Reasons We Love Kansas

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Reasons We Love Kansas

By Cecilia Harris

Harper Atchison Chetopa EdgertonKansas City

IN THIS ISSUE Self-Pick Apple Orchards

CIDER HILL FAMILY ORCHARD

Kansas City

Visitors sip on an apple cider slush or an apple cider freeze (an apple cider slush with ice cream) while eating an apple cider donut at the Cider Hill Family Orchard. With a 38-acre orchard containing some 6,000 apple trees, the Kansas City attraction produces a large harvest to enjoy in a variety of treats. But exploring the grounds is also part of the fun as the Apple Wagon transports guests to the middle of the orchards where they can pick their own apples beginning in August. Besides picking apples, families also may spend time in the pumpkin patch, at one of five fishing ponds, or—during the weekends—under the shade trees eating barbecue prepared and served by the owners. The orchard gift shop stocks apple crisp, caramel apples, apple butter, the Cider Hill signature sundae and more; orchard-picked sweet cherries, pears and sweet corn are sold when in season.

ciderhillfamilyorchard.com | 913.721.2507

22 KANSAS! MAGAZINE | 2022 ISSUE 5 PHOTOGRAPH Shutterstock

THE APPLEHUTCH

Plains

There’s no admission fee at The AppleHutch near Plains, a familyfriendly destination where kids play in the corn pit and can get up-close to a military truck and antique tractors. Guests of all ages can pick Gala and Honeycrisp apples off the trees as early as August. Other peak picking times are in September for Jonalicious, CandyCrisp and Cameo, and in October for Aztec Fuji, Pink Ladies and Granny Smith. The orchard also sells pumpkins, gourds, pears, jujubes and peaches when in season. Every Saturday in October, local vendors gather at the grounds to offer homemade food items and handmade crafts.

Facebook.com/applehutch 620.629.1447

BRENDA’S BERRIES AND ORCHARD

Chetopa

Apple-picking season at Brenda’s Berries and Orchard near Chetopa usually begins by the last week of September. The Enterprise and Gold Rush varieties are most plentiful for harvest during October, and their season usually ends in early November. Orchard-harvested apples typically are available through May. Also offered when in season are pick-your-own blackberries and raspberries, and orchard-harvested pears, Asian pears, pecans, peaches and asparagus. Visitors are encouraged to call in advance to notify the owner of when they plan to arrive. The orchard accepts cash and checks only.

brendasberries.blogspot.com 620.597.2450

GIERINGER’S FAMILY ORCHARD & BERRY FARM

Edgerton

At Gieringer’s Family Orchard & Berry Farm near Edgerton, nearly 20 different varieties of apple trees, including Ultima Gala, Firestorm Honeycrisp and Striped Fuji, grow on trellises. Visitors can pick from these trees from September through October and enjoy family activities such as a combine slide, a hay mountain, corn pit, pumpkin jump pad, apple sling shot and corn mazes. There is also an on-site market featuring Kansas-made products and produce grown on site such as sunflowers, pumpkins, sweet corn, tomatoes, blackberries, peaches, blueberries and strawberries when in season.

goberryfarm.com 913.893.9626

ST. ANDRE ORCHARD

Atchison

Apple pickers wishing to avoid the crowds should schedule an appointment at St. Andre Orchard near Atchison. The orchard features specialty varieties such as a yellow apple called Pristine that is ready for picking as early as July, a large sweet/tart eating apple named Zestar available in August, and the tart apple Gold Rush that lasts for months in refrigeration after being picked in late October. Around the orchard is a five-acre butterfly habitat. Ducks, geese, pigs, sheep and kittens expose children to life on a farm. Other fruits to be picked include blackberries, peaches and nectarines when in season.

facebook.com/standreorchard 913.370.3792

KANSAS DETAILS reasons

LEGACY ORCHARD

Harper

Tractors carry guests directly to the apple trees of Legacy Orchard, located on 30 acres near Harper. The orchard provides Jonathan apples and Arkansas Blacks, a sweet cooking apple that keeps well and dates to 1870. The orchard’s store usually sells apples, pears, cantaloupe, watermelon and pumpkins alongside apple butter, peach jam, and peach bourbon BBQ sauce; in other seasons, stock includes peaches, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers and other vegetables. Legacy Orchard typically hosts Fall Fest the first week in October. It also is open for autumn family portrait sessions made by appointment with a local professional photographer.

facebook.com/Legacyorchard 620.222.9722

NORTON Kansas

A Fall Travel Destination, with Hunting, Fishing and Family fun. Enjoy, Prairie Dog State Park, Sebelius Lake, historic downtown, casual dining, galleries, unique shopping experiences, Prairie Dog Golf Club, Station 15 Visitors Center, parks, walking trails, and disc golf. Drive Highway 36

Scott Bean Photography

KANSAS LANDSCAPE AND NATURE PHOTOGRAPHS