Georgia Apple Growers Expect Strong 2010 Crop
Georgia Apple Growers Expect Strong 2010 Crop - Orchards Preparing for Pick-Your-Own Season
Gilmer County, Georgia, August 8, 2010 – Apple orchard owners in Gilmer County, Georgia’s Apple Capital, have high expectations for a strong apple harvest this fall, with warm days, cool nights and just the right amount of rain to produce a strong crop of more than a dozen varieties of delicious Georgia-grown apples.
Orchard owners along Gilmer County’s Apple Alley (Hwy. 52) have spent thousands of hours preparing their crop for this fall. This year’s cold winter provided ample “rest” for the trees to flower and bloom this spring. Workers took to the fields pruning trees, mulching, irrigating and planting new trees. “We are currently in the process of thinning out some of the apples, to ensure that the mature ones receive ample sunlight which helps the fruit develop sweetness and beautiful color,” says Janice Hale of Hillcrest Orchards.
According to Hale, apples aren’t the only things growing at Hillcrest Orchards, as several newborns have arrived at the orchard’s petting zoo, including baby kids (goats), calves, kittens and chicks. “We’ve built our business into a great family experience, with pick-your-own apples, pig races, wagon rides, our petting zoo, and bakery and farmer’s market, featuring fried apple pies, apple cider doughnuts, apple juice, homemade fudge, apple fritters, homemade ice cream, and more.
Gilmer County Apples
“We’re expecting a great season, with Gala, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious apples coming in by the end of August, and Honey Crisp, Cameo, Mutsu, Rome Beauty, Granny Smith and many more varieties ready by mid-to-late September,” says Andy Futch of R&A Orchards.
Paige Green, President of the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce indicated that this year’s Georgia Apple Festival could be the largest in its 39-year existence. “We have more than 300 vendors scheduled to attend the festival this year, including handmade arts and crafts, on-site demonstrations, entertainment, music, demonstrations, and more,” says Green. The Georgia Apple Festival is held the second and third weekends of October. For more information, visit www.georgiapplefestival.org.
However, visitors to Gilmer County can quickly fill their schedule with a host of other activities, including visiting local shops and restaurants for some local flare, or taking to the outdoors for hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing or exploring.
For visitor information and traveler specials, information about apple orchards and houses along Apple Alley, other activities, and accommodations, visit www.gilmerchamber.com, or join our fan page on Facebook at The Ellijays.