Connecticut falls are known for their beautiful foliage, farmers markets and bountiful apple orchards. Luckily for students at UConn, we have many opportunities to engage with all three through the many apple orchards in the area. (happy via/Flickr)
Connecticut falls are known for their beautiful foliage, farmers markets and bountiful apple orchards. Luckily for students at UConn, we have many opportunities to engage with all three through the many apple orchards in the area. Here is a list of some near UConn.
Wrights Orchard and Dried Flower Farm (Tolland, Conn.)
Founded in 1981, this farm sells both fruits and artisanal dried flowers. Their apples and pumpkins are pick-your-own, but their peaches raspberries, blueberries and vegetables can be purchased in their store. Wright Orchard’s store is an 1840’s converted barn, which they claim, “sets the atmosphere.” Not only do they have mums, cider and baked goods, they also offer a wide array of dried floral arrangements for the winter holidays. With over 2,000 trees and 23 variations of apples there are a lot of options to pick and purchase.
Buell’s Orchard (Eastford, Conn.)
In the summer, people can pick and purchase strawberries, blueberries and peaches. And come September, customers are allowed to select their own apples and pumpkins. This orchard, founded in 1889, also offers its customers an annual harvest festival, which occurred this past week on Oct. 10 and Oct. 12. This festival boasted live music, hayrides, food samples and a BBQ meal of chicken, hot dogs and hamburgers.
Dondero Orchard (Glastonbury and South Glastonbury, Conn.)
This orchard is located in South Glastonbury and Glastonbury. They are in touch with their technology outreach, offering a professional website, blog, monthly newsletters and an up-to-date Facebook page. They offer mums, basil pesto and the ever-popular Honey crisp apple as well.
Horse Listeners Orchard (Ashford, Conn.)
Situated in Ashford, Horse Listeners Orchard offers 25 different varieties of apples and sells many homegrown vegetables. They also have a store with an expansive selection of fresh produce, pies, crisps and ciders. And in the summer time, they offer a camp for horseback riding for young students. The location is only 12 minutes for campus, and is often popular with clubs for bonding events.
Johnny Appleseed’s Farm (Ellington and Torrington, Conn.)
There are two places to find Johnny Appleseed’s Farm: located in Ellington and Torrington. They operate July thru Thanksgiving and have 12 different kinds of apples to choose from. They offer pick-your-own apples, but have a farmers market to purchase additional fruit and vegetables. In order to make the best of your harvest selections, they provide recipes to make your apple creations.
Kollas Orchard (Tolland, Conn.)
Unfortunately this orchard is not pick your own, but boasts six acres of apples handpicked and sold in their store. Students can buy fruit by the pound and their store also sells apple cider, frozen pies and local honey. The owners, David and Janet Kollas, have been in operation for 40 years, after retiring from positions held at UConn and a local elementary school. This orchard is in Tolland, CT.
Elizabeth Charash is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. She can be reached via email at elizabeth.charash@uconn.edu.
