Orchards report good yields, higher prices

The cool spring and generally pleasant summer has translated into a good crop for area orchards. Yet the cost of fuel needed to run farm machinery means you'll pay more for those Galas and Gold Delicious this fall.

Remember to avoid your daily dose of cologne (don't want bees thinking you're a flower) and dress appropriately. Orchard owners say flip flops and higher heels are not recommended for walking among the trees.

Here's a list of area orchards for your apple-picking pleasure. The ripening schedule is subject to change so call ahead to be sure your favorite varieties are available.

As you're tossing apples into a basket, please remember those less fortunate. Support the Daily Herald's Giving Garden program and pick an extra pound or two to donate to a local food pantry.

All Season Orchard, 14510 Route 176, Woodstock (half mile west of Route 47; look for the big red building). Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday through October and open Monday, Oct. 13. New varieties available about every two weeks including Gala, Honeycrisp, Cortland McIntosh and Liberty (ready now); Red and Golden Delicious and JonaGold. A half-bushel, about 25 pounds, goes for $30. Minimum purchase half-bushel for every four people. Also u-pick pears, hayrides, petting zoo and picnic area. (815) 338-5637; www.allseasonfarm.com.

Apples on Oak, 16146 Oak Ave., Joliet (three miles north of Route 80 off Gougar Road). Picking 80 to 100 varieties ranging from classic baking apples and heirlooms to traditional favorites and new varieties now through the middle of October. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday and 11 to 6 p.m. Sunday. $1.25 a bag for u-pick; quarter-peck bag costs $4; half peck bag $7.50; 1 peck $13.75; two pecks $24. (815) 726-0386; http://peceniak.tripod.com.

Curran's Apple Farm, 6385 Kilburn Road, Rockford (Route 70 just east of Meridian Road). Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. six days a week, closed Mondays except Columbus Day. Owners report a great crop this year among the 13 varieties of apples offered this season. Picking begins Sept. 6 and continues through the end of October. Varieties include (in ripening order) McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Empire, Red and Golden Delicious, JonaGold, Northern Spy, Blushing Golden, Rome Beauty and Granny Smith.

Also, raspberries, apple pies, cider, hot dogs and doughnuts and activities for kids are available on weekends, as is a glass-sided bee hive. U-pick apples cost $1.29 per pound; 1-peck minimum. Call (815) 963-7848 or visit www.curransorchard.com.

Homestead Orchard, 11802 Charles Road, Woodstock (east of Route 47). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday. Fourteen varieties, including McIntosh, Gala, Jonathan, Empire, Golden Delicious and JonaGold. $1.25 per pound. Also u-pick raspberries, pears and rhubarb as well as honey and beeswax candles. (815) 338-7443.

Honey Hill Orchard, 11747 Waterman Road (two miles north of Route 30 on Elm Street/Waterman Road) in Waterman. Early season hours 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through mid-September. Regular season hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan and Honeycrisp in September; Empire, Red and Golden Delicious and many other varieties through the end of October. Also, new bakery, country store, raspberries, Michigan peaches, petting zoo and weekend hayrides. Apple prices not available. (815) 264-3337. For special events check out www.honeyhillorchards.com.

Jonamac Orchard, 4403 Twomby Road (three-quarters of a mile south of Malta on South Shabbona Road) in DeKalb County. Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Thanksgiving. Owners report better crops this year. The orchard offers 25-plus varieties including Akane, Mollies Delicious, Ozark Gold, Gala and JonaMac. Prices: $9 for 5-pound bag, $15 for 10 pounds and $27 for 20 pounds.

Also, weekend hayrides, corn maze, caramel apples, fudge, doughnuts and pies. (815) 825-2158 or www.jonamacorchard.com.

Kuipers Family Farm, 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park (five miles west of Route 47). Open for picking 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through October (store open Tuesday to Sunday). $7.50 admission fee per person includes quarter peck of apples; additional pecks cost $14. General ripening as follows: Prima, JonaMac, Gala, Cortland, Spartan, Ozark Gold (early September); Empire, Golden Delicious, Jonathan (later in September); Idared, Rome, Braeburn, Blushing Golden (October). Reduced hours in November. (815) 827-5200 (press 1 for weekly varieties) or www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com/apples.

Lang's Orchard, 17411 Secor Road, Woodstock (off Franklinville Road, north of Route 176). 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday beginning Saturday and running through the third week of October. Gala, RubyJon, Honeycrisp and Cortland ready first followed by Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, JonaGold Red, Braeburn, Blushing Gold, Winesap and Granny Smith. Most varieties $11 a peck, $1 per pound. Honeycrisp costs $18 a peck. Also, country store with homemade fruit spreads. (815) 568-7547.

More Than Delicious Orchard, corner of Route 120 and Thompson Road in Woodstock. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 13 through October. Offers dozens of varieties of apples and pears in the following ripening order: Sweet Sixteen, Gala, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Lustre Elstar, Cortland, Pippin, Jonathan, JonaGold, Empire, Snow Apple, Golden Delicious, Idared, Northern Spy, Mutsu, Golden Russet, Winesap. $50 a bushel (that's about $1.20 for a pound for 40-42 pounds); half-bushels, pecks and half-pecks also available. (815) 338-2309 or www.morethandelicious.com.

Pine Apple Acres, 41W651 Powers Road, Huntley (one mile north of I-90 from Route 47, then east on Powers Road). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday beginning Friday and continuing through early October. $1 per pound; 5-pound minimum. $10 entrance fee per vehicle. (847) 669-3251 or www.pineapple-acres.com.

Royal Oak Farm, 15908 Hebron Road, Harvard (four miles west of Route 47). Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday through mid October. More than 20 varieties available as the season progresses; expect Ginger Gold and Sansa this weekend, but call for variety availability. $14 for a peck; $27 a half-bushel. Honeycrisp is $21.99 a peck.

Activities include clowns, storyteller, tepee, pony rides and wagon rides to the orchard. Homemade baked goods, fresh honey, apple pastries and more at the market. Also, tree-ripened peaches and u-pick raspberries on Saturdays. (815) 648-4141, www.royaloakfarmorchard.com.

Woodstock Country Orchard, 17015 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock (north of Route 176 off Franklinville Road). 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Saturday and continuing weekends through October. A dozen varieties, including Gala, JonaMac and Honeycrisp. $22 a half-bushel. Also u-pick raspberries; homegrown garlic and local honey for sale. (815) 923-4359; www.woodstockcountryorchard.com.

Ziegler's Orchard, 32363 N. Bacon Road (a quarter-mile south of Route 120), two miles west of Hainesville. The orchard will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through (roughly) mid-October. Orchard opens Sept. 13 for McIntosh only; Sept. 20 and 21 for Jonathan and Courtland; and Sept. 27 and 28 for all varieties. Expect to find McIntosh, Fuji, Mutsu, Jonathan, Blushing Gold, Double Red, Banana Apples and Golden Delicious. $1.35 per pound; 5-pound minimum per person. Entrance fee $1 per person (children 3 and younger free).

Jelly, jams, bakery goods, honey, mums and more available in the country store; hayrides for the whole family. (847) 546-1228.