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Date: 10/12/2022
WARREN – Spanning across 100 acres of land are five generations worth of memories for the Tuttle family.
Since 1896, the Tuttle’s have owned and operated Breezelands Orchards in Warren.
Mark Tuttle of Breezelands explained that the land used to be a cow farm, owned by his great grandfather. “Everyone had cows [back then],” he said. To be different, Tuttle shared, they thought to “branch out – literally” and start an apple farm.
“At first, they only had a few apples. Now, we grow the kind of apples that people like [with] old and new favorites,” he continued. Tuttle described this process as a “guessing game,” because they plant trees and hope people like the product.
He shared that a lot of other orchards have old varieties in the ground. At Breezelands, he said they knock out the old varieties and put in new ones. Currently, they have nearly 10,000 trees of new varieties that are “dwarfing,” explained Tuttle. This includes Macoun, honey crisp and its cousin wine crisp, among many others.
We’re here to stay,” he said. “We are forging straight ahead and [becoming] bigger and better.”
Tuttle went on to say that the trees are being planted in tighter spaces and are a size down from what they used to be. He informed Reminder Publishing that the reason for this is because by growing smaller trees, there can be more per acre. “You get a better product and quality. It’s all about the quality,” he added.
Other perks of growing smaller trees are that they are much easier to pick from. Tuttle explained that every single apple at Breezelands is handpicked. “The trend of the industry is going pedestrian friendly – you pick [your own apples].”
Breezelands Orchards serves as both a wholesale and retail business. Open from July until the day before Thanksgiving, Tuttle noted that apple season is their busiest time of year.
From Labor Day through Columbus Day, Breezelands offers pick your own apples. “We offer tractor rides out to the picking area,” he said. Whether it’s rain or shine, people can purchase a bag – either a half bushel bag or a peck bag – and can fill it as much as they want. The bags are not weighed. For the full fall experience, Tuttle said there is a plethora of cider to enjoy, including complimentary hot cider.
If you don’t have time for a pick your own excursion, Breezelands Orchards also has a farmstand where the apples can be purchased, along with a bakery offering homemade pies, scones, apple cider donuts and more. Tuttle shared that their hot, freshly made apple cider donuts were voted number one in Central Massachusetts. Everything is cooked in house, he noted. “We are proud of it. We work hard and try hard to have a great product.”
For the customers and their loved ones who don’t live locally and would like to enjoy crisp apples this time of year, Breezelands Orchards will do shipments. Tuttle shared that a lot of people take advantage of this offering, with most apples being shipped down south.
During the off season when the orchard is closed to the public, Tuttle said all apples are kept in coolers and wholesale business begins. Once Jan. 1 hits, he said they start pruning, fixing equipment and stuffing packages. This continues until early July, when the orchard reopens with their peach trees, although it’s really an August fruit, noted Tuttle.
Aside from Tuttle, his father and brother assist him in running the farm. “My dad is really the one who started the apples,” said Tuttle. He recognized his 90-year-old father Robert, or “Bob,” for all his continued efforts. “Everything is his, I’m just a product of that,” said Tuttle. “We all work hard, but he works extra hard to keep the farm viable.”
This fall, the farm stand is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pick your own apples is also open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Nov. 23, Breezelands will close for the season at 12 p.m.
Breezelands Orchards is located at 1791 Southbridge St. in Warren.
To learn more, visit https://breezelandsorchards.com/farmstand/.