When We are Open

Reminder on our days and hours:  Open 9 am to 6 pm every day, including holidays.  Closed Tuesdays.  To call us with an order or a question:  269-244-5690.

Thursday, August 26th is National Dog Day.  Pick up a packet of our Riker’s Dog Treats for “human’s best friend”.  All treats have 7 or less ingredients and are wheat, corn, and soy free, and have no preservatives, artificial coloring, or flavoring.  We stock several flavors and sizes that we know your dog will love!

Happenings on the Farm

This long spell of oppressive heat is surely taking its toll on everyone and everything trying to grow on the farm.  These hot days accelerate the growth of everything, which will cause some summer crops to soon be done, even though we timed the plantings to be here through Labor Day weekend.  If you haven’t gotten your sweet corn yet, we are now picking our last field for the year, so don’t delay if you are trying to freeze some.  We think the corn will make it through Labor Day weekend so you can enjoy it at that end-of-summer cookout.  The several varieties of late peaches that we grow all ripened at the same time and we have finished picking for the year, which means these sweet, juice-dripping peaches we have all so enjoyed this year will be gone soon, we no longer have any more bushels.  Watermelon and cantaloupe are abundant now.  Chill one and enjoy a sweet treat on these hot days!

The erratic weather conditions of late have caused some produce to not grow into the perfect fruit or vegetable that we want for our customers.  The heat causes produce to grow faster than it should, and there have not been any cool nights for the plants/ trees/ vines to get any relief.  And, we can’t see inside a tomato, an ear of sweet corn, a cantaloupe, etc.  You might find a deeper core in your tomato that you must cut out, or split pits in your peaches or plums, an eggplant with an odd shape, some other minor marks caused by the hail from a few weeks ago.  Our apologies, and we thank you in advance for your understanding.  We stand behind everything we grow here, so please let us know if something is not right and we will make it right.

As the summer crops wane, it is hard to believe that schools are starting, summer is ending, and Labor Day weekend is almost here.  Who’s ready for an acorn squash, gourds, pumpkins and sweater weather?!!  We have some fun and interesting things planned for Labor Day weekend, so watch for this update next week!

Apples and Grapes

The heat is bringing fall crops on early, so we expect fall apples and grapes to be ready possibly one week earlier than usual.  We have a good crop of both.  We have published our annual “Apple Estimate” chart so you can tell when your favorite variety is ready and how many we will have.  You can pick one up at our market or find it here.

Summer Apples.  All our summer apples are now in.  Here are the offerings of some new and traditional ones that we think you will love with samples available to try!  Please keep your summer apples in the refrigerator as they are not “keepers” like some of the fall apples.

  • KinderKrisp is a small but very crispy and sweet red apple.  The crispiness comes from one of its parents, the famous Honeycrisp apple.  While the fruit may be smaller than Honeycrisp, it is by no means small on flavor.
  • Blondee apples are medium-sized and have a shape very similar to their Gala apple parent.  The apples have a smooth yellow skin with slight russeting at the stem.  With a firm, bright white flesh that is slow to brown, the crisp and crunchy Blondee apple is resistant to bruising.  They have a mild, sweet taste with almost no acidity.  There are hints of honey, green banana, ginger, and melon!
  • Ginger Gold apples have a pale yellow skin with slight russeting on the surface.  They have a crisp, cream-colored flesh with a sweet, mildly tart taste.  The sweet apple also has a sharp flavor that provides a slight spiciness.  The flesh has a fine texture and does not brown right away when cut, making for a nicer appearance in fruit salads and as a fresh-cut snack.
  • EarliBlaze apple is a small to medium apple, tolerably crisp and juicy, slightly tart.  Great for eating, apple sauce or especially apple pie.
  • Paula Red apples are an attractive fruit with dusty red colored skin covered in gold spots.  Their appearance is reminiscent of the more well-known McIntosh.  They have white flesh that is juicy.  The flavor is both sweet and tart.  For fresh eating or cooking.

Below is a box of Blondees headed for the market!

Sunflowers

Sunflower Field #2 is now open and in peak blooms for your enjoyment.  We have a short and a long meandering path for you to walk through and enjoy, and of course take some great pictures.  We have one more sunflower field coming after this one.  Stay tuned for the opening date which will depend on the weather.

Hours.  Field opens at 9 am and you must leave the field by 5 pm.  Closed Tuesdays.

Admission Fee and Pricing.  Check in at the market first for an admission ticket and directions.

  • $6 ages 11 years and older
  • $3 for accompanied children 37 inches to age 11
  • No charge for those under 36 inches on our Sunflower measuring stick
  • $20 season pass (unlimited visits)
  • Additional blooms $2 each, 6 for more are $1.50 each

What’s Included.

  • Stroll through the pathways cut through the field and walk the perimeter.
  • Each admission includes a complimentary sunflower (with bag and water) to take home
  • Photo opportunities with the flowers, props, and antique farm vehicles
  • Places to relax – picnic tables, hay bales
  • General educational agricultural information

Photographers.  Please contact Brenda@coreylakeorchards.com for information, fees, and evening hours.

Two lovely ladies recently came and enjoyed the sunflowers to celebrate their birthdays!

Ms. Ine just turned 95 and enjoyed her time in the field!

Ms. Kaleigh also celebrated her birthday with the blooms!  (Photo courtesy of Kaleigh M Photography)

Other Fall Produce Updates

Stanley Prune Plums will be arriving this weekend.  These are a sweet, purple plum that is freestone!

Where are the onions this year?  Many of you are asking where these are and why they are not hanging up like usual?  After all, we even have a barn named the “onion barn” just for us to hang these annually to cure.  Sadly, the spring weather along with the latest rounds of rain, winds, hail, and excessive heat, have caused this to be a “crop failure.”  We are harvesting the few that we have.  Once harvested, we will see if we have enough to put in the mesh bags, but their tops are ruined so they cannot be strung up in bunches like normal.

This is what they looked like in past years ….

On The Market

The market countertops are overflowing with late summer produce!

Apples – several late summer/ early fall varieties perfect for fresh eating and applesauce
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower – almost done for the year
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Fresh Cut Flower bouquets
Herbs
Kale
Lettuce – regular, spicy, arugula
Melons/Cantaloupe – Try our new “Sensation” or the personal size “Sugar Cube”
Mushrooms
Onions
Peaches – quarts, half pecks, and pecks only
Pears—let ripen for a few days, will turn yellow, juicy and sweet
Peppers – many varieties, hot and sweet
Shallots – all harvested for the year
Sweet Corn
Tomatoes – regular, mini, and green tomatoes
Watermelon – seeded
Yellow Squash – almost done for the year
Zucchini – almost done for the year

Bulk Produce for Canning and Freezing.  We are making calls and scheduling pick up dates for preordered bulk quantities of tomatoes (first and second quality).  We are also trying to keep extra tomatoes and sweet corn on hand for those that want a bushel or two.  If you can let us know in advance that you want some, that is helpful.  Just call us at 269-244-5690 and give us your name, phone number, approximate amount, and date desired.

Bartlett Pears.  We have picked our limited crop of Bartlett pears for the year and reached out to everyone on our preorder list.  They are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Grocery Items.  Assortment of local meat, cheese, yogurt, eggs, jam, jelly, salsa, maple syrup, honey, chips, tortilla chips, ice cream, and more.

Gift Items.  Assorted greeting cards, pottery, artwork, sculptures, Mad Mats, and more.

Bakery

Donuts.  Just a reminder that we only make donuts on Saturdays and Sundays.   We make fresh Buttermilk, Cherry, and Blueberry donuts, plain and sugared.

Fruit Pies.  This year our pies are frozen “take and bake” only; we no longer offer “ready to eat” pies.  Having them frozen allows us to offer a full variety of pies every day the market is open, not just on weekends.  If you are driving far, bring a cooler or insulated freezer bag.  The pies are simple to bake, take about an hour, ready to bake when you need them, and give your house a mouthwatering aroma!  So far customers are liking this better.  The pies are hot right out of your oven, plus extra pies can be tucked in the freezer for that time when you need a dessert!  Baking directions are included on each pie.

Pie Varieties:  Apple, Dutch Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, Cherry Berry, Peach, and Strawberry-Rhubarb.

Slushies.  With the heat of summer already here, enjoy a nice cold slushie!  We have Strawberry, Mango, Strawberry-Mango mix, or Cider.

Baked Goods from Yoder’s

We are offering additional homemade baked goods from Yoder’s Country Store.

  • Each day the market is open – cookies and breads.
  • Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only – Amish fry pies and cinnamon rolls

Amish Fry Pies (pocket-sized, half circle pie): Apple, Black Raspberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Lemon, Peach, Red Raspberry, Strawberry-Rhubarb

Breads (pre-sliced, ready to use!): English Muffin, Italian Cheese, Jalapeno Cheddar, Multigrain, Oatmeal, Raisin Cinnamon, and Sourdough

Cinnamon Rolls with cream cheese icing

Cookies: Chocolate Chip, Molasses, Oatmeal Raisin, Oatmeal Sandwich, Peanut Butter, Sugar Cookies, and Whoopi Pies

Order Ahead!  You can always call the market and order you favorite baked goods to ensure that we will have them.

Spirits, Wine, and Hard Ciders

We have a nice selection of alcohol produced on the farm.

  • Fruit brandy in 375ml and 750ml sizes
  • Wine – an assortment of sweet and dry
  • Hard cider in 12-ounce bottles.  You can purchase them individually or mix and match them in a discounted 4- or 6-pack.

COVID-19 Guidelines

We are following operational guidance from the CDC as well as State and local health rules.  We are an open-air market and masks are optional though we encourage you to wear them if you have not been vaccinated.  Our staff has been vaccinated and are not required to wear masks.  Please note that we also follow food safety rules that regulate how produce is harvested and packaged.

We look forward to seeing you soon.  Thank you for shopping local.
From everyone at Corey Lake Orchards