Sturges Orchard — Attraction in Franklin Township

I'm from New England, so apples are important to me. I grew up eating apples from Bishop's Orchard in Guilford, Connecticut, and I never thought that I would taste a better apple than the Bishop's apples from my childhood.

Boy was I wrong.

Aaron Sturges is a one-man apple growing phenom. He does everything from planting the trees, pruning the branches, picking the apples and selling them to the customers. In this age of mechanized uniformity, Aaron does things by hand the old fashioned way. I honestly don't know how he manages to do it all by himself.

Aaron grows a diverse range of apples that are pretty much unavailable anywhere else. No supermarket red delicious apples here. Instead, he will sell you the heirloom apple that is the grandparent of the red delicious, which is actually way more delicious. He has dozens of varieties which encompass snacking apples, baking apples, and even cider apples. No matter how you plan to use your apple, Aaron has the perfect variety for you. Just ask him, and he will gladly recommend the best apple for your needs.

Aaron also sells hard and sweet cider made from his apples. The sweet cider is pressed fresh the day before he brings it to market. The blend changes as different apples mature, and he is happy to explain what he uses each week.

He has several varieties of hard cider as well. This is not the swill you get from a rodent can. Aaron has dedicated himself to learning the best practices of British, French and American cider traditions. He has sought out specific cider apples that have long been forgotten on these shores. His ciders are more akin to a fine wine than the commercial cider that many people are familiar with. Just try it, you won't be sorry.

Like I mentioned, Aaron can recommend the perfect apple for your needs. As for me, my favorites are the Stayman Winesap, Cox's Orange Pippen and...

Sold me two bottles of unsealed hard cider which I never opened and I never got to enjoy. After having them in my house for about a week and a half, they leaked and started hissing like teapots. I brought them back and the guy refused to give me a refund or even replace the bottles. "I've been doing this for 33 years! I can't take those back that's a liability! All sales are final!" I was a loyal customer but now these condescending Jagoffs aren't ever getting another penny of my hard...

From my experience, the owner does not care what's going on in or around him. He walks around barking and being hostile about a darn apple 😑 Was at the farmers market, because of the person vending today for sturges not only created an argument but unprofessionally let it continue with a customer attacking another verbally and physically. I am following up with the police but there is zero professionalism in this farm. Worker/owner is...