Virginian-Pilot


DATE: Tuesday, September 23, 1997           TAG: 9709200073

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY KRYS STEFANSKY, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   76 lines




A FINE DAY IN AN APPLE ORCHARD 'TIS THE SEASON: THEY'RE RIPE FOR THE PICKING

PLONK, PLONK, PLONK. Emma took the apples I handed her and dropped them into the basket.

Plonk, plonk, plo . . .

``Mom,'' she sighed, ``this one is too beautiful to eat.''

In her little hand she held up a perfect specimen, blush red on one side, golden on the other, a few leaves still attached to the stem. A gorgeous Gala apple.

Definitely too beautiful to eat.

When we were done, she gave it a place of honor on the pile in her basket.

Going to Martin Orchard and Vineyards is a fall tradition with us. When nights get a little chilly, when we switch from short-sleeved pajamas to long, it's time to go pick apples and make a pie.

Dad drove us south on Princess Anne Road, as far south as you can go in Virginia Beach, then onto Knotts Island, N.C. We counted turtles as we crossed the causeway and turned down the dirt lane to the Martin farm. Past the brick entrance, along the stretch of white board fence, we rolled down the windows and breathed in the apple fragrance.

Someone in the Martin family always mans a fruit stand beside the house. That's where you check in, get your picking basket and directions into the orchard.

Apples are about two weeks behind this year because of the cold spring we had. Galas were ready - a crisp apple good for eating and good for cooking, too.

We drove our car right into the orchard. The Martins leave a few wooden stepladders standing between the trees so you can reach those elusive high apples that always look better than the lower ones. Emma's dad went up the ladder into the branches heavy with fruit. We stayed on the ground and picked while bees buzzed around us and flies zipped past in the breeze.

The Martins say their apple picking season will last until the end of October. Gala, Donny-gold and Braeburn apples are ready now. Fuji, Mutsu, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious will ripen next. They also have scuppernong grapes ready to pick.

We picked only about 10 minutes and had plenty for us and to share with a few friends. On the way out, we admired the plump, black Merlot grapes still hanging on the vine and covered with netting to keep them from the birds. The winery on the property is open for tastings and for tours, my husband noted. In fact, wines bottled here are available only here, making them somewhat exclusive.

The Martins also grow pumpkins - they'll be ready for picking the first of October.

If you can spare the time, there's also a picnic spot open to the public overlooking Knotts Island Bay to the left of the farm house. It's a pretty place to sit, watch the water and eat a snack. And, yes, they do have portable toilets. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

VICKI CRONIS/The Virginian-Pilot

Although apples are a couple of weeks late this season, Galas,

Donny-golds and Braeburns are ready for picking now at Martin

Orchard and Vineyards, on Knotts Island, N.C. Next up: Granny Smith

and others.

Graphic

IF YOU GO

What: Martin Orchard and Vineyards

Where: take Princess Anne Road south through Pungo and Creeds

across the Knotts Island causeway, and follow signs to the farm on

Knotts Island, N.C.

Hours: The orchard is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. The winery

is open for tasting and tours 12-6 daily.

Call: 429-3564 or 429-3542

Local's tip: If you want to picnic at the Martin orchard, stop at

Knotts Island Market before you turn down the farm lane and get

lunch at the deli or go to Knotts Island Cafe next door. They have

take-out.



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