For the Love of Apples
Fall is in full swing here in Central Ohio, and what better way to celebrate autumn’s arrival than with an excursion to your local apple orchard? Apple picking provides the perfect excuse to enjoy the outdoors while picking delicious fruit to take home, and it also allows for safe social distancing.
When it’s time to go looking for the best apples to make your own homemade applesauce or pie, consider a short trip to Utica, a village 40 miles northeast of Columbus that straddles the line between Licking County and Knox County. Here you’ll find your favorite apple varieties—and fresh apple cider—at two local orchards: Branstool Orchard and Legend Hills Orchard.
Located just five minutes apart, these two locally owned operations have been producing apples for decades on hundreds of acres of rolling hills.
A trip to Utica will bring you to hundreds of acres of apples at two local orchards, including Branstool Orchard seen here.
Marshall Branstool started his orchard with peach trees in 1983, then added apples. Branstool Orchard grows 40 varieties of apples.
Branstool Orchard
If you are seeking a diverse selection of apples, including several rare types, Branstool Orchard offers 40 varieties, many of which you will not be able to find in grocery stores. Owner Marshall Branstool first started growing peaches in 1983 and then added apples, which he has been growing since the early ’90s.
The first variety to ripen each year at Branstool Orchard is Pristine. “It’s a tart apple, kind of like a Lodi or a Transparent, but it’s crispier,” Marshall explains. “It’s hard—makes a good pie and sauce.”
The most popular variety among customers is Honeycrisp, followed by Pixie Crunch. “Those are probably the two most popular for good reason: They’re crunchy, crispy. Great flavor,” he says.
This is a banner year at the orchard for Honeycrisp apples, which typically are ready to harvest in September. “We probably have our best Honeycrisp crop ever,” says Cindy Zaino, who has been the market manager for three years, “That is probably the biggest fan-favorite here.”
Marshall enjoys growing unusual varieties, notably the Tsugaru, usually available in August. It’s a type that is popular in Japan and is “a sweet, eating apple.” His favorite apple is Rubinette, a rare variety with a sweet-sour flavor.
“The nice thing about Rubinette is that you won’t be able to find it at most other orchards in Central Ohio,” says Cindy. “You won’t find it anywhere,” says Marshall, adding that this rare variety has attracted a following at the orchard.
Visitors also can find older varieties such as Winesap, Golden Delicious, Jonathan and Cortland. The newer varieties include Evercrisp—a sweet, crunchy, juicy apple that can be stored for a long period of time—and Rosalee, which is sweet, tart and crispy. Marshall is planning to add the recently developed Ludacrisp variety to the orchard next year.
When you visit, you’ll want to pick up some fresh, unpasteurized cider made from a combination of apple varieties. “The cider is a big hit,” says Cindy. “We have a lot of people who buy it and freeze it for the winter so they can have it year-round.”
Branstool Orchard is a walking-only orchard, which allows visitors to immerse themselves in nature as they pick apples. “We really want them to have this experience of walking between rows and spending some time in nature,” says Cindy.
Things are looking a little different this year because of COVID-19. They’ve had to make some changes, including moving registers outside, establishing a one-way traffic flow and requiring masks. While they’re not able to offer wagon rides, live music and events as they have in years past, they are planning on hosting an apple pie contest in the near future since this can be done with proper social distancing.
Marshall and Cindy are seeing more visitors this year than in past years as a result of COVID-19.
“I think that’s why business is so booming right now—because folks are looking for a place they can go to and feel safe,” says Cindy. “So it’s been really good we can provide that.”
To learn more about the 40 varieties of apples and when they’re available, check out Branstool Orchard’s guide at branstoolorchards.com/apples.
Left: Rubinette is an apple variety rarely found in orchards but it’s prized for its taste. Right: When you’re an orchard dog like Jack, you can always find a snack.
LEGEND HILLS ORCHARD
Just over two miles away, Legend Hills Orchard has been family-owned and -operated for nearly 100 years. In addition to growing peaches, the orchard offers 25 different apple varieties, starting with Lodi and Transparent, which ripen around the Fourth of July.
Honeycrisp is a top favorite at Legend Hills Orchard. “They’re tough to grow,” says Doug Hoar, a third-generation family member and manager of the orchard, “but they’re a really big hit.”
The orchard also offers some unusual apples. “We’ve got some old varieties that people don’t always grow anymore,” says Doug, highlighting Transparent, a tart apple that is best for making applesauce, and Northern Spy, which is a good choice for pies. Wealthy and Stayman-Winesap are also uncommon varieties. “These are apples you really can’t find in stores,” says Doug. “They’re all unique, with different qualities.”
Another customer favorite is Cortland due to its many uses. It’s great for pies or simply for eating, and it’s another variety that you won’t readily find in grocery stores.
As to his personal favorite, Doug currently favors Jonathan, but he says that his preference tends to change from year to year. “Different times of year, you get a different one and it’s got a different flavor,” he says, “and to me, every year one apple will taste better than another. Seems like every year a different apple becomes my favorite.”
September is the busiest month at Legend Hills Orchard. Once there are enough ripe apples, the cider-making process begins—typically after Labor Day, although Doug says there may be a slight delay this year due to the cold spring. In addition to pick-your-own apples, visitors can enjoy a pumpkin patch, live music on the weekends and an occasional food truck.
“We like to see a lot of families come out and enjoy the countryside,” says Doug. He has also noticed an increase in visitors this year due to COVID-19. “I think it’s actually picked up our business a little bit because people are wanting to buy local and fresh fruit and kind of get away from bigger stores.”
While following local laws and social distancing protocol, the farm market also offers a convenient curbside pickup. For more information, including a helpful guide to the apples you can find at Legend Hills Orchard, visit legendhillsorchard.com/our-apples.
Several Columbus-area orchards and farms offer pick-your-own apples at this time of year.
MORE PLACES TO PICK YOUR OWN
In addition to the two orchards in Utica, here are five more places in Central Ohio where you can pick your own apples this fall:
Lynd Fruit Farm is one of the largest and most popular options for Columbus residents. Located at 9091 Morse Road SW in Pataskala, the farm features more than 20 varieties of apples. They also off pick-your-own pumpkins, a farm market, a corn maze and acres of sunflowers. Visit their website or Facebook page for availability.
The Orchard & Co in Plain City has several varieties of apples ripening into October, with weekend picking times available and a drive-through option for bagged apples. You can also find pumpkins, hayrides, a café and more. Find the latest information on their website or Facebook page.
CherryHawk Farm, located just east of Marysville, grows 18 varieties of apples, with weekend picking continuing through October. Buying a peck of apples also gets you admission to the sunflower field and one flower. Get updates on their website or Facebook page.
Paiges’ Produce offers weekend apple picking at the farm in Amanda, about 40 miles southeast of Columbus. They also have a farm market and a sunflower field. Learn about the farm at their website and find the latest apple-picking information on their Facebook page or Instagram.
Lawrence Orchards, just south of Marion, is having Harvest Saturdays through October, with apple picking, a food truck and family activities. They grow 26 apple varieties, not all available for picking. Apple cider, pumpkins and other vegetables also are sold. See the website or Facebook page for updates.
