A visit to the apple orchard is an annual tradition for many families on Prince Edward Island
I drive down a long, narrow red dirt road. As I turn a corner I smile. Rows and rows of apple trees welcome me, their branches bowing from the weight of the bright red fruit.
The rain comes and goes as the sun tries to peak out from around the clouds. It’s Labour Day weekend, technically still summer, but I have a jacket and my rubber boots on.
My annual visit to Arlington Orchards supplies me with the apples I need to make preserves and desserts throughout the winter.
Like myself, a visit to Arlington Orchards is a family tradition for many Islanders and newcomers to Prince Edward Island.
The Heacocks moved to P.E.I. from Ontario two years ago. They heard about Arlington Orchards through work and social media.
This is their second visit to the orchard, and it is something they plan to do every year, said Dave Heacock.
The Nguyen family heard about it through the Vietnamese community in Summerside.
“We’ve got the third generation of families coming up here now,” said Barry Balsom, owner of Arlington Orchards.
A family orchard
Carol and Barry Balsom opened Arlington Orchards U-pick with families in mind 25 years ago.
“We wanted a theme for children, more than anything else,” Barry Balsom said, “like the Radio Flyer wagons and play area. It’s all designed for young families.”
At first, the road to the orchard was in poor condition.
People were afraid to drive down the long, narrow dirt road not knowing what was at the other end, said Balsom. Many would turn around.
So, the Balsoms decided to make it fun.
They hung stuffed animals in the trees along the road to greet the visitors and guide them to the orchard.
Upon arrival, visitors are directed to the rows of apple trees that are ready to harvest. They can then take a wagon and fill as many baskets as they want.
Long-time employee Janet McLean is running the U-pick this year. She is looking forward to the annual Shriner’s Scarecrow Festival that brings 5000 – 6000 visitors to the orchard in a single day.
“Hopefully we can have it this year, if COVID allows it to happen,” she said.
The original orchard was planted 28 years ago on a section of Carol Balsom’s family farm. Over 1800 trees were planted using a gas-powered hand-auger.
“We’ve been planting apples ever since,” Balsom said.
Currently they grow about 35 varieties of apples plus plums, pears, peaches and cherries making Arlington Orchards Prince Edward Island’s largest orchard.
Learn more about Arlington Orchards at www.arlingtonorchards.com
Here are some of my favourite apple recipes.
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