Orchard offerings
By Terri Richardson | The Journal Gazette
It's only fitting that a different recipe with apples as the main ingredient pops up when a visitor clicks on each tab at the top of Orchard Hill Farms' website.
Click on the “Home” tab and get “Apple Cake.” “About Us” – “Apple Crisp.” Or, “Apple Pizza” when you search “Our Fruits.”
They are all recipes that Hertha Meyer, owner of Orchard Hill in Kendallville, along with her husband, has made and declares to be good.
Meyer says the orchard has been in business for 49 years and this is one of its busy times, offering up pears, plums and of course, apples.
It is that time of year when local apple orchards are offering residents a chance to get their fall produce right from the farm, instead of the grocery store.
Orchard Farms started out as a corn and bean farm before 600 trees were planted – some still producing fruit today, according to the orchard's website.
Meyer laughs when asked if she has a favorite apple. (She doesn't.)
But the orchard offers 23 apple varieties, including some through late October. The farm also puts those apples to good use, making such products as apple cider and apple butter for purchase.
And while you can't pick your own apples, the farm does offer tours of the orchard on the weekend, as well as throughout the week.
Here are some local apple orchards you can visit this fall:
Orchard Hill Farms, 11061 E 415 N, Kendallville. Phone: 800-618-7400 or 260-347-3682. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Cook's Orchard, 8724 Huguenard Road. Phone: 489-3940. This family-owned orchard offers u-pick or purchase options for its apples. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Advanced Tree Technology, 12818 Edgerton Road, New Haven. Phone: 749-0891. A you-pick apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Phil's U-Pick Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Farm, 760 N 500 W, Huntington. Phone: 260-388-1832. This orchard features more than 30 apple varieties. Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.
