An apple a day

Local orchard has no shortage of fruit Pat Wilson strongly believes in the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Take one step onto her property at Wilson Orchard and you’ll see that she may never have to go to the doctor again. Most of the 1,500-1,800 apple trees on the seven acre orchard in Seymour are overflowing with fruit. In 12 years of business, the Wilson’s haven’t seen a larger crop. When visitors come “they just ooh and ah,” said Wilson. The orchard has 42 different types of apples, including Ginger Gold, Smoothy, Mitsu, Gala, Braeburn and Cortland. “There are apples everywhere,” said Curtis Wilson, Pat’s husband. The trees look like large bunches of grapes because limbs are sagging and breaking due to the extra weight. “That’s the way it is,” said Curtis. “When you get such a good crop, it can make for a difficult time the next year; it’s breaking limbs loose that have fruit on them for next year.” The Wilson’s started with 75 trees they bought from a nursery. “We never expected it to get this big,” said Pat. The business was built on word of mouth, and Pat quickly admits she and her husband can’t handle the volume of customers they would receive if they actively advertised. The Wilson Orchard staff consists of Pat, Curtis and Curtis’ fishing buddies, who use the land in the winter as a deer lodge. “We’re almost like a mom and pop orchard,” said Pat. “We want to keep it old fashion.” Remember the first time you picked fruit? Pat and Curtis Wilson want their customers to get the same feeling when they visit the orchard. They welcome anyone to come by to simply walk through and taste. “They don’t have to buy a thing,” said Pat. “I want them to come and relax and do what they want.” Pat has lived in Seymour for 18 years and Curtis for 30. They are proud to operate an orchard out of Seymour. “I came here from Florida and can remember picking fruit out of the citrus orchards,” she said. “This brings me right back to my childhood.” “We get old ladies that come in and say, ‘I remember when I used to go to grandma’s and pick apples,’” said Pat. “It does my heart good to hear that.” During Labor Day, the Wilson’s host Open House at Wilson Orchard, an event that resembles a family reunion. Apple butter is made in old fashion kettles and fried pies and cider are also available. A fish fry will be held with fish that Curtis and is buddies catch between now and the holiday. The orchard is open seven days a week and is located at 950 Delozier Road, off of Sugar Loaf Road. For more information, call (865) 429-3960.