HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Did you know? More apples grow in Henderson County than anywhere else in North Carolina. And, the county is one of the top 20 apple-growing counties in the nation, according to Visit Hendersonville.
It’s no wonder the North Carolina Apple Festival is held in Hendersonville each year, drawing thousands from across the state and beyond.
Whether you’re planning on spending the day downtown or wandering around Apple Country over the holiday weekend, take some time to check out these orchards and farms across Hendersonville:
Note: Be sure to call ahead to make sure orchard/store hours haven’t changed.
According to their website, the Owenby family has been farming and growing apples in Edneyville for nearly 60 years. They currently farm nearly 90 acres, including apple orchards with a large variety of NC Apples.
- Where? 3807 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
According to their website, Barnwell’s has been family owned and operated since 1959.
- Where? 2900 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to their website, Coston Farm offers pre-picked fresh apple and fresh cider. Their Apple House gift shop offers unique and apple-themed gift items. They also have a bakery!
- Where? 3748 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
According to their website, Creasman Farms is a 3rd generation farm growing fruits and vegetables, tucked away on the Union Hill Ridge between the Dana and Edneyville. communities.
- Where? 280 Bent Arrow Lane, Hendersonville
- What hours? Creasman’s U-Pick orchard is open on Sundays from 1-5 p.m., beginning Sept. 8 this year.
According to their website, Grandad’s has been family owned and operated since 1994, with 120 acres of land.
Manager Kayce Watson told 828newsNOW they feel prepared for the Apple Festival rush, adding that they won’t be downtown for the festival, just doing their own thing on the farm. She said their crop is only a little smaller this year, but they have enough fruit that they’ll be “swimming in apples” over the holiday weekend.
- Where? 2951 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Henderson Farms offers apples, cider, pumpkins, fruits, vegetables, field trips and tours to those interested.
- Where? 705 Tracy Grove Rd, Flat Rock
- What hours? Open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to their website, Holt Orchards is a brother-sister team working together to keep their stepdad’s dream of having an apple farm alive.
- Where? 17 Holt Pond Drive, Flat Rock
- What hours? Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday through Friday noon – 5 p.m.
According to their website, J&M Farms says it grows the most variety of apples in the county, more than 50 varieties.
Co-owner Cheryl McCraw told 828newsNOW while they’re ready for the Apple Festival, adding that Labor Day weekend is usually their biggest seller, preparation has been challenging this year. The farm of about 100 acres was hit hard by hail this year, but they’ve been able to keep enough apples in stock for the big holiday weekend.
- Where? 3016 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open seven days a week June to December from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
According to their website, Jeter Mountain Farm is a family-owned and operated u-pick orchard that offers baked goods, cider and much more.
- Where? 1126 Jeter Mountain Rd, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to their website, Jimmy Nix & Sons offers over 15 varieties of apples, along with Asian pears, mountain cabbage and collard greens, and peaches.
Co-owner Tammy Nix told 828newsNOW she “hopes this weekend will be very busy” adding that “it’s always slower right before the holiday weekend” for them. She said luckily the farm, which consists of about 200 acres, was not hit hard by the hail storms that swept through Apple Country this year.
- Where? 3642 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
According to their website, the Justus Family has been growing delicious NC Apples in Hendersonville for more than four generations, with their fifth generation now taking an active part
- Where? 187 Garren Rd, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to their website, Linda’s Plants & Shrubs is a family owned and operated nursery and garden center serving Western North Carolina since 1984.
- Where? 308 Stepp Acres Lane, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
According to their Facebook Page, Lively Orchards is a 3rd generation family farm. They grow various varieties of apples and also Asian pears.
- Where? 1115 Upward Road, Flat Rock
- What hours? Open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to their website, McConnel Farms was established in the 1940’s.
- Where? 177 Old Dana Road, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to their website, Mountain Fresh Orchards is a family-owned orchard that offers freshly picked apples and many other fruits and vegetables.
- Where? 2887 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Owenby’s Fruit Stand offers cider, apples, pumpkins, peaches, jellies, vegetables, honey, preserves, sorghum molasses and more.
- Where? 4500 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
According to their website, Pilot Mountain Pears was founded in 1997 by David and Beth Laughter. Their 50 acre farm is nestled in Edneyville, NC, and is home to over 5000 Asian Pear trees (and, they have a bakery full of apple pies!)
- Where? Circe L Farm Drive, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
According to their website, Sky Top Orchard has been a family-owned & operated farm since 1967 when father and son duo Everette and David Butler planted the first trees on Mt. McAlpine, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Where? 1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road, Flat Rock
- What hours? Open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (open Labor Day Monday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
According to their website, Stepp’s offers u-pick for their apples, pumpkins, grapes and flowers!
Third generation co-owner Danielle Stepp McCall told 828newsNOW they’re prepared for the busy Labor Day weekend, but that they’re busiest time of year doesn’t even start until mid-September through October. She said thankfully, their crops were not hit by hail that swept through Apple Country this year.
- Where? 170 Stepp Orchard Drive, Hendersonville
- What hours? Open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. & Sundays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
According to the city’s website, Twisted Apple Orchard is Henderson County’s only natural grown apple orchard that is open to the public. Offering we-pick apples, seasonal fruits, baked goods, jellies, seasonal decor, gift items and more.
- Where? 4039 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville
- What hours? Check their Facebook page for hours
CLICK HERE to learn more about Hendersonville’s apple orchards and more.