Fall is the time to be outdoors- especially in Bedford County, Virginia.
With cooler weather and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, this is the time to meander down some country roads, taking in the natural beauty ~ and we have miles of country roads! We've made a date to take the girls apple picking in Bedford County next week.
Two of our favorite orchards are:
6817 Wheats Valley Road
Bedford, VA 24523
Visit www.moblyng.com to make your own!
Gross' Orchard has been in business since the late 1800's. Family owned, they specialize in growing peaches and apples and you couldn't pick a better location as the orchard is located at the foot of the beautiful Peaks of Otter. From June 20th -Sept 15th you can find peaches ready and waiting or you can pick for yourselves.
Beginning Sept 1st, apple picking begins and there is a great variety of apples to choose from. The retail outlet also features homemade items, cider and jams. Want to ship a gift pack? Gross's will ship nationwide for you. Field Trips, Tours and Tour Buses are Welcome! Call (540) 586-2436 to set up appointment.
2122 Sheep CreekRd
Bedford, VA 24523
We started coming to Johnson's on field trips with my girls when they were in the first grade. The 15 foot Johnny Appleseed statue was a favorite photo op. This is another beautiful farm with over 200 acres, over 7,000 apple trees of 200 different varieties. Johnson's also has several hundred peach, nectarine & damson trees. You would love their pumpkins in the fall.
Bring your lunch: there is a pavillion for picnics, many walking trails through the orchards, a log cabin and restrooms. Don't forget to stop in at the Peaks Of Otter Winery located at the orchard. For more information, call (540) 586-2436
While you're in the area, consider having dinner at The Peaks of Otter Lodge. Relaxed atmosphere, excellent food in the most beautiful setting overlooking Abbot Lake and Sharptop Mountain. What a way to end a great day.
For more information on things to do in Bedford County, Virginia, contact:
Debbie Malone, Realtor (R)
RE/MAX 1st Olympic
(434) 546-0369
Debbie, Growing up in Kansas I have memories of going to the peach orchards. We don't have any here in our area of Texas. It sounds like fun.
Marchel, the kids are looking forward to it, we haven't picked apples in a few years, we usually buy the bags when we go. These two orchards are set in such a beautiful spot, it will be nice to eat lunch under the trees. Thanks for stopping by!
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww....now that sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day. I LOVE fruit...so any orchard is like a little paradise to me. GBU!
Hi Elizabeth, the weather is absolutely perfect for apple picking. I am so looking forward to spending the day with my family.
We are going to get out this weekend and buy apples so that we can make apple butter and apple jelly. I love the fall season.
We are going to get out this weekend and buy apples so that we can make apple butter and apple jelly. I love the fall season.
Debbie, oh how I wish I was closer. I love apples. And they are good for you.
Rich, I love apple butter, I've never made it, usually buy it when we go to the Amish area of Pennsylvania. I'm looking forward to making pies!
Danny, I love apples too, especially Macintosh which are grown here. Nothing like a fresh apple right off the tree.
How are the apple pies out that way. I've always been addicted to apple pies because my wise old grandmother made them all the time. Out here I've become addicted to Julian apple pies, particularly the peach apple crumb pies and the cherry apple crumb pies. Every Friday, it's off to get a pie.
Hi Debbie the Bedford County, Virginia Apple Orchards looks great! Hope you and the girls have fun:)
Russel, You know your pies! I love to bake and I mix my favorite apples, (Granny Smith and Macintosh) with Rome. Sometimes I do a crumb topping but I enjoy making my own crust and usually load up the pie with apples and a second crust. So good with French Vanilla Ice Cream!
Thanks Bill, my 'girls' are 21 and 18, but they still love going to the orchard. I'm taking a family photo in front of Johnny Appleseed, corny, but a tradition!
I love this time of year. It is so much fun to go and pick apples. There are many opportutnies in New Hampshire, as well. I love the smell of the apples -- and the cider is awesome!
We used to have a plant nursery/orchard where they pressed their own cider. They closed down years ago and I still miss it. Your area looks great.
Joan, we would go every year when we lived in Mass and NH, hay rides, cider, such a great tradition.
Leslie, I think it's Johnson's Orchard that still presses their cider too. I love the four seasons of Virginia, not as cold as New England. Thanks for stopping by!
Debbie-
As a kid I remember my Dad taking us to the Shenandoah Valley every fall and buying fresh unpasteurized apple cider, nothing compares to the fresh stuff.
Hi Bryant, we have some beautiful country in Virginia. The Shenandoah Valley is just gorgeous in fall and I'm all for keeping the preservatives out of cider! Thanks for commenting.
When I was a kid my brother, sister, some of our friends and I picked several wagonfulls of green apples from a long abandoned orchard. I remember mom making all kind of things from apple butter to applesauce with the apples. As the abandoned orchard bordered a rapidly developing Memphis suburb, within 2-3 years after "discovering" it, a shopping center took its place. Great memories though that I hadn't thought about in years.
When I was a kid my brother, sister, some of our friends and I picked several wagonfulls of green apples from a long abandoned orchard. I remember mom making all kind of things from apple butter to applesauce with the apples. As the abandoned orchard bordered a rapidly developing Memphis suburb, within 2-3 years after "discovering" it, a shopping center took its place. Great memories though that I hadn't thought about in years.
Rich, when I was very young we would visit an uncle who had an apple orchard. I still have some old photo's of the farm. I'm sure that land has been developed into a subdivision by now, sad.
Gross' Orchard will be hosting the Apple Harvest Festival the 3rd Saturday in October.
I love autumn..........apples, cider, cinnamon and spice....!
I like your idea of meandering down the country roads to enjoy the scenery. I think I had a name like Gross, I'd name the orchard differently ;)
Hi Liz, spring and fall are my favorite seasons. We bought a huge bag of apples at the orchard on Saturday and I'm looking forward to baking some pies this week. And the cider is sooooo good!
LOL! Lisa, I think the family has been in the county from way back when. We have some beautiful scenery in Bedford County, I would love to use my flip video and tape the mountains, they are incredible.
Howdy Debbie
The Blue Ridge Mountains, sure are the best looken Mountains in the Country.
Hi Dale, I love the fact that I can see the Blue Ridge Mountains every day, they are absolutely beautiful! Thanks for stopping by.