Weekend Picking Guide: September 25, 26, 27

25 09 2009

This weekend we are picking over 12 varieties of apples, including favorites such as Law Rome, Cortland, Braeburn and Delicious. We’ve also got pumpkins, gourds, late season blackberries, basil and our very own apple cider! On Saturday, the 26th, we will be making apple butter, too!

October Road-1

Our apples are large and abundant this year with trees to pick in all areas of the orchard, depending on how far you’d like to walk and which apples you’re after. All apples are just $1.00 a pound. Pumpkins are 45 cents per pound, gourds vary by size from 4/$1.00 to 2/$1.00.

We’ve reduced the blackberry price to just $3.00 per pound, and there are plenty still ready for picking. Please join us for apple butter all day on Saturday, which we’ll be selling as we make it (we always sell out, so be sure and stop by!)

There are still tons of peppers, green, red, yellow, large small and in between. We also have a good supply of tomatoes – just ask us where to pick them.

Crooked Run NEVER charges an admission fee, and parking is always free, too. You pay only for what you pick, or pick up from our stand. We’re open every single day in September from 9 am to 6 pm, no dogs please due to sanitary reasons. See you at the orchard!





Gourds!

24 09 2009

We’ve got over 20 varieties of seasonal gourds to grace your table this fall season! At only 50 cents each, this is a great way to help give your home that fall festive look!

Gourds-1

We are open every day in September, from 9 am to 6 pm. Be sure to visit our farm stand, too, for other great local produce as well as our own Crooked Run Apple Cider. No dogs, please, due to sanitary reasons.





About Apple Season…

24 09 2009

Apple season is indeed a glorious time of the year, my favorite, in fact, with abundant fruit, dry sunny days, moderating temperatures and that oh-so-soft September grass.

Apple Baskets-1

Here are a few facts about our apple season which may be helpful to you, our valued patron, in making your decisions about when to visit the orchard.

WHEN TO COME PICK

Our summer apples are generally available in August, featuring our sought-after Jonagold, Tydeman Red, and Rambo.

Fall apples are available during the entire month of September and tend to peak in the middle of the month. The best way to think of fall apple picking is “back to school, pick an apple for the teacher.” Speaking of teachers, we get a number of requests from school groups about visiting the orchard during this time. We welcome all groups, however, it is worth noting that the earlier you can come in the month of September the better, as the apples start to dwindle in the beginning of October.

Ah, October. Another of our favorite months. Apples are still available, though you may have to hunt for them. Groups coming in October may find the picking challenging, depending on what varieties they are after and whether the apples have started dropping. The remaining apples, particularly fresh drops, are a great source for apple sauce and apple butter.

Throughout the month of September, we are open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. In October we may or may not be open daily depending on the weather.

If you’re interested in bringing your group to visit us in September, no arrangements need to be made, as we are open every day. For October group visits,  please give us a ring at 540-338-7445 to confirm, so we’ll be sure to be here when you arrive.





Special Alert: We’re Making Apple Butter This Weekend!

19 09 2009

This Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, we will be making apple butter right on the farm! We’ve got a big copper kettle and lots of helping hands – we hope you’ll come see how it’s done.

Apple Butter-1

We also have for sale this weekend gallons and half-gallons of our very own fresh pressed apple cider, as well as Crooked Run Orchard Blackberry Jam. Don’t miss our pumpkins, and over 20 kinds of gourds, too!

We will be open from 9 am til 6 pm daily through Halloween, free parking, no dogs allowed due to sanitary reasons. We hope to see you at the farm!





Weekend Picking Guide: September 18, 19, 20

18 09 2009

This weekend we are picking several varieties of fall apples, as well as late season blackberries, tomatoes, peppers, basil, and our first of the season pumpkins and gourds!

Gala Tree-1

Apples for picking include Jonagold, Mutsu, Red and Golden Delicious for only $1 a pound. Balckberries, which have been especially strong this year, are $3.50 pound. Tomatoes and peppers are $2.00 per pound, and pumpkins are 45 cents per pound. We may also have some green beans and sunflowers, subject to availability. We’ll be open from 9 am til 6 pm each day; no dogs allowed, please, due to sanitary reasons.





Weekend Picking Guide: September 4,5,6

4 09 2009

OUR ASIAN PEARS ARE IN! Come pick and enjoy our gorgeous Asian pears this weekend, along with Gala apples, blackberries, tomatoes, peppers and fresh basil.

Galas-1

Asian pears are $2.00/pound, apples are $1.oo/pound; blackberries are $3.50/pound, tomatoes are $1.50/pound and peppers are $2.00/pound. Our fresh basil is very affordable, half of what you’d pay in the store.

As always, you can listen to our pre-recorded line at 540-338-6642. No dogs are allowed due to sanitary reasons. We look forward to seeing you!





Weekend Picking Guide: August 28,29,30

28 08 2009

This weekend we are picking lovely thornless blackberries in three areas of the orchard, as well as ripe and juicy Gala apples. We also have tomatoes, 38 kinds of peppers, and fresh herbs (like 4 kinds of basil!) all for you to enjoy picking with your family.

apples-1

Our Gala apples are large, juicy and abundant this year!

basil-1

Here is one of our basil beds, ready for picking. We have many other herbs to cut, too, such as dill and mint.

BW peppers-1

Don’t forget to take home sweet and hot peppers – we have 38 varieties to choose from.

Apples are $1.oo/pound; blackberries are $3.50/pound, tomatoes are $1.50 and peppers are $2.00. Fresh herbs are very affordable, half of what you’d pay in the store.

As always, you can listen to our pre-recorded line at 540-338-6642. No dogs are allowed due to sanitary reasons. We look forward to seeing you!





Special Update: Peppers And Tomatoes Ready For Picking

21 08 2009

This weekend, August 21-23, we will be offering several varieties of mild-to-hot peppers as well as various tomatoes in addition to our apples, blackberries and peaches (see below). Pick your own peppers for only $2.00 a pound, and tomatoes are only $1.50

Yellow Pepper

As always, our peppers and tomatoes are pesticide free and about 100 times more delicious than any you’ll find in the big stores. We hope to see you this weekend!





Weekend Picking Guide: August 21, 22, 23

21 08 2009

We will be open from 9am to 6pm – no dogs are allowed, please. You can call our recorded line anytime at: 540-338-6642.

Blackberry Vine

Our blackberries are now at their peak, offering easy picking and large, juicy fruit. This year’s crop is one of the best we’ve seen and the vines are heavy with fruit. Pick your own for $3.50 per pound.

We are also picking summer apples: Paula Red, Tydeman Red, and now our Galas are ready for picking. Growing conditions have been excellent and the trees are very heavy with fruit. Summer apples tend to be tart and are excellent for baking and canning. Pick your own for $1.00 a pound.

There are still peaches in the orchard, and they’ve gotten bigger over the last couple of weeks. They are juicy, sweet, and flavorful – pick your own for $1.00 a pound.

Basil

Be sure to ask about our fresh herbs – you can cut your own basil, dill, and more! There’s nothing like the taste of fresh herbs grown naturally.





Small Whites

17 08 2009

Our farm hosts a wide variety of butterflies and moths during the year, and one of the easiest to spot is the ‘Small White’.

Cabbage Whites-1

The Small White (Pieris rapae) is a small- to medium-sized butterfly species of the Yellows-and-Whites family Pieridae. It is also commonly known as the Small Cabbage White.

Cabbage Whites-2

It is widespread across Europe, North Africa and Asia and has also been accidentally introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand.

Cabbage Whites-3

In appearance it looks like a smaller version of the Large White. The upperside is creamy white with black tips to the forewings. Females also have two black spots in the center of the forewings. Its underwings are yellowish with black speckles. It is sometimes mistaken for a moth due to its plain-looking appearance. An adult’s wingspan is roughly 32–47 mm (1.25-2 in).