Apple Picking in the North Country

North Country residents enjoy the apple picking
season with their family and friends

Story by Christine Thompson
Photos courtesy of Andrew Anton

“Autumn is my favorite time of year, not only for the splendid change of colors, but for all the fun memories of apple picking with my family and friends,” says Shannon Duffy, a sophomore at Plattsburgh State University College and resident of Lake Placid. This traditional pastime bonds families together, and is a typical activity in the month of October.

There are at least three apple orchards within a 25-mile radius of the center of Plattsburgh, and at least ten more within the North Country. Amanda Mason of Glens Falls has been apple picking for as long as she can remember. “Every year we go apple picking at Hick's Apple Orchard (in Glens Falls) and they have a corn maize, build-your-own-scarecrow, and goats you can feed. It's a good time,” Mason said.

"We've had a lot more people come this year than I can ever remember."

Besides the enjoyable experience of picking the apples, the hayride, and the traditional cider donuts, the post-apple picking activities are even better, according to Duffy and Mason. “At my house, we make apple crisp, not apple pie!” Mason added.

Chapin Orchard in Essex Junction, Vermont, owned by the Murdock family, is the best place to go apple picking in Vermont, according to resident, Meredith Mooney. Family owned since 2000, Tyler Murdock said this has been a record setting year for them. “We've had a lot more people come this year than I can ever remember,” Murdock said.

Mooney who has been a close family friend with the Murdock's says it seems like she's been apple picking there forever. When talking with Murdock about the orchard Mooney said “It's only been six years? Really?”

Quality apple picking isn't always guaranteed. It all depends on the weather and the pollination of the flowers. Due to the large amount of rain in Champlain Valley this year, Rulf's Apple Orchard in Peru and others suffered from the lack of pollination causing approximately one-third of the amount of apples they normally get to be harvested.

“The apple picking season for everyone in Champlain Valley was limited due to the lack of pollination back around May fifteenth, because the weather was cold and rainy. The bees didn't do their pollination efficiently. Because of that, we have less apple blossoms and less apples. But because of it, the apples on the trees also have more room to grow and don't have to fight for light, so we have bigger apples and redder apples," Patricia Sheehan of Rulf's Orchard said.

"Everywhere you look there's mountains and different breathtaking images that can't be seen anywhere else."

This hasn't slowed down the desire of the apple picking crowd. With fall in its prime, there are still plenty of apples around for apple pies, apple crisp, candy apples, apple cider, and applesauce. But because of the lack of pollination in Champlain Valley, the harvest was ended sooner, and therefore the apple picking season started earlier.

Applejacks Orchard, also located in Peru, provides a ripening schedule. The best apples for the month of October are Cameo, Crispin, Macoun, and Golden Delicious, according to the Orchards website. The month of October is also the prime month for pumpkin picking.

Apple picking provides an outlet for the family orientated individual who also enjoys the beauty of the North Country scenary. “Everywhere you look there's mountains and different breathtaking images that can't be seen anywhere else,” Duffy said.

How do you like your apples?

October Apples:

Crispin: Originally called Mutsu, the crispin apple is sweet, juicy and very crisp. Ideally, Crispin apples are best for eating, sauce, baking, and freezing. Also a good apple to roast or use in salads and pies.

Cameo: A hearty, red, juicy and crisp apple. Perfect for an apple tart.

Macoun: This apple is sweet, aromatic, and tender with a snow white flesh. Recommended best for eating and using in salads.

Golden Delicious: Considered the cousin of the Red Delicious apple, the golden delicious is mildly sweet, juicy and crisp. Used for eating, sauces, salads, pies and freezing. The Golden delicious cuts down the amount of sugar in pies and sauces.