Everyone’s favorite fall fruit is ripe and ready for the taking, and we’ve got just the places to do it. These two Clinton County orchards offer a wide choice of apple varieties. But you’ll also find more than just orchards bursting with apples, including homemade cider, apple butter and lots of baked goodies.
Visitors head to Schwartz Fruit Farm in Centralia spring through fall for their fresh-picked offerings, which also include beautiful flowers. But this time of year, apples are the star. Grab a basket and head out to the orchards to pick your own, anytime now into December. Then stop in to the shop to enjoy some fresh-baked goodness. Apple cider donuts are a favorite, but you’ll also find fresh fruit cobblers, apple turnovers and other treats. You can also take home some of their award-winning cider, which is made with a blend of sweet and tart apples.
Mark you calendar to visit the orchard for its Apple Fest, Saturday, October 10, 2015—you’ll find more good things to eat and fun for the whole family.
Schwartz Fruit Farm
Apples, pumpkins, baked goods, cider and flowers
1942 Copple Road, Centralia
618-532-8058
Open daily, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Drive out to the countryside south of Beckemeyer and you’ll find Taphorn Orchard. This long-time family operation was started when Herman Taphorn planted his first apple trees back in 1925. His grandson, Stanley Albers, now runs the business along with his wife Lavonne. The orchard offers a variety of apples now through October. Some of those juicy apples go into the company’s apple cider and Lavonne’s delicious apple butter, both for sale at the orchard. In addition, you can pick up honey made from bees on the property, as well as pumpkins and mums.
Taphorn Orchard
Apples, cider, apple butter, pumpkins and mums
Bartelso Road, ½-mile south of Old Highway 50, Beckemeyer
618-227-8839
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, noon – 5:30 p.m.
For those whose work-week lives are non-stop, a few hours at the peaceful apple orchards of Clinton County is sheer delight. Plan a visit sometime this fall!