When Does Your Apple Season START?
Apple harvest typically begins in the second or third week of August. At this point, you can find early varieties such as Ginger Gold and Gala. For more apple variety availability information, view our Seasonality Chart
When Does Your Apple Season END?
Late Fuji, Albemarle Pippin, and Pink Lady wrap up the harvest season by the third week of November. We usually have apples available for sale until early March.
What apple varieties are currently available?
View our Seasonality Chart
Can We Visit Your Facility?
During the season, Shenandoah Valley Orchards operates a fruit stand adjacent to the packing house for individual consumers to pick up fresh fruit. An Apple of the Month Club membership also entitles you to a monthly box of hand packed apples. Finally, we are glad to host tours for commercial buyers and wholesalers. Regrettably, we are unable to host school tours.
What Grades Of Fruit Do You Sell?
We sell U.S. Extra Fancy, U.S. Fancy, and U.S. #1 grades. Gift boxes are always packed with top grade apples.
How Many Varieties Of Apples Do You Grow?
We currently grow about 20 varieties of apples, of which, 15 are solely for fresh consumption. Please see the product, which describes the origin, characteristics, and general availability of each type of apple available to the public.
What Sizes Of Apples Do You Grow?
The size, weight and overall dimensions of an apple varies by variety and seasonal growing conditions. The following chart presents the range of sizes. The bulk of our sizes, on average, run from 72 through 138 (3 ½ inches diameter to 2 ¾ inches). Some varieties like the Pink Lady run smaller, while some like the Fuji run larger.
How Are Your Apples Packaged?
For our club and gift orders, we ship in 7-, 10-, and 20-pound boxes using tray packs and a special cellophane wrapper that prevents apples from shifting during shipment. For large commercial orders we ship in Euro (half cartons), Standard Tray Packs (40 to 42 pounds net - 18kg) and Heavy-pack Tray Packs (44 to 45 pounds net - 20kg).Â
How Should Apples Be Stored?
To maintain freshness and crispness, apples should be kept at 32 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Your garage or cellar might feel cool enough, but a refrigerator is the best option for storage. We ship our apples to commercial buyers in refrigerated container trucks.
Are Your Apples Waxed Or Shellacked?
We use both carnauba wax and shellac. Carnauba wax is used the majority of the time. It is used throughout the food industry and is a natural product. It also helps to prolong the life of the apple and protect it during shipping.