KEWAUNEE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The season is underway for picking apples in Northeast Wisconsin.
Dozens of different varieties can be found at orchards around the area.
Behind green tree limbs at Hillside Apples near Casco, people are looking for that perfect pick.
“I waited, and waited and waited for the Cortlands to be ready, and today is the day,” said Barb Pearce, Town of Humboldt.
A few rows over, others say there are plenty to choose.
“These trees are so full of apples here. It’s amazing how many are on these small little trees,” said Greg Langer, Bellevue.
It’s that time of year.
“It’s kind of been slow getting that point, but the flavor is good, The calendar says it’s time,” said Bill Roethle, Hillside Apples Owner.
Roethle tells FOX 11 about 30 different varieties on the 35-acre orchard are less than a week behind.
“The size of the crop is probably down, or below average I would say a little bit. But the quality of the fruit this year, is probably excellent. The size, and the fruit is clean, but the apples are, in general, bigger than I guess our average year.”
Roethle says McIntosh, Honeycrisp, and Cortland are popular varieties. He says people like to eat apples, and bake with them too.
“One thing I always say. With apples, there is no bad apple desserts. Apple pie. Apple crisp. There’s no bad apple dessert, period.”
Greg Langer agrees.
“I like the green ones, and they’re tart.”
What do people do with the Cortlands?
“We dry some of them, we eat them, and and we make pies out of them.”
Meanwhile, Barb Pearce says sampling the product is necessary.
“There’s nothing better than picking them fresh off of the trees, and eating them as you pick. It’s awesome.”
Producers say the apple season typically lasts until the end of October.
They say people should call ahead for picking conditions, and availability, before heading out to the orchards.
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