Organic apples at Avalon Apple Orchards
by Michelle Minnoch

In 1988, Gaye Trombley bought 120 acres of property in Innisfil just off of the 5th Line. The property, entirely covered in corn fields, came into shape due to the hard work of Gaye and her family and friends. Planting 700 apple trees on the property, even before the house was built, Avalon Orchards, a sustainable organic business, was starting to grow.

When the first crop came to in 1995, Gaye opened Avalon on the weekends, selling pre-picked apples. Between 1995 and 1999, she sold her product wholesale in Toronto. A year later, she decided to expand the operation into a pick your own apple orchard.

Gaye said the reasons waiting for 11 years for the expansion of the business into the pick your own were two fold. The first, and most obvious, was that the orchard was young and needed time to grow. The second was that there was a higher awareness and appreciation for an organic apple orchard.

"I intended to have a sustainable organic operation from the start," she said.

With an organic operation, she said the trees have a natural resistance to a lot of diseases.

"There are also not a lot of pick you own organic apple orchards around."

On the property, Avalon Orchards boasts two beautiful natural walking trails. Guests are encouraged not only to use the trails for walking, but to bring along a picnic as well.

Avalon also sells certified organic pasteurized apple cider. The cider is made from freshly picked apples and is made on the orchard property. The store also sells fresh baked goods.

Avalon Orchards is open from the last week in August until the weekend after Thanksgiving in October. On Thanksgiving weekend, there are free pony and wagon ride for all to enjoy. The wagon rides take visitors around the grounds of the orchards.

Avalon Orchards is located at 3150, 5th Line.
    Freedom - This apple has a unique spicy flavour and is     excellent.                                                                               September. This red-orange apple has an exceptional pear
orangish red in colour. Ripening in late September, it is         Novamac - This apple, like McIntosh, but has a firmer     taste and is great for eating and making apple cider.
good for eating and for pies.                                                   texture. This apple ripens during the second week in         Priscilla - This apple is ready near the end of September.
    Goldrush - This is a new variety to Avalon Orchards.     September.                                                                             This small and sweet apple is a favourite of he kids who
Ripening in October, this green apple is not so much green         Novaspy - A popular choice of those visiting Avalon,     come to Avalon.
in colour, but yellow-bronze. This apple is great for eating     this apple ripens in October. The Novaspy is a variety of the         Pristine - This is another new variety of apple to the
and great for storing.                                                             Red Spy and is smaller than the Northern Spy. This apple is     orchard. A yellow apple, comparable to the Transparent, it
    Liberty - This is one of Avalon's most popular apples.     great for eating and for processing.                                         has a gentle flavour and a smooth skin.
This dark red apple ripens in September and the flavour is         Prima - This apple is available the first week of         Redfree - This deep red apple ripens in late August. An
                                                            Types   of   apples   available   at   Avalon