Apples, Grapes, Donuts, Cider – Oh MI! 🍎 9-24-25

Closed      Monday
9 to 6       Tuesday
9 to 12     Wednesday
9 to 4       Thursday
9 to 4       Friday
9 to 4       Saturday
9 to 4       Sunday

NOTE: Seasonal Hour Changes
We are changing our hours for the next two weeks only (Sunday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 12) to better accommodate those who are picking grapes. 

We also have cider, donuts (weekends only), fall ornamentals, and many other products and treats on the market for you to enjoy!

We are entering the month of October, and the harvest season will soon be over.  Stop by and see us this week or next, especially with our seasonal extended hours!

• Niagara – currently in season
• Concord – starting Sunday, Sept. 28

Please check for updates on the website or call us.

We measure the grapes by 5-gallon buckets or a half bushel basket, which weigh 20 pounds.  Minimum quantity to pick is 20 pounds (one 5-gallon bucket).  Discounted price when picking 100 pounds or more (5 buckets).

Link to the u-pick grape page – pricing, days and hours open, what to bring, and more
Link to the reservation system page – call us if you need assistance, 269-244-5690

For the next two weeks, we are extending our hours for grape picking.  Please check our website for the vineyard days and hours and reservation schedule.

• Tuesday late afternoon/early evening
• Wednesday morning
• Sunday, extended hours

Current varieties available: Cameo, Cortland, Crimson Gala, Early Fuji, Empire, Golden Supreme, Ida Red, Jonathan, Red Delicious, Red Jonagold, Snow Sweet, Spartan, Yellow Delicious, Winter Banana.  See descriptions of these varieties at the end of the newsletter.

• Orchard is open each day the market is open
• Orchard opens at 9:30 am, must be finished 30 minutes before the market closes
• Closed Mondays and Wednesdays
• Check in at the market to prepay, get directions, and your picking bag(s).
• Need to pick a minimum of one peck ($12 value)

See the u-pick apple webpage for more details on pricing, picking tips, orchard etiquette, and more.

The Golden/Yellow Delicious trees in our u-pick orchard are loaded this year and ready for picking!

Introducing Nu-Red.  This apple variety is not one commonly found in other farm markets or stores, but it is worth trying.  It is a favorite of Beth and Brenda who love the way they taste!

Nu-Red are a crisp, tart, hard, crunchy apple that is an improved version of Red Rome.  It is a round, red apple that holds its shape well when baked.  They are good for fresh eating, applesauce, pies, as well as baking.

The original Red Rome or Rome Beauty apples were discovered by a farmer near Rome Township, Ohio.  The original apple has a mild taste and thick skin, the Nu-Red are much improved.

These apples are available already picked only.

• Fall Apples – Cortland, Gala, Golden Delicious, Ida Red (few), JonaGold, Jonathan, Jonamac, McIntosh (few), Mollie’s Delicious (few), Northern Spy, Nu-Red.
• Apple “seconds” or processing apples.  These apples just have small blemishes, rust marks or are misshapen.  They are perfect for making pie filling or applesauce.  We also have animal apples.
• Prune Plums – last week!
• Bosc Pears – a winter pear
• Summer vegetables – garlic, onions, peppers
• Fall squash – assorted varieties
• Cider – freshly squeezed, gallons and half gallons
• Donuts – in three fall flavors, weekends only
• Baked Goods – assorted cookies, muffins, ‘take and bake’ fruit pies, and strombolis
• Pumpkin Rolls – in the refrigerator section
• Local products – maple products, honey, jams, jellies, and salsas
• Alcohol products – hard ciders, wines, spirits
• Gifts – nice selection made by our local artisans
• Ice-cold slushies – small and large, in three flavors
• Fall ornamentals – gourds and stacking pumpkins, mini straw bales, mums, colored corn, and more ornamentals

We have apple samples on the market to help you select the perfect one(s)!  And Gala and Jonamac are on sale – buy 2 same size bags, get 1 same size bag free.

We also just brought in a lot more mums, they are gorgeous!

How to Ripen. Pears are picked green and ripen from the inside out in about 7 to 10 days. Just lay them out in a single layer preferably in a cool, dark place (out of direct sunshine). They will turn from green to yellow and get juicier as they get riper.

Ways to Use Bosc. They are good for fresh eating in snacks, lunches, smoothies, and salads.  Try using fresh pears for other ways such as Pear Crisp, Pear Pie, Pear Butter and other ways.  We have a few pear recipes on our website.

You can also dehydrate pears using an air fryer, food dehydrator, or your oven on a low temp to enjoy during the off-season.

U-Pick Apples
Cameo.  A firm, crisp, and sweet apple that resists browning.  Great for fresh eating, applesauce, or baking.  Keeps well in your refrigerator.
Cortland.  A hint of tartness makes this a great eating, cooking, and baking variety.  It’s a descendent of the McIntosh, but a bit sweeter than its ancestor.  Juices really well.
Crimson Gala.  An intense-coloring strain of Gala with a bright, cherry red color.  Has the characteristics of a Gala; great for eating and cooking.
Early Fuji.  A fantastic sweet flavor with a low acid content.  Excellent all purpose use like snacking, baking, and cooking.  Use within several weeks, these Fuji do not keep.
Empire.  Red with a few white tints, creamy white interior.  They are juicy and sweet.  A cross between Red Delicious and McIntosh.
Golden Supreme.  A medium sized apple with a sweet juicy flavor. It is good for drying, baking, and making cider.  Keeps for months in refrigerated storage.
Ida Red.  Suits your every use!  Eat fresh or for cooking.  Taste is both tangy and tart.  Flesh is white, crisp and juicy.  Favored for sauces, pies and desserts.  Texture holds up well when baked.
Jonathan.  Pretty and popular, used for fresh eating and cooking, a favorite for apple butter and taffy apples.
Red Delicious.  America’s most popular apple, known for the “five little bumps” on the bottom.  Best for fresh eating and snacks.  Sweet taste, yellowish flesh, and crisp texture.
Red Jonagold.  Large, tangy/sweet taste, firm and crisp, good for fresh eating or baking.
Snow Sweet.  Has a bronzed red blush and crisp crunch.  Rich sweet, buttery flavor with a bit of tartness.  Slower to oxidize than many varieties, so it can last a bit longer when raw.  Best used for fresh eating.
Spartan.  A cross between a Macintosh and an unknown variety.  It is a bit smaller in size, has a crisp white flesh that is aromatic and juicy.  Good for fresh eating, cooking, and juicing.
Yellow Delicious.  A gingery-smooth, sweet taste under a thin skin. It is the most popular yellow apple, good eaten fresh, baked or cut in salads.  Makes a nice applesauce and canning pie filling.
Winter Banana.  A large yellow apple with a pink blush.  Crispy, juicy, sweet, and aromatic with a tropical scent.  Used for fresh eating.  Careful – it bruises easily.

Old-Fashioned Apple and Cheese Casserole
This apple and cheese casserole recipe is a delicious mixture of sharp cheddar cheese, sweet apples, crunchy, butter crackers, and a touch of cinnamon.