Pick Your Own Apples From 22 Varieties at Bellewood Farms
Apples taste better when you’ve picked them yourself during a beautiful fall day at Whatcom County’s Bellewood Farms & Distillery, where the orchards open to the public Labor Day weekend.
During the U-pick harvest that runs from Sept. 5 through late October, the public can choose their apples from trees on the 62 acres at Bellewood Farms, enhanced by a beautiful view of Mt. Baker. U-pick hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Bellewood Farms is located at 6140 Guide Meridian (State Route 539), Lynden, a beautiful day trip for many and a short drive for most Whatcom County residents.
“A summer of sunshine has been great for our apples,” said Eric Abel, president of Bellewood Farms. “The public is welcome to walk a short distance into our orchards or take our apple bin train ride.”
If you wait a few weeks, you can combine gathering apples with a walk through Bellewood’s pumpkin patch, which will open Sept. 26 with a great selection for carving and fall décor for homes and businesses.
The first fruit available are Tsugaru apples – a sweet, crisp and juicy Japanese variety. Also, Bellewood’s store begins in mid-August offering Gravenstein, Zestar and Tgusaru apples plus red and green Clapp pears. Gravensteins are popular for baking dishes and making applesauce. More of the 22 varieties, including the popular Honeycrisp apples, will be harvested when they are ready.
“Families, couples and individuals of all ages can enjoy an authentic farm-to-table experience and learn about the safe and nutritious food grown here,” Abel said. “We also welcome questions about the best apples for snacking, baking, sauces and storing.”
The Bellewood Farms apple bin train ride will take people through the orchard during the harvest season for a small fee. A corn maze that also opens Labor Day weekend is free. Apple cider doughnuts are available Saturdays and Sundays. Schools, co-ops and homeschool families are welcome to bring children for tours on weekdays, although reservations should be made by a school teacher or administrator.
Bellewood Farms typically harvests around 1.7 million pounds of apples annually, selling many of them through local grocery stores, including Haggen Food & Pharmacy and Community Food Co-op locations in Whatcom County.
Bellewood Farms offers fresh apples, baked goods, gluten-free products and fall gifts and décor. It’s also one of the top 50 craft distilleries and the first apple distillery in the Pacific Northwest. New products include Double B – a bourbon and brandy blend.
For more information, call (360) 318-7720 or visit www.bellewoodfarms.com.
