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Apple Picking Tips

Posted by :Julia Prince On : September 28, 2018

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Apple picking with the family is the ultimate fall activity. In addition to our visitor guidelines, here are Farmer Henry’s top tips for a successful orchard outing.

Avoid Underripe Apples

A variety of apples means a variety of ripeness. Once you’re in the orchard, surrounded by beautiful views and fall vibes, all the apples look delicious! Check all the apples on the branch to compare color and size. Look for even color.

Lift and Twist

When you find that perfect apple, lift and twist. The apple should come right off. If it doesn’t, it may not be ready.

Collect All Apples

If another apple falls while you’re trying to get the one you want, pick it up and put it in your bag! When an apple falls off the tree, it’s ripe and ready to eat—probably riper than the one you originally reached for.

Don’t Climb Trees

We know, it’s tempting. But climbing our trees is dangerous both for you and the plants. Broken branches mean lessened production for the following year, and your safety is even more important.

Dress for the Outdoors

It’s Mother Nature, after all! Conditions may be damp or muddy, and getting up close and personal with our apple trees isn’t always the cleanest endeavor. Follow us on Twitter (@ChilesPeachOrch or @CarterMountain) for weather updates.

Keep an Eye Out

We are a working farm, which means trucks and tractors are on the move. Be aware of your surroundings and keep to the sides of the roads.

Check Availability

Looking for the ideal apple for your baking project? Check the availability of different varieties on our website before you visit so you know what’s in store.

Check in With Staff

Even if you’re a frequent visitor (thank you!), check in with the staff when you arrive. They’ll be able to point you to ripe fruit and answer any additional picking questions.

Orchard Outlook: Apples

Posted by :Julia Prince On : September 1, 2018

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We love fall at the orchard! Farmer Henry’s got the outside scoop on how our favorite fall fruit is developing. We’re expecting a great crop this year for all 9 of our varieties. Apples are already starting to reach mature size and color.

Our Golden Delicious apples still have a bit of growing to do but should be available in October.

When visiting the farm, please be mindful of the trees. The branches are not always strong, but a broken branch means loss for both us and future customers. Keep a special eye on kids, who may be eager to grab fruit that’s not ready yet. Even if you’re a frequent customer (for which we are very grateful!), check in with our staff upon arrival so that they can point you to the ripest fruit and best experience at the farm.

Before you visit, you can also check out our tips for apple picking and look for live weather updates on Twitter @CarterMountain.

Pick-Your-Own Apples Now in Season

Posted by :Julia Prince On : September 5, 2017

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It’s hard to believe that summer is already over. It’s not all sad, though. In fact, fall is one of our favorite seasons here at Chiles Peach Orchard, because it means pick-your-own apples are here! We also have two of our favorite events: the 4^th Annual Pancake 5k and 6^th Annual Fall Into Fun Festival.

Fall weather makes for a perfect trip out to the orchard. Bring your family, friends, or even a date for a unique and memorable outing. Want to stretch your day trip into a weekend? We believe in making fun last, so check out our recommendations for what to do in Crozet.

Of course, we understand if you’re just raring for some apples. We get that feeling too! Be sure and check our fruit availability guide if you’re on the hunt for a specific fruit variety…but don’t worry, our cider donuts and tasting rooms are always in season.

Pick-Your-Own Apples Are Here

Posted by :Julia Prince On : September 5, 2017

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We’ve had a peachy summer at Carter Mountain, but it’s time to turn our attention to fall’s bounty: apples are ready to for picking!

If you’ve got your eye on a specific recipe, follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on apple variety availability. If you’re just looking for fresh air, gorgeous views, and maybe a little booze, every day’s a good day to c’mon out to the orchard! Or, mark your calendar for Johnny Appleseed’s 243^rd birthday and pick apples like it’s the 18^th century.

Make a day of it and have lunch at our Mountain Grill, which is open daily for farm-to-table dining. Don’t go home without our famous apple cider donuts (it’s OK, you’re having fruit too!).

Ready-picked peaches will continue to be available for purchase, along with certain apple varieties, for a bit longer.

See you on the mountain!

5 Apples a Day

Posted by :Julia Prince On : August 28, 2017

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We’ve all heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Here at Carter Mountain, we recommend a solid five apples a day. While we enjoy a crisp, raw apple (with so much variety, it’s hard to get bored!), here are some delicious ways to incorporate the bushel of apples you picked last weekend into every meal.

Breakfast: Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

The most important meal of the day! We love this easy apple oatmeal on a brisk fall morning. Bonus: it’s naturally gluten free, high fiber, and low fat.

Recipe and photo from Eating Well

Lunch: Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Shake things up (or…blend things up?) with this creamy soup that’ll warm you to your toes. The savory bacon contrasts perfectly with the sweet butternut squash and tart Granny Smith apples.

Recipe and photo from Epicurious

Afternoon Snack: Fruit Leather

Did you know that apples give you energy? A snacktime apple is a healthy alternative to a midday cup of Joe. If you’ve got kids (or if you’re a kid at heart), try homemade fruit leather for a fun pick-me-up.

Recipe and photo from Real Mom Nutrition

Dinner: Curry

This Trinidad-inspired curry uses tart green apples in place of mangos. Add some roti bread and curry enhancements such as cilantro or habanero for a simple yet flavorful dinner.

Recipe and photo from Simply Recipes

Dessert: Chimichangas

You didn’t think we’d forget dessert, did you? For a Tex-Mex twist on traditional apple pie, try these warm and gooey apple chimichangas.

Recipe and photo from Muchtaste

Suffice it to say that you don’t need to worry about over-picking apples this season. C’mon out to the orchard, check out our tips for cooking with apples, and be sure to let us know how your recipes turn out!

Carter Mountain Named Best Apple Cider

Posted by :Julia Prince On : April 10, 2017

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Delish Magazine recently named Carter Mountain among the Best Spots for Apple Cider Across the Country.

Apple Cider Recipe

So what makes Carter Mountain apple cider so great? Well, we start with Virginia apples and then we add…nothing. Our apple cider is made with one simple ingredient—apples! The cider is all natural, made with a mix of apple varieties. The apple varieties change throughout the season, depending on fruit availability.

Serving Suggestions

The cider can be served cold or hot (or in one of our famous slushies!). There is no ideal temperate for heating the cider, although as hot as the tongue can take is best.

To spice up the cider for a special occasion, add cinnamon, cloves, and mulling spices. For a real kick, add some rum! There are many tasty ways to dress up our apple cider but owner Cynthia Chiles prefers it plain because, as she says, “It tastes too good by itself!”

For apple cider recipes and consumer information, visit the US Apple Association Blog.

Try These Other Great Ciders

Congratulations to our fellow farmers who were also featured in the article! We are proud to call you friends.

Mid-June Crop Update for Chiles Peach Orchard

Posted by :Cynthia Chiles On : June 16, 2016

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Pick-Your-Own Peaches Will Be In Short Supply…

As you are likely aware, we’ve had some major challenges with the weather this year. Our winter was extremely warm (warmest on record, as a matter of fact), so our peach trees didn’t get all the dormant time they require. They also bloomed in mid-March, 3-4 weeks earlier than normal. This means they were quite advanced when the mid-April freezes and frosts hit us. We had several nights below freezing, and even some nights in the low-mid 20s’. Our peach crop in Crozet, which is a rather low elevation, suffered significantly. For the past few weeks we’ve been watching with hope as the fruits start to form, only to then drop off the trees.

Because of this, we will have a very short supply of pick-your-own peaches at Chiles Peach Orchard this year, and they will likely be available sometime in July (stay tuned, we will keep you posted). We will, however, have plenty of our own already picked peaches for you (see below), no never fear – you can get your peach fix! We appreciate your understanding, and we will always provide you with the very best that we have.

Henry Chiles checking peach trees in the spring for live blooms after a cold snap

But, Already-Picked Peaches are Available

Fortunately, we grow peaches on other land in Albemarle County, and some, at higher elevations, were less affected by the freeze. We’re pleased to let you know that we are supplying our farm market with our own peaches this summer, as always. Clingstone peaches are in season now, and we expect our first freestones in mid-July. Nectarines, white peaches, and donut peaches should be available by late June.

NEW! Pick-Your-Own Blueberries

We first planted our blueberry bushes 3 years ago, and we’re happy to report that this year, we do have a small crop! Picking will be available off and on throughout the summer – it varies depending on weather and crowds – feel free to call ahead, or watch our facebook and twitter pages for daily updates.

New! Homegrown Vegetables

New this year—we are growing summer vegetables and flowers! We harvested our first zucchini today, and will have squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, green beans, and cut flowers in our market most of the summer. Farm fresh, local, homegrown—and all delicious and beautiful! Check out our selection next time you stop in!

Baby tomatoes - vegetables at Chiles Peach Orchard

Tomatoes, and other vegetables, grown at Chiles Peach Orchard will be available in the Farm Market

Ready-Picked Lodi Apples Available Soon

Our apple crop in Crozet is looking very good so far!

Summer apples—our first Lodi apples will be available (already picked) within the next few days. These are wonderful for frying, cooking, and applesauce. They will be in season for about 2-3 weeks, so if you are a fan, you’ll want to stop in soon!

We anticipate our first pick-your-own apples in mid-August – but stay tuned for updates throughout the summer.

Pumpkins to be Planted This Week

Our pumpkins are being planted this week (so no frost damage as of yet!!). With lots of hard work, luck, and help from Mother Nature, our pumpkin patch will open in mid-September.

Stay tuned to our social media pages for updates throughout the summer!

Discovering Virginia: Carter Mountain Orchard

Posted by :Franziska Matiuk On : November 24, 2015

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Carter Mountain Orchard, next door to Monticello, has been a working commercial orchard for more than 100 years. Owner Cynthia Chiles talks to Virginia Voice’s Lou Dean about the apple varieties the orchard produces and the full experience visitors can expect, from apple picking to special events to school field trips to geocaching adventures. And who can forget the hot apple cider donuts? Listen to the full interview with Lou Dean (27 minutes).

Here are the highlights:

Carter Mountain Orchard grows about 15 different apple varieties, as well as peaches.

First apples come in during July, and are picked all through November. (Check out our apple availability chart!) Apple varieties include Ginger Gold, Gala, Golden and Red Delicious, Rome, and Albemarle Pippin.

To extend the season at Carter Mountain, the Orchard has planted peaches, which are available as both pick-your-own and ready-picked. Carter Mountain’s sister farm, Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet, grows mainly peaches, but there visitors can also find pick-your-own strawberries, pumpkins and some apples, in season.

If you only want apples, go to the grocery store.

In fact, Carter Mountain sells apples to the grocery store. But if you’re looking for the full experience and to spend time outside, come to Carter Mountain! “I love to see a light bulb go off in a child’s head when they connect the apple from the grocery store to the apple they picked from the tree and hold in their hand,” says Cynthia.

The “Buy fresh, Buy local” effort has been good for Carter Mountain’s business and has brought many families to Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Families can make a day or weekend trip out of a visit to the Orchard by including a trip to Monticello, local wineries and breweries, or Shenandoah Park.

There’s a lot of history on Carter Mountain.

The farm is part of a 10,000-acre land grant to the Carter Family from House of Burgesses and referred to often by Thomas Jefferson in his writings. Carter Mountain has been a commercial orchard for over a century!

“We’re just trying to use the land we’re blessed with the best we can,” says Cynthia. “It started with my mom sitting up here and selling a few apples. We added a bakery and made apple cider donuts. I think people come for the donuts more than the apples!”

The Orchard is kid-friendly.

Because it is such a family experience up here, the Orchard started talking to local schools. The schools wanted to show children where their food comes from and Carter Mountain wanted to help.

Cynthia recalls, “Now I’m going back 30 years—my mother would get up on the school bus and talk to the kids. Then we’d put them on a hay wagon, and we’d give them a bag to pick apples in the orchard. The last couple of years we’ve had about 10,000 children each fall, and these are some of our favorite days when the school buses are rolling in. Depending on each age level, they get an age-appropriate lesson. We talk about the economy and apple production.”

Learn more about our field trips

In addition to schools, Chiles Family Orchards works with Girl and Boy Scouts who are earning patches for their requirements and church groups that come for a youth activity.

Cider, Hard Cider, and Wine

Carter Mountain Orchard grows 5-6 different grape varietals and partners with Prince Michel winery to bottle Carter Mountain wine. The newest addition to the Mountain is a tasting room for Bold Rock Cider, which opened in June 2015. Carter Mountain even provides most of the apples for Bold Rock—we recommend trying their IPA, India Pressed Apple!

Chiles Peach Orchard Closed for Season

Posted by :Julia Prince On : November 23, 2015

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With winter on its way, Chiles Peach Orchard is officially closed for the season. It was a wonderful year at the Orchard, with many visitors from all over the country and successful events (don’t worry, pancake breakfasts will be back next year!).

From our family to yours, we look forward to welcoming you to the Orchard next spring for strawberry season. Thank you for a wonderful year!

Halloween Fun at Carter Mountain Orchard

Posted by :Franziska Matiuk On : November 2, 2015

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Carter Mountain Orchard hosted it’s first ever Halloween “party” on Saturday with a a costume parade, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving contest, costume contest, hayrides, apple picking, and workshops on making caramel apples.

“With Halloween being on a Saturday we decided to have an event that celebrates the season,” said Cynthia Chiles, manager at Carter Mountain Orchard. “It’s been fun to see all the families here dressed up and having a nice family day.”

Carter Mountain will continue to celebrate the Fall season with apple picking lasting for another couple of weeks. Come pick your own!

Video courtesy of Newsplex

Video courtesy of NBC29 WVIR