Report by Paula Antolini
September 28, 2018 3:37PM EDT
Bethel’s Blue Jay Orchards Apple Picking Weekend and Orchard Wagon Rides Begin Sept. 29-30
Pick your own apples starting this weekend, September 29th-30th, at Blue Jay Orchards, 125 Plumtrees Rd., Bethel CT. Open everyday, 9am to 5:30pm. No pets allowed.
They will have: Macintosh, Cortland, Macoun, Stayman, Winesap, Red Delicious and Jonagold.
Scenic orchard wagon rides Saturday and Sunday only, 10am to 5pm.
Plenty of pumpkins in the Blue Jay Orchards patch.
Sorry no pets allowed in the orchards or at the farm market in accordance with their insurance company and Federal Good Agricultural Practices.
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PUMPKIN PATCH (Pumpkins and Gourds)
Blue Jay must grow their pumpkins at another location because even with 120 acres they don’t have enough open space to produce all the pumpkins that they sell during the fall.
Their pumpkins are harvested and brought to Blue Jay and placed in their patch assuring you a great pumpkin for the fall.
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THE FARM MARKET
The Farm Market at Blue Jay Orchards is a must visit when coming to Pick Your Own apples or pumpkins.
The large store is home to their bakery, where they create those delicious apple and fruit pies, pastries, and cookies. The market has a large selection of jams, jellies, sauces and fruit butters. Many items can only be found in the market.
The two biggest selling item are Apple Cider and their famous Apple Cider Donuts.
Local honey made from the bees that pollinate their apple trees is available to help with allergy season, along with adding sweetness to many recipes.
Maple syrup and maple sugar candy are other popular items that can be found on the market shelves.
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BAKERY:
Close your eyes and the tantalizing aroma could almost transport you back to Grandma’s kitchen. What you’re imagining is the artistry of the Blue Jay Orchards bakers, who regularly transform natural, wholesome ingredients into the best tasting home-baked pies – the kind lovingly made from recipes passed from generation to generation. Our baked goods are so special that they’ll become a part of your family’s traditions.
Purchase some of Blue Jay Farm’s famous apple cider donuts. Their fresh baked pies are also a customer favorite. This year they are introducing some exciting cookies turnovers, muffins and dumplings. There are new pie flavors in their pie freezer including broccoli/cheese, spinach, potato and potato pea.
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Pick Your Own:
SEPT 29-30 JONAGOLD, IDA RED, STAYMAN, CORTLAND MACOUN
OCT 6-7-8 JONAGOLD ,RED DEL. IDA RED MUTSU FUGI EMPIRE
OCT 14-15 IDA RED MUTSU JONAGOLD FUGI
OCT 21-22 GRANNY SMITH , BRAEBURN ,
OCT 28-29 GRANNY SMITH BRAEBURN
Varieties may carry over to the following weeks depending on weather and amount of people who visit each weekend.
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Blue Jay Farm History:
Blue Jay Orchards is a picturesque 140 acre farm nestled in Bethel, Connecticut. The farm’s history as a modern orchard dates back to 1934 when Mr. Josephy brought a farm house and land Over the next 50 years the farm expanded from 50 acres to it’s current size 122 acres. Mr. Josephy owned the farm until its sale to the present owners, Paul and Mary Patterson, in 1985. A large part of the Patterson’s satisfaction with purchasing Blue Jay Orchards was that they were playing a part in preserving the farm for future generations to enjoy.
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BLUE JAY ORCHARDS
125 Plumtrees Rd., Bethel CT
(203) 748-0119
STORE HOURS:
OPEN EVERYDAY
9AM TO 5:30 PM
NO PETS ALLOWED
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