Watauga County Farmers' Market

Preserving the past and embracing the future

• 2820 Big Hill Road
• Boone, N.C.
• 828-264-3424

HISTORY

The orchard was started by my grandfather in the 1930's. A nurseryman offered him some trees at a discount due to a cancellation.

In those days the trees were standards, which grew tall and required a lot of labor to work. My father planted semi-dwarf and a few dwarf trees to cut down on the labor needs. He added several new varieties.

These days I am planting mostly dwarfs and using a high-density system (500- 1000 trees to the acre). This allows me to have a greater yield and variety choice.

I am concerned about protecting the environment and monitor the orchard in order to avoid unnecessary spraying. I use the safest pesticides that do the job. Organic disease control on fruit trees is not economically feasible, given our climate and present organic capability.

PRODUCTS

We have over 90 different varieties of apples. Sweet to tart and in between. Antiques to modern.

Peaches-white and yellow

Nectarines-white and yellow, cling and freestones.

Plums-Damson, Ozark Premiere and Green

Cherries-sweet and sour

Apricots-canning and eating

Pears-European and Asian. Bartlett, Shinseiki, 20th Century, Korean Giant, Hosui and Kikusui.

Honey-clover, sumac, sourwood and various in season mixes.

We offer in season: beans, tomatoes, greens and lettuces, corn, squash, cucumbers, and more.

• Beans-half runners, Romano, 100 year, Louise and Pink Tip shelly
• Lettuces-French Crisp, leaf, Romaine and reds
• Tomatoes-Old German, Celebrity, Caspian Pink, Roma and Italian Gold
• Cucumbers-French Cornichon, pickler and slicing
• Corn-Kandy
• Squash-yellow summer
• Greens-mustard, kale and spinach

Coming soon
Rare fruits: sea berries, honey berries. Kiwi, Goumi, persimmons and paw paws.

CONTACT ME ABOUT

Custom Grafting

Tours

Information

Recipes

And TALL TELLS

I offer CSA subscriptions to local families. Community supported agriculture is a way for people to share in the harvest without dealing with the risks involved, such as late frosts. The program is similar to a magazine subscription. Customers receive one bag of apples a week for twelve weeks, each containing three varieties. In the second year the customer can choose half of the varieties included. In subsequent years the choices are entirely up to the customer, and the bags are rounded off with any new varieties that are available.

DIRECTIONS TO THE ORCHARD

From Boone, take 194 N at Perkinsville (intersection of 194 & 421S), go 5.3 miles and take right on Big Hill Road at Green Valley School. Go 2.5 miles to intersection with Tom Jackson Road, continue left on Big Hill Road for .25 miles to orchard.
From Todd, take Big Hill Road for 2.9 miles to orchard. Look for the sign between two buildings on the north side of the road. The house is south of (below) road.

Fried Apples

Peel spice apples and slice thinly, no more than 1/4 inch, into a buttered skillet on medium heat. When apples begin to cook, turn to low for simmering. Add brown sugar and cinnamon or allspice to taste. Place lid on pan, stir occasionally. Use fork to see when done. This recipe can also be used in the microwave.