Elgin County is within the apple-growing region that stretches in a band along the north side of Lakes Ontario and Erie. The soils, moderate temperatures and warm sunny days with cool nights provide perfect conditions for growing an abundance of apples.
Baskets and bushels of apples are featured now at the Horton Farmers Market. The bounty was celebrated on Sat Sept 24 with an Autumn Apple Breakfast.
St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market
St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market
Controlled atmosphere storage keeps apples fresh, firm and sweet months after harvest – they are available year-round with the exception of July. Ontario produces about 42% of the Canadian crop.
Selecting Apples
Selecting Apples
- Perfect Pies: Spy, McIntosh, Spartan, Crispin, Cortland, Russet
- Scrumptious Sauces: Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Crispin, Cortland, Empire, Russet
- Fantastic Fruit Plates: Red Delicious, Cortland, Honeycrisp
Renee Saarloos from Berry Hill Fruit Farm shared some information about Honeycrisp apples in the September 24 Horton Market Newsletter. She notes that consumer enthusiasm has driven the popularity of this apple quicker than most. Crisp and juicy with a nice balance of acids and sugar Honeycrisps can be used for cooking or eaten out of hand, and tend not to brown readily. They are a bit more expensive due to their popularity and greater care needed to pick them at the right maturity. But once you try one, you will likely decide to include Honeycrisps on your list of fall flavour treats.
Buying tips, storage information and apple recipes from appetizers to soups, main dishes and desserts can be found at www.foodland.gov.on.ca and www.onapples.com.
Why not try a delectable-sounding Roasted Ontario Apple and Sweet Potato Soup with Spiced Walnut.
Buying tips, storage information and apple recipes from appetizers to soups, main dishes and desserts can be found at www.foodland.gov.on.ca and www.onapples.com.
Why not try a delectable-sounding Roasted Ontario Apple and Sweet Potato Soup with Spiced Walnut.
Photographer Mark Girdauskas recently toured three local apple growers, taking pictures of fall and apple scenes along the way. Check them out in the slideshow below.
Finding Local Apples
Some of these locations also offer apple specialties and fall family fun (check Great Lakes Farms & Talbotville Berry Farm for special activities and events.)
Some farms that grow apples and have farm gate sales:
Some of these locations also offer apple specialties and fall family fun (check Great Lakes Farms & Talbotville Berry Farm for special activities and events.)
Some farms that grow apples and have farm gate sales:
- Berry Hill Fruit Farm, 48937 Glencolin Line, Aylmer; http://www.berryhillfruitfarm.com/
- Great Lakes Farms, 5111 Union Road, Port Stanley; http://www.greatlakesfarms.ca/
- Gredig’s Orchards 45976 Ron McNeil Line, St. Thomas; 519-633-8885
- Rokeby Orchards, 11766 Imperial Road, Aylmer; 519-773-2318
- Sutton Orchard, 24249 Silver Clay Line, West Lorne; 519-768-3557
- VanBrenk’s Fruit Farms & Nursery Ltd, 31760 Erin Line, Fingal; 519-762-2768
- Briwood Farm Market, 1030 Talbot St, St. Thomas; 519-633-9691
- Empire Valley Farm Market, 27983 Talbot Line, Wallacetown; http://www.empirevalleyfarms.com/
- Salt Creek Farm Market, 11143 Highbury Ave, St. Thomas; 519-631-9338
- Talbotville Berry Farm, 11054 Sunset Rd, Talbotville; http://www.talbotvilleberryfarm.com/
- St. Thomas Horton Farmers’ Market, Saturdays 8am to noon
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