the full skinny on all we do

Our Apples

Out on the Nation

We're expecting a generous harvest of fruit as all our trees come into bearing. Perhaps as many as 1200 bushels a year. Which, as we sing in the traditional wassail song, will literally be a barn floor full.

We are now closed for the 2021 season for sales to the general public. Apple happenings continue for members of the Lost Nation Cider Club... so you just might want to get on board sooner rather than later!

Core Information

We are open on Friday-Saturday-Sunday, 10 AM through 5 PM, for fresh apples sales in the months of September and October.

We are not a pick-your-own orchard but rather make tree-ripened fruit available for sale when varieties come ready.

You find out about the apple selection each week and other orchard news by signing up for our newsletter:

We grow healthy apples by working with nutrition and biology. Learn more about what it means to be beyond organic below.

Select apple pricing varies with size bag. We can accept cash or personal checks.

If you’re seeking bushel quantities of apples, please email ahead to confirm availability.

Information about shipping apples will be found in our Marketplace once we have the cidery up and running for the 2022 season.

Michael up a tree

Other Apple Venues

We hope you visit the farm for the full selection of our apples. You'll also be able to find especially popular varieties every day of the week in fall at these local food hubs:

North Country Marketplace in Colebrook

Root Seller Marketplace in Lancaster

Sweet Seasons Farm in St. Johnsbury

Beal House Inn (desserts) in Littleton

People know in their hearts that our food can be good for us. That how that food is grown matters. That the people growing that food need to be supported.

That local is indeed the answer.

Michael Phillips, Lost Nation Orchard

watercolor image of apples

The artistry of apples!

Tree Prospectus

Trees grow relatively slow in this North Country of ours. The hillside orchard here in Lost Nation consists of 140 or so trees, mostly planted on MM.111 rootstock. These trees are contributing to our harvest in a substantial way now, joining with the seedling trees planted in the early 90s. Another block of approximately 120 trees consists of Bud.118 and a range of vigorous dwarf varieties in the 40% size class, so fruit will start sooner rather than later. Our newest block lies across the stream and adds 80 more trees to the count, including classic bittersweets and bittersharps for fine cider.

Creating a diverse ecosystem is integral to growing healthy fruit. The understory of our 'apple forest' consists of many different herbs, nitrogen-fixing plants, and wild flowers. This in turn supports many species of bees and beneficial wasps and spiders. Each apple tree ties into a vast support network of mycorrhizal fungi that forms a 'common root being' between every plant in the orchard. This web of life delivers a balanced array of nutrients to enhance photosynthesis which is why Lost Nation apples taste so darn good.

What's in a Name?

Growing 'organic' has always been a given. Understanding how Nature does health fascinates me to no end. Working with biology and nutrition produces flavorful apples that are good for us. Compare that to the visually-pleasing orbs produced by toxic chemistry. That I choose not to certify our farm as organic with the USDA makes for good discussion over a glass of cider. Check out my network grower profile to better understand what a holistic orchardist does to bless up this earth.

Have a peek at this video clip of Michael summarizing his approach to growing healthy fruit.