A Slightly Biased Comparison of Three Local Orchards.
Parking:
Apple Blossom Farm – Parking is in a large field.
Christ Orchard – Parking in a small lot next to the owner’s house.
Tanners Orchard – A parking attendant will direct you.
Atmosphere:
Apple Blossom – Chaotic is putting it kindly.
Christ Orchard – Pleasantly laid-back.
Tanners Orchard – Well laid out, but can get crowded.
History:
Apple Blossom – Owned by Hoerr Nursery.
Christ Orchard – Family owned and operated for 31 years.
Tanners Orchard – Family owned and operated for 60 years.
Apple Prices, Pre-Picked:
Apple Blossom – $49-54/bushel.
Christ Orchard – $26-30/bushel.
Tanners Orchard – $48/bushel
Apples, You-Pick:
Apple Blossom – $49-54/bushel.
Christ Orchard – $30/bushel.
Tanners Orchard – $72/bushel.
Pumpkins, average size:
Apple Blossom – $3.50-$5.
Christ Orchard – $3-4
Tanners Orchard – $4-5.
Check Out:
Apple Blossom – Patience is a virtue.
Christ Orchard – You may have to wait because you are writing down the perfect apple pie recipe.
Tanners Orchard – Patience is a virtue.
Extras:
Apple Blossom – Monster Truck Ride, $5. Playground & petting zoo, $5. Corn Maze, $5.
Christ Orchard – Swing suspended from very large tree branch. Real farm animals. Free.
Tanners Orchard – Playground & petting zoo, including pony rides, $7 weekends. Corn Maze, $6 adults, $5 children. Gem Mining, $5-8.
Conclusion:
If a trip to wally world excites you and apples are a mere afterthought, go to Apple Blossom Farm. If you want a slightly less wally world experience and have deep pockets, go to Tanners. If your pockets aren’t that deep and the thought spending a Saturday afternoon unrushed picking apples, pumpkins, gourds and humongous mums at a place with true, not manufactured, country charm, choose Christ.
Additional reading:
PollyPeoria on Tanners Orchard.
CJ Summers on Christ Orchard.
My Flock Rocks on Christ Orchard.
October 5th, 2008 at 7:25 am
OK, I have now officially been to both Tanners Orchards and Christ Orchard this Fall.
My take:
Christ Orchard: Better quality apples and Cider. Better prices on mums and pumpking. More access to the orchards and pumpkin patches. Friendlier staff. Parking was a BEAR. It’s a wonder I wasn’t in a fender bender.
Tanners Orchard: Much more for children to do… many more activities and farm animals, more expensive event but more of an “all day” thing as opposed to a 1-2 hour event.
My vote:
Tanner’s. (if you have young children)
Christ’s (if your children are older and/or you just want a little taste of Fall)