Seasonal News
With our cherries and apples, we are primarily a pick-your-own orchard, though usually those fruits are available already picked, as well. Labor shortages related to immigration issues prevent us from guaranteeing cherries and apples already picked, but it’s rare when the already-picked supply runs out. Picking your own cherries and apples is one of life’s greatest pleasures, as many of our customers tell us. It’s a great way, as well, for family and friends to spend time with each other. Many of our customers tell us stories about how much the pick-your-own experience has meant to their children over the years they’ve been coming to pick.
We are proud to have a long tradition of growing food for local customers. We don’t ship fruit to supermarkets — our fruit is locally grown food for local or regional folks, thus circumventing the environmental problems associated with long-distance food. At our orchard, right at the source of the fruit, you are sure to get ripe and ultra-fresh fruit, lovingly grown. It is important to us to connect directly with you, our customers, and we feel that this connection is very special. All food has a story, and the story of our fruit is that direct, intimate connection between how and where our fruit is grown, and you, our customers and friends. By buying locally grown fruit, you also contribute to the vitality of our local economy, with your dollars staying in this region. You also help in what is becoming an American crisis — the loss of farmland to development. Your support of our farm helps us preserve it.
Remember, conditions change and supplies can vary every day on a cherry orchard, so BE SURE to call or email us before you come.
We hope that you enjoy your time at the orchard, and that we will have a chance to get to know you when you come. We prize the friendships that have emerged at this beautiful intersection of farmland, fruit, and people. Please feel free to contact us at any time at the phone numbers listed here on the site, or e-mail us at franklevering1@gmail.com
Thank you — and again, welcome!
APPLES, CHERRIES AND MORE
FALL APPLES
Levering Orchard was founded by Frank’s grandfather in 1908 as an apple orchard, and though today we grow a wide range of fruit, we continue to honor Ralph Levering’s original vision by producing many varieties of fall apples. By Labor Day, we’re picking and selling old standards like Red and Golden Delicious, as well as Spartan, a Macintosh-cross variety that wins new fans every year for it’s not-too-sweet, not-too-tart balance and juicy crispness. By the end of September we’re into our Jonagold season (a cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious), and the first week of October marks the beginning of Mutsu season.
STAYMEN-WINESAPS, GRANNYS, FUJIS, YORKS, ROMES
October and November are also the season for many classic varieties. Our Staymen-Winesaps are ripe during this period, and many people believe that this semi-tart apple is king of the hill. Others say that the Granny Smith-a favorite at our house, for sure-is impossible to beat. If you like something sweeter, our Fujis fill the bill (and the tummy). Yorks and Romes continue to set the standard for fall cooking apples.
Call 276.755.3593 during business hours for varieties available or email franklevering1@gmail.com
In the meantime, we hope to see you at Levering Orchard, hungry for fresh peaches, apples, and other fruits. We’ll do our best to satisfy your appetite and provide you with a fresher, more healthful, more adventurous alternative to supermarket fruit! As family farmers, we appreciate your interest, your business, and your friendship. We look forward to seeing you – not only in cyberspace but — in the Blue Ridge Mountain space!