Market Hours
Open August 14, 2010
August - Sept.
Closed Mondays
Tues - Sun 11 - 6 pm
October
Open everyday,
11-6 p.m.
Tours offered
9 a.m. on
Location:
4344 - 13 Mile Road
Sparta, Michigan 49345
Phone:
616-887-2404
Directions:
Take 13 Mile Road ½ mile W. of Fruit Ridge, or 2.3 miles W. of M-37 at Sparta
Map:
Click here for a map to Steffens Orchard Market
Featured Items
Peaches are still available for a few more days but will soon end. Blueberries are done. Paula Red apples are in the market. U-Pick Paula's are done. W now have Golden Supreme, Gala, and Honeycrisp in the market. U-Pick Honeycrisp is NOT ready yet but probably soon. McIntosh (we pick) will be available this weekend..
Come and meet "Peaches," our Golden Retriever puppy. You will love "Peaches."
Sparta Festival
The Sparta "Harvest on the Ridge Apple Festival", was a great success in 2009 and 2010 will be even better. You can download the 2010 schedule of events and scarecrow contest rules at www.spartachamber.com . We will also have the contest rules available at the market.
Put Sept. 24-25 on your calendar and consider entering the scarecrow contest.
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Apple Recommendations |
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Here is a list of apples we grow and recommended uses:
Click here for photos of the apple varieties
Note: E = Excellent; G = Good; N = Not Recommended
| Variety |
Texture - Flavor |
Available |
Eating |
Baking |
Sauce |
Freezing |
| Paulared |
Tart, Great for school lunch & early baking |
Mid-Aug. |
E |
G |
G |
N |
| Ginger Gold |
Sweet/Tart, crisp, juicy |
Mid-Aug. |
E |
G |
G |
N |
| Golden Supreme |
Sweet, similar to Golden Delicious |
Late Aug. |
E |
E |
E |
E |
| Gala |
Light texture, sweet |
Early Sept. |
E |
G |
E |
E |
| McIntosh |
Lightly tart, eating, sauce & cider |
Early Sept. |
E |
N |
E |
G |
| Cortland |
Sweet, Excellent for sauce & pie |
Mid-Sept. |
E |
E |
E |
G |
| Honey Crisp |
Sweet, very crisp, great bite, fresh, salad |
Mid-Sept. |
E |
E |
E |
E |
| Empire |
Sweet/Tart, Extra crisp |
Mid-Sept. |
E |
G |
G |
G |
| Jonathan |
Moderately tart, Good for most uses |
Mid-Sept. |
G |
E |
G |
G |
| Jonagold |
Blend of tart Jonathan & sweet Golden |
Late Sept. |
E |
E |
E |
G |
| Early Fuji |
Sweet, crisp, all purpose, hard, stores well |
Late Sept. |
E |
G |
G |
E |
| Golden Delicious |
Sweet & mellow, Excellent for all uses |
Late Sept. |
E |
E |
E |
E |
| Red Delicious |
Tender juicy. Best for eating out of hand |
Late Sept. |
E |
N |
N |
N |
| Ida Red |
Slightly tart and juicy |
Early Oct. |
G |
E |
E |
G |
| Northern Spy |
Tart, Best pie or sauce apple, antique apple |
Early Oct. |
G |
E |
E |
E |
| Rome Beauty |
Firm, slightly tart. Excellent baking |
Mid Oct. |
G |
E |
E |
G |
| Fuji |
Sweet, crisp, all purpose, hard, stores well |
Late Oct. |
E |
G |
G |
E |
| Braeburn |
Sweet & tart, Firm, crisp and juicy |
Late Oct. |
E |
G |
G |
G |
YIELD OF APPLES
1 pound of apples 3 medium-sized apples.
4 cups peeled, cored slices.
2 1/2 to 3 pounds 2 pints frozen apple slices
2 1/2 to 3 pounds 2 pints canned (slices or apple sauce)
13 1/2 pounds canner load of 9 pints
21 pounds canner load of 7 quarts
1 bushel (48 pounds) 14-19 quarts of sauce
(Plan on 6 - 8 medium-sized apples for a 9 inch pie.)
Store apples in the refrigerator in a plastic bag with holes poked for ventilation, or in the crisper drawer to help retain moisture.
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Apples
Eating U-Pick*
- Paulared*
- Gingergold
- Golden Supreme
- Gala*
- Honey Crisp*
- Red Delicious*
- Fuji*
- Braeburn
- Cameo*
Baking
- Cortland*
- Jonathan*
- Jonagold*
Applesauce
- Rome Beauty*
- Northern Spy
- Idared*
- Golden Delicious*
- McIntosh
Pies
- Golden Supreme
- Cortland*
- Jonathan*
- Idared*
- Northern Spy
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