Virginia apple season offers ample, tasty selection

It’s now peak apple season in Virginia and consumers can start enjoying a sweet selection of locally grown options following an abnormally dry summer.

Orchards across the state typically begin harvesting apples in July and continue through early November, with a majority harvested during the fall, reported the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. There were 828 farms growing apples on 11,149 acres in 2022, according to the mostrecent U.S. Census of Agriculture.

Rockingham County orchardist Shannon Showalter of Showalter’s Orchard & Greenhouse expects decent yields this fall.

“But like everything else in agriculture this year, it’s been a little trying,” he said.

As of September 4, a drought watch advisory had been expanded to 22 counties in the Big Sandy, New River and Northern Virginia regions.

While widespread precipitation from tropical storm Debby provided significant relief for drought conditions, summer’s severe lack of rainfall resulted in smaller apples statewide.

 

Picking smaller apples also takes “twice as long, which is twice as expensive,” he said. But dry, hot conditions usually mean sweeter apples—”just like peaches,” said Kevin Drumheller of Drumheller’s Orchard.

The Nelson County orchard grows 22 different apple varieties. “My two personal favorite apples are Golden Delicious and the old-fashioned Stayman,” Drumheller said.

His orchard will begin harvesting Stayman apples in late September or early October, and customers also can look forward to later varieties like Pink Ladys in November. Drumheller expects to have apples available until late December.

Growing over 30 apple varieties, Showalter’s Orchard is kicking off its Jonathan, Jonagold, and Red and Golden delicious season ahead of Stayman, Winesap, Fuji, Granny Smith and Pink Lady harvesting. Customers can pick their own apples through early November and taste a variety of hard cider at the orchard’s tasting room year round.