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Fun Facts About Virginia Apples
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Warm days, cool nights
and a rich deep soil nurtured by consistent rainfall makes Virginia's climate ideal for growing many apple varieties.
An average of 5-6 billion
bushels of apples are produced annually by Virginia growers. American apple growers produce over 255 million bushels annually, which equals just over one bushel of apples per person in the United States.
Virginia apples are
grown in over 100 commercial orchards, totaling more than 16,000 acres of land.
Virginia apple growers
produce many popular varieties including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome, Stayman, Gala, Winesap, York, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Fuji and Ginger Gold.
Virginia's apple harvest
begins in July and extends through early November. Majority of Virginia apples are harvested in September, October and early November.
Virginia apple varieties
require 90 to 175 growing days from spring bloom to Fall harvest.
Virginia apple country
includes the mountainous region of the northern Shenandoah Valley through the Roanoke Valley, the rich countryside of Albermarle and Rappahannock counties and the southwest counties of Patrick and Carroll. The majority of apples trees are grown in the Shenandoah Valley.
With the use of
Controlled Atmosphere Storage, or CA, apples are placed in airtight warehouses where the climate is maintained to delay further ripening.
From 1992 to 1997
over 1,880,000 new apple trees were planted in Virginia orchards.
Depending on the type
of root stock, 100 to 500 apple trees are planted to the acre.
In Virginia,
the estimated commercial apple yield per acre is 700 bushels.
Virginia apples are destined
for markets in 15 states and more than 20 countries.
The Virginia apple industry
contributes an estimated $235 million annually to the state's economy.
Seventy percent of Virginia
Virginia apples are sold for processing and made into popular products such as applesauce, apple juice, apple butter, slices and cider.
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