Applegate Orchards, located at 426 Rosenburger Rd. in Owego, N.Y., is a family-owned apple orchard, which offers six varieties of u-pick apples, as well as raspberries and homemade cider and donuts. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Applegate Orchards is open through mid-October. (Provided Photos)
Applegate Orchards, located at 426 Rosenburger Rd. in Owego, N.Y., is a family-owned apple orchard, which offers six varieties of u-pick apples, as well as raspberries and homemade cider and donuts. For information, call (607) 687-1222, find Applegate Orchards on Facebook or visit their website, applegateorchardsny.webs.com.
Just a few minutes north of Owego via Route 38 is a popular destination for apple enthusiasts. Applegate Orchards, located at 426 Rosenburger Rd. in Owego, N.Y., and surrounded by beautiful scenic views, was recently acknowledged by NewYorkUpstate.com, a travel resource, as one of the nine best apple orchards in the Finger Lakes region.
Recognized for apple picking, apple cider and donuts, the property draws visitors from not only Tioga County, but from surrounding counties as well. A family-oriented environment, visitors will also enjoy seeing the sheep and mini horses on site.
Owners Ray and Sabrina Reeves and their six children, four sons and two daughters, along with three daughters-in-law and one grandchild, all contribute to the business. Started in the spring of 2010, Tioga County’s first u-pick apple orchard began with planting and pruning and other preparations, and has grown considerably since the gates opened for picking in 2012.
Original plans were to open in 2011, and actually the apples were sweet, ready and plentiful then, however the harvest season occurred at the same time that the Southern Tier experienced the devastating flood in September that year. So, instead of opening the gates for picking, the Reeves family loaded up and distributed 100 bushels or more of apples to residents affected by the flood.
What started as a goal to provide extra income and a future venture for their large family, and after working 23 years at Home Central, Ray Reeves started the orchard with 1,500 apple trees. Another 8,000 trees were added after a fruitful first year, yet the loss of more than a third of those trees to disease proved to be a challenging learning process.
Applegate Orchards rebounded significantly, though, and has since blossomed into a busy producer of six apple varieties for picking, including Honey Crisp, Gala, Ginger Gold, Macintosh, Crimson Crisp and Red Delicious, as well as red raspberries, too. Customers will also enjoy selections of jams, jelly and honey.
The Reeves purchased a state-of-the-art cider press in 2012, so visitors can choose one gallon or half-gallon jugs, or take along a 16 oz. size. Fresh, homemade, cake-type donuts are made daily and include traditional flavors like plain, cinnamon and powdered, but visitors will be tempted by more creative choices like chocolate Oreo, pumpkin with cream cheese frosting, or chocolate/caramel Heath crunch, just to name a few. A new treat on site is the “Country Donut Sundae,” which is a donut topped with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry.
Ray Reeves shared, “Owego really is the gateway to the Finger Lakes region. Visitors have come from as far away as New York City to pick apples.”
Reeves added, “A real asset of our orchard is that it allows people who live in the area to stay local and pick local.”
Applegate Orchards is open through mid-October. All varieties of u-pick apples are $1 per pound or 80 cents per pound for 45 or more pounds. Raspberries are $4 per pint or $7 per quart.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
From Owego, follow Route 38 north and look for the “U-Pick Apples” sign; take a right on McLean Road and another right on Rosenburger Road. Additional signs are posted along the way.
For information, call (607) 687-1222, find Applegate Orchards on Facebook or visit their website, applegateorchardsny.webs.com.
