Area orchards and cider mills open for the season

Area orchards and cider mills are open for the season. The following is a list of orchards and cider mills in Oakland County and nearby: 

Orchards and cider mills in Oakland County 

• Ashton Orchards, 3925 Seymour Lake Road, Ortonville, Closed.

• Blake’s Lyon Township, formerly Erwin’s Orchards & Cider Mill, 61475 Silver Lake Road, South Lyon, 248-437-0150, www.blakefarms.com - Farm Store is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. U-Pick is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, call for details. Call for Funland hours, prices vary.

• Diehl’s Orchard & Cider Mill, 1479 Ranch Road, Holly, 248-634-8981, www.diehlsorchard.com - Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, through Oct. 31. Later in season, open noon-5 p.m. weekends, Nov. 1-22. Pre-picked apples, cider mill, doughnuts, in season- pumpkin patch and corn maze through the season. Pumpkin patch opens late September. Ciderfest is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept 26-27. Hayrides and pony rides on weekends, Sept. 12-Oct. 18, weather permitting prices vary.

• Fogler’s Orchard & Farm Market, 3979 Rochester Road, (Rochester and Gunn Road), Rochester, 248-652-3614, foglersgreenhouse.com - Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 a.m. Sunday. Seasonal produce- apples, corn, tomatoes, peaches, melons, raspberries and pumpkins in season. Also Lake Orion market location at 559 S. Lapeer Road, is open 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily. 

• Franklin Cider Mill, 7450 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills, 248-626-8261, www.franklincidermill.com - Open 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., daily through Nov. 29, and open 8 a.m.-noon, Thanksgiving Day. Fresh cider, apples, doughnuts, fresh-baked breads, pies, and other treats, handicap accessible and pet-friendly for leashed dogs. Online ordering is available. Also the Apple Shack is open 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. with already picked apples by the half peck and bushel.

• Goodison Cider Mill, 4295 Orion Road, Rochester, 248-652-8450, goodisoncidermill.com, www.facebook.com/GoodisonCiderMill - Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, through October, then 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in November until Thanksgiving eve, and then open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday-Sunday in December and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Cider mill, pre-picked apples, caramel apples, doughnuts, pies and Pistachio Nut Bread. 

• Long Family Orchard Farm & Cider Mill, 1540 East Commerce Road, Commerce Township, 248-360-3774, longsorchard.com. The Cider Mill barn is open daily through Thanksgiving eve. Sweet corn, cider, donuts and fresh produce in season, apples available mid-September, credit card only. Fun Farm is open weekends, Sept.12-Nov. 1, purchase tickets on website.

• Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, Oakland Twp., Closed.

• Rochester Cider Mill, 5125 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 248-651-4224, www.rochestercidermill.com - Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, through the height of the season, hours vary later in the season through Dec. 31, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Cider mill, petting farm, doughnuts, pie, apples, and fresh produce. Cash or check only, www.facebook.com/RochesterCiderMill.

• Yates Cider Mill, 1950 E. Avon Road, Rochester Hills, 248-651-8300, yatescidermill.com - Cider mill is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, through the season. Cider, apple tent, doughnuts, fudge and ice cream. Yates at Canterbury Village, 2375 Joslyn Ct., Canterbury Village, Orion Twp. is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, with cider, doughnuts, ice cream, fudge and other food products.

Orchards and cider mills nearby 

• Big Red Apple Orchard, 4900 32-Mile Road, Washington Township, 586-752-7888, facebook.com/bigredorchard - Farm market open 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through the season, U-pick apples Thursday through Sunday, hours vary, cider and doughnuts, www.bigredorchard.com. The Legacy Bar & Restaurant is open 3-10 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. 

• Blake’s Big Apple Orchard at 71485 North Ave., Armada, 586-784-9710. Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill and Blake’s Hard Cider-Winery & Tasting Room are at 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, 586-784-5343, www.blakefarms.com. Seasonal U-pick is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through the season at Blake’s Big Apple and Blake’s Orchard. Orchard markets are open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Blake’s Funland is open for the season at Blake’s Cider Mill, visit the website for hours and tickets. Haunted Attractions are Friday-Sunday evenings, Sept. 12 through Nov. 1, at Blake’s Big Apple, purchase tickets online. Blake’s Backyard store is at 5590 Van Dyke, Almont, open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. 

• Hy’s Cider Mill, 6350 37 Mile Road, Bruce Township, 810-798-3611, facebook.com/hyscidermillMI - Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 12 through the season. U-Pick closes at 5 p.m.

• Mueller's Orchard and Cider Mill, 6036 Lobdell Road, Linden, 810-735-7676, muellersorchardandcidermill.com - Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through October, then 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 22, Cider, doughnuts, pre-picked apples.

• Parmenter’s Northville Cider Mill, 714 Baseline Road, Northville, 248-349-3181, northvillecider.com - Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, through the season. Cider mill, doughnuts, pies, pre-picked apples and other food products. Winery and brewery hours are 3-11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon-7 p.m. Sunday. 

• Historic Parshallville Cider Mill, 8507 Parshallville Road, Hartland Twp., 810-629-9079, https://parshallvillecidermill.com, Parshallville Cider Mill on Facebook. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, through the season. 

• Porter’s Orchard Farm Market & Cider Mill, 12060 E. Hegel Road, Goodrich, 810-636-7156, portersorchard.com - Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday to Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday through the season. Apples, cider, doughnuts, pies and food products. Starting in mid-September: hayrides, corn mazes, u-pick pumpkins.

• Spicer Orchards, 10411 Clyde Road, Fenton, 810-632-7692, www.spicerorchards.com - Orchard U-pick, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through the season. Farm market is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Winery is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. U-pick and already picked apples, u-pick raspberries, and other seasonal produce, ice cream, corn maze, playground.

• Stony Creek Orchard and Cider Mill, 2961 W. 32 Mile Road, Romeo, 586-752-2453, stonycreekorchard.com, find Stony Creek Orchard & Cider Mill on Facebook - Sales room is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, through the season. U-pick is open Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to last wagon at 5:15 p.m., through the season.

• Verellen Orchards, 63260 Van Dyke, Romeo, 586-752-2989, www.verellenorchards.com, facebook.com/VerellenOrchards - Open 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, and 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends, already picked apples, cider, and fresh produce in season. 

• Westview Orchards & Winery, 65075 Van Dyke (M-53), at 30 Mile Road, two miles south of Romeo, 586-752-3123, www.westvieworchards.com, facebook.com/WestviewOrchards - U-pick apples, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through season. Farm market is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m., daily through the season, with cider, doughnuts and produce. Schoolhouse Porch Winery is open noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Corn maze, u-pick apples, peaches, raspberries and vegetables in season.

Farmers markets opening in Oakland County, 2026

Birmingham Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, May 3, through Oct. 25 at Public Parking Lot 6 at 660 North Old Woodward Avenue in downtown Birmingham. On May 3, activities include live entertainment, kids’ crafts, and complimentary reusable tote bags (while supplies last). Parking is free on Sundays in public garages and at metered spaces, https://downtownbirmingham.com/visit/farmers-market.
Clarkston Area Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, June 13 to Oct. 10 in the front parking lot at the Clarkston Community Education Center, 6558 Waldon Road, Clarkston, clarkstonareafarmersmarket@gmail.com, clarkstonareafarmersmarket.com.
Clawson Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 16, June 13, June 27, July 11 and Aug. 15, at the intersection of 14 Mile & Main Street, downtown Clawson. Also 3-8 p.m. July 25, during Cinema in the Street, www.cityofclawson.com.
Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 2 through Nov. 7, at Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion, 33113 Grand River Ave., at Grove St., farmingtonfarmersmarket.com.
Fenton Farmers Market: 5-8 p.m. Thursdays, May 14 to Sept. 17, in front of the Fenton Community & Cultural Center, 150 S. Leroy St., Fenton, facebook.com/fentonmarket, slpr.net, pets are not allowed in market space.
Spicer Orchards: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, at 10411 Clyde, Fenton, 810-632-7692, spicerorchards.com.
Highland Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, July 11 to Oct. 3, at Highland Township Complex, 205 N. John St., Highland, www.facebook.com/HighlandFarmersMarketMichigan, www.highlandfarmmarket.com.
Holly Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, May 3 through Oct. 25, at Crapo Park, downtown Holly, hollyfarmersmarket.weebly.com, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568281307212.
Fogler's Greenhouse & Farm Market: Open daily, seasonally from spring to late fall, 559 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion, and 3979 Rochester Road, Rochester, foglersgreenhouse.com, 248-652-3614.Rochester market opened March 30 and Lake Orion market opened May 1.
Milford Farmers’ Market: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, May 7 to Oct. 8, (no market on July 2 or Aug. 6) at East Liberty Street between S. Main St. and Union St., in downtown Milford, fresh produce in season, live music, family activities, milfordfarmersmarket.org.
Northville Farmers’ Market: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, May 7 to Oct. 29 at 550 W Seven Mile Road, Northville, 248-349-7640, northville.org/farmers-market-vendors.
Oakland County Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, May 2 through December, summer market hours, (the market is open year-round on Saturdays) at 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Twp., email OCmarket@oakgov.com, 248-858-5495, www.facebook.com/OaklandCountyFarmersMarket.
Oak Park Farmers Market: Sneak Peak is 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park. The regular market hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, June 25-Nov. 19, next to Oak Park City Hall, 248-691-7555, oakparkmi.gov, www.facebook.com/opfarmersmarket.
Ortonville Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, June 13 to Sept. 26, downtown Ortonville, Market Info Booth, 476 Mill St., facebook.com/ortonvillefarmersmarket.
Davis Family Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 2 to Oct. 10, at Seymour Lake Township Park, 2795 Seymour Lake Road, Oxford, https://oxparkrec.org.
Downtown Oxford Open Air Summer Market: 4-7 p.m. June 18, July 16 and Aug. 13, at Washington Square, Oxford. (Also, Summer Concert series is 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays June 18-Aug. 13, excluding July 2), https://downtownoxford.info/events.
Harvest Time Farm Market: Open daily, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, at 1125 S Lapeer Road, Oxford, www.facebook.com/harvesttimefarmmarket, https://harvesttimeoxford.com. Retailer offering fresh produce and locally sourced goods.
Downtown Rochester Farmers' Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 2-Oct. 31, (closed July 4). The market will be moving back to its original location at the corner of E. Third and Water St., just one block east of Main Street, downtown Rochester. On opening day, free tote bags for the first 500 adult customers (also a giveaway for children, while supplies last), www.downtownrochestermi.com/farmers-market.
Royal Oak Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, year-round, and limited market is open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, May through November, 316 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak, 248-246-3276, romi.gov/farmersmarket. Antiques and Collectibles show is 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays. Sights & Sounds + Food Truck Rally is 4-9 p.m. May 13, at the market.
South Lyon Farmers and Artisans Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 2 through October, at the parking lots at Liberty and Lafayette, downtown South Lyon, 248-388-7404, www.facebook.com/SouthLyonFarmersandArtisansMarket.
Midweek Markets & Music: Troy Farmers Market to be held, 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays June 10-Sept. 30, and Summer Concerts are 7–8:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 10-Aug. 26, at Jeanne M. Stine Community Park, 241 Town Center Drive, Troy, troymi.gov/farmersmarket, www.facebook.com/TroyFarmMkt, visit the farmers market, then set up lawn chairs and blankets for free concerts from 7–8:30 p.m. at the Troy Community Foundation Performing Arts Stage.
Walled Lake Market Place: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, May 6 to October, at 1499 E. West Maple, Walled Lake, 248-624-4847, walledlake.us, www.facebook.com/WalledLakeMarketPlace.

It's strawberry season in Southeast Michigan

The short but sweet strawberry season has arrived in Southeast Michigan. The season usually lasts two-three weeks, dependent on the weather.

In addition to area farms and orchards, many farmers markets sell fresh strawberries. Customers are advised to check picking availability at farms, before going, and to follow COVID-19 safety measures such as social distancing.

Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, 586-784-5343, blakefarms.com.

CLOSED Middleton Berry Farm, 4888 Oakwood Road, Ortonville, www.middletonberryfarm.com,  www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064893062748.

Spicer Orchards, 10411 Clyde, Fenton. Open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, June through October, 810-632-7692 or www.spicerorchards.com, U-pick strawberries, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., while supplies last.

Verellen Orchards, 63260 Van Dyke Road, Washington Township. Call 586-752-2989 for picking availability. U-pick strawberries and cherries, while supplies last. Buy already picked apples, peaches and plums in season at roadside market. The picnic area has an old-fashioned train, www.verellen orchards.com.

Westview Orchards and Adventure Farm, 65075 Van Dyke Road, Washington Township. Call 586-752-3123 or visit www.westvieworchards.com. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for U-pick. The market is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. for already-picked strawberries in June; cherries and raspberries in late June through mid July; peaches in early August through Labor Day; apples in late August through end of October and pumpkins in late September through October.

Save the seeds for next year's garden

This year, I am looking at buying seeds from heirloom seed companies, rather than purchasing whatever is available at my local hardware store or greenhouse. Last year, when greenhouses were closed due to the governor's executive order, I bought seeds on Amazon, which I regretted. I received seeds from all over, including China. There was a story circulating about seeds being sent from China to people who didn't order them. I had actually ordered seeds from China, but I burned the seeds, just in case.

Google "mystery seeds from china" if you want more information.

This year, I'm planning to start with good seeds, and then harvest the seeds from the crops at the end of the season. I've done a little bit of it in the past, but want to make a deeper commitment to it, going forward.

There's a workshop about saving seeds, tomorrow.

The Lyon Township library is hosting a "A Seed Saver's Garden" workshop, at 6:30 p.m. EST, Monday, Feb. 1, via Zoom at  lyon.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/a-seed-savers-garden/

Here's the heirloom seed companies' websites where I will be shopping:

Seed Saver Exchange, www.seedsavers.org

Baker Creek, www.rareseeds.com

Gurney also has heirloom seeds, www.gurneys.com

Social distancing in the garden

We've had a fairly mild winter in Southeast Michigan, this year. I looked back at 2019, and my garden was still frozen, as of March 12.
When my husband saw that the ground wasn't frozen, he ran the rototiller through the garden and on March 7, we planted peas and spinach. Then last week, on March 15, we planted Swiss chard, carrots, radishes, green onions and scallions. I worry that we may have jumped the gun, since the past two nights' temperatures have been in the 20s, but it should be alright.
It's a great distraction to have a spot in the yard to dig around and plant vegetables during this time of seclusion due to the coronavirus outbreak. And it might reduce trips to the grocery store later.
We're planning to invest in a small greenhouse, to start more of our own plants from seed. It will be more work, but hopefully it will be worthwhile.

Our trusty rhubarb shoots have sprung up.
I'm looking forward to rhubarb bars and pie.

6 steps to starting plants indoors:
1. The best containers are wood pulp pots or peat pots. You can also use plastic cell containers with covers or egg cartons with holes poked in the bottom and saran wrap on top. (Or reuse the annual flats from last year.) Whatever you use, make sure it has drainage.
2. Fill with potting soil, preferably a mix with sphagnum peat moss. Moisten the soil.
3. Plant a few seeds, not many, about 1/8 inch deep and pat the soil lightly. Then cover with plastic and place in a very warm place, out of direct sunlight.
4. Keep watered. Once the seeds sprout, move the pots to a bright spot, a south-facing window is best. Water often, but not too much or too fast. The plants are fragile. If they get too big for their containers, move them to bigger pots.
5. When it gets close to planting time, it's time to harden them by placing them outside during the day, to get used to it, but not in direct sunlight at first. Bring them in every night.
6. When it's warm enough at night, transplant to the garden. Dig a hole slightly deeper than the pot and put the plant in, supporting it with your fingers. Firm the soil gently around the stem. Water carefully.
For tomatoes, it takes 6-8 weeks before they'll be ready to transplant outside. For Southeast Michigan, wait until Memorial Day to put tomatoes and peppers outside, because they are very frost sensitive and will grow much better when it's warmer at night. Occasionally, there is frost after Memorial Day, so watch the weather and cover plants when there's a frost forecast.
Southeast Michigan is mostly in Plant Hardiness Zone 5 with a few areas in Zone 6.

For more information, visit Burpee's guide to indoor seed starting, www.burpee.com/gardenadvicecenter/areas-of-interest/seed-starting/indoor-seed-starting/article10002.html

Garden is off to a late, but delicious start

It's been an odd year for gardening. Many plants got off to a late start, due to the cool wet spring. I planted beans FOUR times. We planted late, May 25, because we were out of town at the usual mid-May planting time. I think those seeds rotted, due to the continual rain in May and early June. So I planted again, and the same thing happened. Then, I was out of new seeds, so I planted some old seeds from several years ago, and they were duds. I gave up and went back to the store and bought some more seeds and they have sprouted and look like they're going to grow.

On the other hand, the lettuce, Swiss chard and the rest of the greens are coming along very well.
I have to brag about the seed variety, Burpee White Paris Romaine lettuce. I don't usually look forward to eating a salad, but this variety is delicious and the plants are healthy and productive. The weather definitely helped, as the conditions were optimal for green leafy vegetables.
We also had a healthy crop of spinach, and we're picking Swiss chard, carrots, green onions, parsley and broccoli. (We bought broccoli transplants). We were going to redo our raised bed garden, but haven't yet, and now there is volunteer dill and cilantro coming up. I didn't realize that cilantro is much like a weed. I've found it growing on the lawn. But that is a good thing at my house.
Everybody I've talked to has had a good garden this year. But the cold wet spring has adversely affected the real farmers who grow soybean and corn, because they couldn't get in the fields to plant the seeds early enough.

Growing herbs in the kitchen

On the left: Watex Plant Garden Desktop Kitchen Farm

My wonderful daughters bought me the Watex Plant Garden Desktop Kitchen Farm for my birthday present. They know how many times I've burnt dinner, running out to the garden to cut herbs for a meal, haha. But seriously, I have made some "farmer brown" meals, (to quote neighbor Bill), by going to the garden in the middle of preparing dinner. Often I set out to simply pick an herb to add to the meal.

Now, if all goes well, I will have herbs right on my kitchen counter.

The plastic structure has eight slots for the eight planters. There is a hole at the top to pour water into, and my daughters had me pour water in, to see how fast it went through. That was a good idea, because I saw that the water stopped half way up the side of the planter, and then the rest of the water goes through to a tray at the bottom.

My daughters also sent seeds, but after the experiment, I see that the apparatus would not allow water to make it to the top of the planters where the seeds are starting. So I am starting the seeds in the planters, in a tub, and when they have roots, I'll move to the Desktop Kitchen.

I'm not sure how well this will work, but it's tidy, compact and it might keep me from burning dinner.

For more information, visit watexgreenliving.com.

I emailed Watex customer service to ask for instructions, because 

this is all that came with the package.