’m not sure who had more fun – the children or the adults.
If you decide to go to an orchard to enjoy the annual harvesting of apples, here are a few things to keep in mind. I suggest following the motto of the Boy Scouts – “Be Prepared.” Plan on having fun and being safe. Nothing can turn a good day bad, like falling off a ladder or getting cut by a broken branch. Second, dress accordingly. You’re most likely going to get dirty. During the fall season, rainstorms and cool weather can arrive unexpectedly. You might want to pack a day-trip bag/backpack: ponchos, extra socks and pants for each person, sunscreen, and some bottled water and snacks, just in case. And last, but not least, bring a camera. You’ll want to capture all the fun of the day.
Also, if the orchard has specific rules (which rows to pick from, parent-child supervision, etc…), make sure you know them ahead of time.
So, what type of apple is for what? In general, the following sample of apple varieties is listed by best use/taste. Of course there are other varieties out there, but this list gives you a good idea of the most common ones:
· Eating Uncooked: Granny Smith, Cameo, Cortland, Empire, Yellow and Red Delicious, Braeburn, Melrose, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Goldrush, Jonathon, McIntosh, Jonagold, and Gala
· Making Pies/Cobblers: Cameo, Cortland, Idared, Newtown Pippen, Rome, Crispen, Braeburn, Yellow Delicious, Melrose, Jonathon, Fuji, and Gala
· Freezing: Fuji, Gala, Yellow Delicious, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith
· In Salads: Granny Smith, Cameo, Cortland, Empire, Yellow and Red Delicious, Braeburn, Melrose, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Goldrush, Jonathon, Jonagold, and Gala
· Sweet: Yellow and Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Fuji and Gala
· Tart: Winesap, Jonagold and Melrose and Braeburn (a mix of sweet and tart), Goldrush,
According to www.ohioapples.org, many of the orchards in our area have hayrides, corn mazes, cider, farm animals/petting zoo, and various other fall produce. So, pack up the kids and make some memories of your own, memories that will last a lifetime.
To locate an orchard in Southwest Ohio, along with their individual seasonal activities, you can visit either www.ohioapples.org, or contact the Ohio Apples Marketing Program at 1-800-466-5171 (via email at info@ohioapples.com), or http://www.pickyourown.org/OHcinc.htm#listings (listed by county).
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