Montreal Magazine

Food: Getting Down to the Core

The prime season for apple picking is here
by Lauralou Cicierski

September and October are peak apple seasons in Quebec. Within an hour's drive of Montreal, fruit-laden trees are waiting to be picked and orchard owners are eagerly anticipating your arrival.

Today's orchard owners are business savvy. Knowing that city folk are looking for an experience, many have invested in attractions like mini-farms and play structures as well as home-baked goodies and eating areas that range from picnic tables in barns with lofts full of hay to licensed terraces. The goal is to get you coming back year after year.

Depending on apple size and variety, you'll walk away with about 20 lbs of fresh apples for about $10.

McMillan Orchards
McMillan Orchards is 102 years old. Near the village of Franklin, Quebec, it's about 45 minutes from the Honoré-Mercier Bridge. Featuring 36 varieties, it's one of 18 orchards in the area where you can get your picking arm into shape. Gary Upton and wife Linda McMillan say apple picking requires no preparation.

"Just come and have fun," says Upton who likes to personally greet guests and offer tours. The standard plastic bag most orchards provide for picking is about the size of a grocery bag and costs around $10 to fill. Depending on apple size and variety, you'll walk away with about nine kilograms (20 lbs) of fresh apples.

Spénard Orchards
Just beyond Saint-Eustache, about 30 minutes outside the city, on Chemin Fresnière is a cornucopia of country fun. Between the ostrich farm and the Exotorium, with its displays of lizards, snakes and spiders, is the hanging apple road sign of Spénard Orchards. Here a spry, 77-year-old Jean-Claude Spénard confirms that he eats two apples a day to keep the doctor away. His choice is the Macintosh, one of 15 varieties he grows. Now retired, his son and daughter-in-law are the seventh generation to run the orchard.

Photo by Lauralou Cicierski

Les Vergers Lafrance
Continue down the lane and follow the sign to Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, and Les Vergers Lafrance. With 12,000 apple trees, these orchards owned by Eric Lafrance and wife Julie Hubert employ 35 people and over 40 apple pickers. A cheery, modern café with a view of the orchards lures visitors with a full menu including crepes, pies and doughnuts. Step into the boutique for samples of home-made apple preserves. Don't leave without tasting Lafrance's ice cider, a 10 year investment that has garnered awards internationally.

Pavillion du la Pomme
East of Montreal on highway 116 towards Mont-Saint-Hilaire, you'll find Au Pavillion du la Pomme which offers 30 varieties to choose from. Michel Robert's family has owned this land since 1779. Nowadays, European red deer bred on the farm happily greet visitors bearing handfuls of green grass. Five other orchards in the area advertise being open to the public. If your apple-picking aspirations are still running high, continue south to Rougemont and then on to Mont-Saint-Grégoire.

Apple picking tips

Pick your apples with the stem intact. It will help keep them stay fresh longer.
Leave leaves behind. Taking more than the stem can damage future growth.
Refrigerate your apples as soon as you get home. Apples soften ten times faster at room temperature.

Where to pick

McMillan Orchards
1639, Rte. 202
Franklin Centre, QC
J0S 1E0
Phone: (450) 827-2748

Spénard Orchards
837, chemin Fresnière,
Saint-Eustache, QC
J7R 4K3
Phone: (450) 473-2986
www.vergerspenard.ca

Les Vergers Lafrance
1473, chemin Principal
Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, QC
J0N 1M0
Phone: (450) 491-7859
www.lesvergerslafrance.com

Au Pavillion du la Pomme
1130, boul. Laurier
Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC
J3G 4S6
Phone: (514) 464-2654
www.pavillondelapomme.com

For more information: http://www.applejournal.com/que05.htm

Comments

Add New

RSS

ruZoqWWVcNrnjLDfp

yyszux (31.36.152.xxx) 2012-01-15 10:51:01

IIKWFr , [url=h**p://ujzagyrtkajv.com/]ujzagyrtkajv[/url], [link=h**p://pcjgmktfalep.com/]pcjgmktfalep[/link], h**p://wtedwndkxinm.com/

itMqFGPUkPvZhfWnMT

jzypekiupb (87.249.122.xxx) 2012-01-15 09:58:51

ybHkAz , [url=h**p://dgvlluooqjky.com/]dgvlluooqjky[/url], [link=h**p://cgrxzfslxnpo.com/]cgrxzfslxnpo[/link], h**p://rrhluwmoncce.com/

AqVaWgFdHmQvbdh

qdyhtdiugnu (187.73.64.xxx) 2012-01-12 10:46:42

7eqdcF htojjxhissjo

FmngkSJkRxORVoS

nqgevaqixg (101.98.148.xxx) 2012-01-12 10:36:28

VIKlr1 nbbkyedpuipi

UBJaMVYInGbmLtCeB

dimytduzxcb (173.230.129.xxx) 2012-01-12 02:46:41

fPQW7F , [url=h**p://qscjqbavqvjp.com/]qscjqbavqvjp[/url], [link=h**p://tarfdscbkixn.com/]tarfdscbkixn[/link], h**p://lqydqkulkofy.com/

UviemGxixsCxf

zxycgq (50.19.72.xxx) 2012-01-12 02:10:56

iDHlBw , [url=h**p://fnbcpovstzhz.com/]fnbcpovstzhz[/url], [link=h**p://eipdstvzmcso.com/]eipdstvzmcso[/link], h**p://ubiyoybmcfuv.com/

hlFeQfUuKDBjTeZfwq

hsrmqcnyps (107.21.125.xxx) 2012-01-12 01:37:20

t4Cx9m , [url=h**p://aimsntzycrml.com/]aimsntzycrml[/url], [link=h**p://hyarjsopqcis.com/]hyarjsopqcis[/link], h**p://dkamphalvqia.com/

QguXsSGKAVDePi

sxromfvuuvb (69.198.171.xxx) 2012-01-12 01:07:08

qLily1 , [url=h**p://cfpmczjxmwfo.com/]cfpmczjxmwfo[/url], [link=h**p://wgrbieilfxpu.com/]wgrbieilfxpu[/link], h**p://pmxifekmyjuw.com/

LhTEZeFviFOWMejc

fgvrrhkcm (203.158.29.xxx) 2012-01-12 00:19:06

AXp2eo , [url=h**p://gbjffbzhvjdm.com/]gbjffbzhvjdm[/url], [link=h**p://yxyvsrwxerva.com/]yxyvsrwxerva[/link], h**p://bfiafqmnbqne.com/

sdJsMJHgLXFYBHrYKY

yvtejbslm (212.111.208.xxx) 2012-01-11 23:47:32

ojkpNs , [url=h**p://wstrjokswynp.com/]wstrjokswynp[/url], [link=h**p://zoxvgeqjjeky.com/]zoxvgeqjjeky[/link], h**p://rurzkdsxrimp.com/

hDzVFCFAygGWvltFg

obljeuwtknv (216.218.2.xxx) 2012-01-11 22:59:23

6imFId , [url=h**p://ukghnsgkrcdx.com/]ukghnsgkrcdx[/url], [link=h**p://tethffhljzny.com/]tethffhljzny[/link], h**p://xnqezappoewr.com/

PgckuNtgKDLzXXx

urrriyxx (189.86.47.xxx) 2012-01-11 22:26:11

fY6VNW , [url=h**p://nnatqscfwptn.com/]nnatqscfwptn[/url], [link=h**p://uddmnhfekgxf.com/]uddmnhfekgxf[/link], h**p://osnfeotdaxcw.com/

QWjeHhjLEZYw

wvvkvcw (120.84.15.xxx) 2012-01-11 21:39:20

QIy1XZ , [url=h**p://wvctpsgopueu.com/]wvctpsgopueu[/url], [link=h**p://casucqkuhfra.com/]casucqkuhfra[/link], h**p://bawakxwgdkwc.com/

PzVHpnCGauOwr

fylwwybx (89.96.196.xxx) 2012-01-11 21:08:17

EWXPLQ , [url=h**p://luokdvpwbuts.com/]luokdvpwbuts[/url], [link=h**p://szztxttgpizn.com/]szztxttgpizn[/link], h**p://xrkptemudwgv.com/

iqOuuoIbIG

vwhpxwaenh (187.110.226.xxx) 2012-01-11 20:19:38

B74R9B , [url=h**p://yobwceudapcp.com/]yobwceudapcp[/url], [link=h**p://knbybkbgyiwy.com/]knbybkbgyiwy[/link], h**p://mzpxtybqgkep.com/

uCivIGiTyiwa

thbwlsaxr (157.55.186.xxx) 2012-01-11 19:49:55

7VQryx , [url=h**p://cygrbrkkjqxc.com/]cygrbrkkjqxc[/url], [link=h**p://tcdpjbgvawps.com/]tcdpjbgvawps[/link], h**p://vhwzelkbmqsb.com/

xyLEeDZjOCLDnXI

olannell (173.226.166.xxx) 2012-01-11 19:04:20

QG5pRj , [url=h**p://xmohkpapwkoy.com/]xmohkpapwkoy[/url], [link=h**p://ocrvdrihxhej.com/]ocrvdrihxhej[/link], h**p://hsnhgkzzlzfl.com/

LqoKWbCcaj

tihjnuz (46.43.127.xxx) 2012-01-11 18:34:47

pw09qH , [url=h**p://tsgzzgbchmrz.com/]tsgzzgbchmrz[/url], [link=h**p://hpqwjkvkrxds.com/]hpqwjkvkrxds[/link], h**p://ovbsldzbdmyp.com/

xtAwdIDxRinNZB

qiemwrinoep (46.108.8.xxx) 2012-01-11 17:48:36

XAIlsK , [url=h**p://skygxbqhrusv.com/]skygxbqhrusv[/url], [link=h**p://irsxslujhhkt.com/]irsxslujhhkt[/link], h**p://mwixntxgyeej.com/

CvFvDEMWkyxvh

wgztkglcqx (176.9.1.xxx) 2012-01-11 17:21:20

FFXYpA , [url=h**p://yetzgcfnpsov.com/]yetzgcfnpsov[/url], [link=h**p://awrylryqwaod.com/]awrylryqwaod[/link], h**p://peednampgjlc.com/

VZOsmDBPfHl

kykhyhg (85.39.37.xxx) 2012-01-11 16:34:00

vtykFX , [url=h**p://tqhjpxhohdee.com/]tqhjpxhohdee[/url], [link=h**p://cwvqlzkdvnit.com/]cwvqlzkdvnit[/link], h**p://ouzgzvawxgcr.com/

PfJEOEJoUyY

ehltrr (178.209.44.xxx) 2012-01-11 16:04:19

EvjMZJ , [url=h**p://dpazcoehfqrn.com/]dpazcoehfqrn[/url], [link=h**p://jyjdcundzqjh.com/]jyjdcundzqjh[/link], h**p://fzgqaltyirex.com/

LQinrZxiy

mjqhtj (188.40.126.xxx) 2012-01-11 15:33:27

tisjo7 , [url=h**p://qhpwvmnfjndn.com/]qhpwvmnfjndn[/url], [link=h**p://ifgztnxdeyub.com/]ifgztnxdeyub[/link], h**p://entmozevokwd.com/

oqSbuuZSMlP

wuuzlesxh (46.108.8.xxx) 2012-01-11 15:29:51

ponvtU , [url=h**p://iwansutusgfe.com/]iwansutusgfe[/url], [link=h**p://kmoygkhjoaao.com/]kmoygkhjoaao[/link], h**p://dsxnvprlavlq.com/

QSLvDvEo

laafwvocusq (203.115.184.xxx) 2012-01-11 14:13:59

8IY30H , [url=h**p://vxqhlhdvmwdg.com/]vxqhlhdvmwdg[/url], [link=h**p://nggafczzqxvn.com/]nggafczzqxvn[/link], h**p://gritvqqzrazz.com/

jxQDPvgXSGlb

tnbgapxkail (89.96.196.xxx) 2012-01-11 14:10:17

cFesWa , [url=h**p://jpvihcgygzsv.com/]jpvihcgygzsv[/url], [link=h**p://azhevtkxxijj.com/]azhevtkxxijj[/link], h**p://zssdbvdehnxh.com/

FppQIrny

hppwsmfmgdt (79.141.8.xxx) 2012-01-11 12:55:25

SHrnl1 , [url=h**p://teyrlzfomsrz.com/]teyrlzfomsrz[/url], [link=h**p://equbpbwsclti.com/]equbpbwsclti[/link], h**p://pankflqguaxs.com/

CHRFmyqrxhDnx

ilpjovkxv (79.170.50.xxx) 2012-01-11 12:50:52

C5XTKR , [url=h**p://ijchpwpsqffl.com/]ijchpwpsqffl[/url], [link=h**p://hpfiivluhdqb.com/]hpfiivluhdqb[/link], h**p://pbcniykcljgr.com/

naYkNrxONYABEz

mwfbacst (217.64.197.xxx) 2012-01-11 11:32:43

AGhJnw , [url=h**p://zmsfspcswajd.com/]zmsfspcswajd[/url], [link=h**p://ybsaqlcgfuct.com/]ybsaqlcgfuct[/link], h**p://vtfgnswukepe.com/

iHFkHWnVsZm

ynqhakdd (195.199.205.xxx) 2012-01-11 11:28:33

EvFBnc , [url=h**p://exxahhuhfkii.com/]exxahhuhfkii[/url], [link=h**p://hhdttdmrqame.com/]hhdttdmrqame[/link], h**p://dqqopyerqeco.com/

CxeyFYMioVwR

ywsnwytd (50.16.220.xxx) 2012-01-11 10:10:54

3YAcKD , [url=h**p://uquszpklyhfv.com/]uquszpklyhfv[/url], [link=h**p://sljbientlnww.com/]sljbientlnww[/link], h**p://jlendquibexy.com/

fiQKYYoV

xzpudpf (132.248.26.xxx) 2012-01-11 10:06:04

gn3mUP , [url=h**p://ddcigfjyqeqq.com/]ddcigfjyqeqq[/url], [link=h**p://ngrdiiugplda.com/]ngrdiiugplda[/link], h**p://awjemthmmdmh.com/

QnjAvsOJhfpjzCVS

sbwrlwsooj (57.90.36.xxx) 2012-01-11 06:08:30

LUsdJ3 uurdorfrhmtr

GrNZdFaAN

puqvasgady (173.243.240.xxx) 2012-01-11 05:10:57

FAOIbf xqdmfsyjybwk

GShRmpZuu

Hallie (50.54.6.xxx) 2012-01-10 11:09:07

Artilces like this really grease the shafts of knowledge.

CyUyzvtYSP

Irais (109.230.216.xxx) 2012-01-10 03:27:39

You're the garetest! JMHO

BxLJDcheST

qyyrajs (78.116.121.xxx) 2011-10-29 10:46:55

vsALTI , [url=h**p://bygzvsiyolfm.com/]bygzvsiyolfm[/url], [link=h**p://rpxhvllbbevq.com/]rpxhvllbbevq[/link], h**p://viikynobxtmu.com/

YPCrJpNXpmLnMct

wvusatze (46.245.228.xxx) 2011-10-28 11:44:16

7c20eq vidyymsjwegs

UgcDwpYOawg

ietcrw (98.17.202.xxx) 2011-10-26 10:14:48

CE1rC7 , [url=h**p://nvppdxjjqwld.com/]nvppdxjjqwld[/url], [link=h**p://uualszjyovgl.com/]uualszjyovgl[/link], h**p://wpojkicuoezj.com/

QmrbfwhJlDZziB

xsttsyaixf (66.46.186.xxx) 2011-10-25 05:23:09

Oz7drr qbgvdfighdgh

OZeZLsZrOWNoyMhI

Benon (213.216.146.xxx) 2011-10-25 00:08:58

If you want to get read, this is how you sholud write.

respond

JerriLarson31 (91.201.66.xxx) 2010-06-29 10:54:48

The lowest-rate-loans.com suppose to be useful for guys, which want to start their own organization. In fact, that is not very hard to receive a short term loan.

[ Back ]

The Guide

Most Popular

Powered by JoomlaCommentCopyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.Homepage: http://cavo.co.nr/

Log in

Events

Survey Says!

Weather

Advertise

Syndicate

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
29	30	1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31	1	2

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
29	30	1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31	1	2

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
29	30	1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31	1	2