It’s Apple Picking Time in the Lakes Region
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
“Surely the apple is the noblest of fruits.”
— Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau knew what he was talking about when he praised the humble apple. He probably reasoned what better food than an apple, which adds flavor unsurpassed as a snack or in a full-course meal?
Every year we look forward to the days when apples are ready for picking. Whether you love a good basic MacIntosh, or crunchy Paula Red or any other variety of apple, you know this time of year cannot be bettered.
This is the time of year when apple orchard owners open their orchards to an eager public to pick apples all over the Lakes Region and beyond. Farmers have been lovingly tending and watching their apple trees for months; apple producers say that in spite of a very hot, dry summer, the weather has not hurt the apple crops. Farmers report very solid crops this year with a large variety of apples from which to choose.
Apples are now ready for picking, and families can enjoy an afternoon spent at an orchard where not only apple picking is fun, but there are wagon rides to the orchards, live music, cider donuts, baked goods, and more.
A New Hampshire favorite orchard is Meadow Ledge Farm at 612 Route 129 in Loudon. Every year, Meadow Ledge has a huge variety of apples, and this year’s crop is proving to be a good one.
Meadow Ledge has about six dozen varieties of apples spread through a large orchard area, with the early season offering Jersey Macs, Blondies, and Zestars. Says Ernie, the owner of Meadow Ledge, “By mid-September we will have MacIntosh apples, which are a favorite with everyone. Following that are Cortland’s, Empire, Red and Golden Delicious and others.”
A number of varieties are available for pick-your-own, and most are also for sale in the country store on premises for customer convenience. Whether you want a full bag of your favorite apple variety or just a few to munch on for a snack, you are welcome at Meadow Ledge.
A fun day at Meadow Ledge Farm begins by grabbing one of the big red plastic containers for apple picking. Once the tractor arrives, hop on the flatbed for a fun ride to the orchard. Signs are posted throughout the orchard to let you know where your favorite apples are available for picking.
After your apple-picking adventure, hop back on the wagon for a ride to the country store. If you see eager customers placing their orders, you know you have arrived at the cider donut area. Watch while the Meadow Ledge crew makes your cider donuts right in front of you; enjoy them hot while you sit outside on a warm autumn afternoon.
The country store sells baked goods, including pies and breads, as well as candy, crafts, jams and jellies, dairy products, farm fresh eggs, honey, mums, and a lot more. Once apple picking season begins after Labor Day, the orchard is open seven days a week from 9 am to 6 pm until around mid to late October; after that, they are open up to the Christmas holiday season. Starting in January, the business is open on Saturdays with apples for sale until the spring season, when hours increase once again. Please call for information and definite hours at 603-798-5860 or visit www.meadowledgefarm.com.
Cardigan Mountain Orchard at 1540 Mount Cardigan Road in Alexandria is open with pick-your-own apples in a beautiful country setting. “We have many varieties of apples,” explains second-generation co-owner David Bleiler. The orchard spans many acres and is a definite favorite with those who like a scenic location with many pick-your-own varieties of apples.
The Bleiler family rejuvenated an old orchard in the 1970s and has been running Cardigan Mountain Orchard for over 50 years. They have updated, tended, and added to the orchard over the years.
The result is a wonderful place to visit, whether to pick your own apples or to stop by and purchase your favorite variety at the farmstand on the property. (You can pick apples in the orchard or stop by the farmstand for apples. Donuts, pie, and cider are available Thursday to Sunday while supplies last.)
Currently, as of press time, Cardigan Mountain Orchard was offering Paula Red apples with varieties such as MacIntosh, Cortland, Honeycrisp, and many more as the season progresses.
In nearby Bristol, the Cardigan Mountain Country Store, owned by the Bleilers, is located on Lake Street. The store is a charming and fun place to visit, offering handmade items by local artisans, including soaps, woodworking, pottery, photography, and many other items.
Cardigan Mountain Country Store is well-known and popular for its homemade apple pie for sale in the store, as well as baked goods. “By the end of September, we will also have cider,” says David.
Cardigan Mountain Country Store is open until Christmas Eve; for more information and open hours/apples being offered for picking, call 603-744-2248 or visit www.cardiganmtnorchard.com.
For tasty pick-your-own apples, visit Surowiec Farm at 53 Perley Hill Road in Sanbornton. The farm is open daily through Columbus Day from 9 am to 5 pm with pick-your-own Macintosh, Macoun, Empire, Cortland and Ginger Gold apples; apples are also available for sale in the farmstand. (Not all apples are available at the same time, with varieties offered throughout the season
Says owner Katie Surowiec, “We are open for apple picking. We started the first week of September with MacIntosh apples. The orchard is within walking distance of the farmstand, so it is all convenient. The farmstand has vegetables, beef, other meats, eggs and we sell donuts from our donut trailer on weekends. We also have bread for sale.”
This year’s crop, says Katie, is good with a large variety of apples. The hot weather has not hurt the orchard at Surowiec, and she anticipates a good picking season. Call 603-286-4069 for information and updates.
For old-fashioned, delicious apples, cider donuts, and some music, head to Smith Orchard at 184 Leavitt Road in Belmont. The orchard has pick your own Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, Macintosh, Cortland, Macoun and Jona Gold, and Red and Yellow Delicious apples. In the farm stand, apples, jams, jellies, honey, and maple products and mixes such as apple crisp mix, are for sale.
Says owner Wendy Richter, “This year we have something new: the Appleseed Café, where we offer apple cider donuts and coffee, as well as apple smoothies. There will also be live music on three Sundays, with music the last two Sundays in September and the first Sunday in October.”
The orchard is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm through around Columbus Day. Call 603-387-8052, visit www.smithorchard.com or email: info@smithorchard.com.
Butternut Farm, located at 195 Meaderboro Road in Farmington, is very popular for strawberry and blueberry picking during the summer season, as well offering other fruits for customers to enjoy.
When apple-picking season arrives, visitors can enjoy pick-your-own in over 30 varieties. Ginger Gold and Zestar are apples offered for picking as the season gets underway, followed by many other varieties with an apple for every taste.
Apple pickers can walk to the orchard, or those with mobility issues can ride on a handy electric passenger golf cart. Everyone is welcome at Butternut Farm, which is open daily (closed Mondays) from 8 am to 4 pm. The farm closes for the season in October.
A farm representative says the crop is good this year with plenty of apples. Butternut also has a cider house, offering five alcoholic ciders, pre-canned, growlers and cider wines. For updates, call the farm info line at 603-335-4705.
For a welcoming, down-home atmosphere, stop by Stone Mountain Farm on Rt. 106 in Belmont. Co-owners Joe and Cindy Rolfe love to “talk apples,” and Joe says he will always answer the phone to give current conditions for apple picking.
“We are open for the season, and we have 50 varieties, including Macs, Cortland, Fuji, Zestar, Jonah Reds, Empire, Macoun, as well as some of the oldest varieties in the country. The old-fashioned apples include Shazaka, Akan and Rambo, which are unusual and great types.
“The orchard is set up for walking,” Joe continues. “Customers have a choice of apples, and we have signs to tell them which apples are ripe and ready for picking.”
In the farm stand at Stone Mountain Farm, offerings include apples, vegetables, winter squashes, honey, candles, soaps and hand cream, and also cider donuts.
The farm is open for apple picking until around the week before Thanksgiving. Call ahead for information at 603-731-2493.