Liberty Apple Orchard

Liberty Apple Orchard Liberty Apple Orchard, a “U-Pick” orchard located on the east side of Edwardsville, has 21 apple varieties for picking from late August through November Louis.
(226)

Liberty Apple Orchard, a “U-Pick” orchard located just east of Edwardsville, offers 18 varieties of apples for family picking from late August through November. The orchard is owned and cared for by Lugene and Steve Miller with the objective of providing a wholesome source of local fresh fruit, educational opportunities for children and families, and community outreach. At our family-owned and ope

rated orchard there are no “access” fees, parking fees or reservations required. The orchard is located in a rural setting just four miles east of Edwardsville and near Glen Carbon, Troy, Collinsville, Granite City and St. The tree limbs are low, so even the littlest of hands can reach the fruit. The orchard is well mowed, easily accessible from our drive and ideal for photos of your family. If you pause for a moment, you may see blue birds in the orchard and turkey or deer nearby. The name Liberty Apple Orchard was chosen for many reasons. Liberty represents the freedom of our nation, is an appropriate local name with Liberty Middle School nearby and the name of one of our best apples. Most importantly, we named the orchard after the words of Lincoln which you can find in our one-room schoolhouse. At Gettysburg he said, “This is a new nation, conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal.”

The earliest varieties available for picking this year will be Gala, Blondee, and McIntosh followed by Jonathan, Cortland, Liberty, Empire, and Fuji. In late September/early October Braeburn, Ultragold, Ludacrisp, Enterprise, EverCrisp, and Candycrisp will ripen, followed by late season Fuji, Goldrush, Pink Lady and Granny Smith varieties in October. Check for ripening times and hours when the orchard is open by calling 618.659.9217 or via email at [email protected]. Liberty Apple Orchard is located at 8308 Kuhn Station Road, Edwardsville.

Fire Blight - First Large Outbreak in Eight YearsFire Blight is a miserable bacterial infection. It causes dieback of a...
06/02/2026

Fire Blight - First Large Outbreak in Eight Years

Fire Blight is a miserable bacterial infection. It causes dieback of apple tree branches and can kill a mature tree is left unattended. This is the worst outbreak we have seen in eight years. Orchards throughout the Midwest are reporting more Fire Blight issues this year than in the recent past.

Fire Blight is controlled with antibiotics such as streptomycin (Yes, that is the same antibiotic often prescribed for children with strep throat). The bacteria that causes Fire Blight can multiply rapidly in warm, wet conditions during bloom. Reportedly, April was the warmest on record in Illinois. In warm conditions, one cell of bacteria can become a billion cells overnight (University of KY). Hail and strong winds can exacerbate the spread of Fire Blight bacteria.

For the past two weeks we have been cutting out Fire Blight strikes. Jonathan, Cortland, Blondee and Fuji appear most susceptible to Fire Blight. Varieties resistent to the infection include Liberty, Goldrush, and Enterprise.

We have a great crop of all apple varieties this year. Fire Blight is only a small hurdle on the path to harvest.

Liberty Apple Orchard will be at the Edwardsville Library this Thursday, 4:30-6:30pmWe will be participating in the Edwa...
05/26/2026

Liberty Apple Orchard will be at the Edwardsville Library this Thursday, 4:30-6:30pm

We will be participating in the Edwardsville Library’s ( ) Summer Reading Kickoff Party on Thursday, May 28 from 4:30-6:30pm in Edwardsville City Park.

As a former elementary teacher, Lugene likes to encourage reading. What better way to learn how apples grow or how to use them to make delicious and healthy baked treats. Stop by to see the many books we offer at the orchard and make a bookmark redeemable for an apple of your choice.

Never forget. Always honor.Whenever I look at this flag inside our Liberty Schoolhouse, I am reminded how precious - an...
05/22/2026

Never forget. Always honor.

Whenever I look at this flag inside our Liberty Schoolhouse, I am reminded how precious - and fragile - our liberty is. Freedom must never be taken for granted.

Proof that Magic Grows HereSomewhere in the orchard is a pot of Goldrush! 🌈
05/19/2026

Proof that Magic Grows Here

Somewhere in the orchard is a pot of Goldrush! 🌈

Wahoo! Blossoms on the Top-graftsYou might recall that in mid-April, only a month ago, we top-grafted some Empire trees...
05/12/2026

Wahoo! Blossoms on the Top-grafts

You might recall that in mid-April, only a month ago, we top-grafted some Empire trees over to Pixie Crunch. Well, miracles of miracles, the top-grafts are growing and even have Pixie Crunch blossoms.

Congratulations Gloria and Jared!Gloria has worked at Liberty Apple Orchard for six years, including as Orchard Manager ...
05/08/2026

Congratulations Gloria and Jared!

Gloria has worked at Liberty Apple Orchard for six years, including as Orchard Manager this past year. Gloria and Jared are engaged to be married in June. Jared will graduate from West Point academy later this month.

Gloria, although we will miss you, Lugene and I wish you and Jared much happiness.

04/27/2026

No Room at the Hive, Time to “Swarm”

Our beekeeper, Kevin, manages an apiary consisting of seven honey bee hives on our orchard. Earlier today we found a swarm of honey bees on one of our Jonathan trees. Kevin anticipated this because healthy hives will become overcrowded. In that case the honey bees reproduce a colony when the queen and approximately half of the worker bees leave the hive to find a new home. A new queen and bees propagate a new colony in the old hive.

Kevin captured approximately 15,000 bees in the swarm. He will give them a new home soon.

Top-Grafting Empire Trees over to Pixie CrunchPixie Crunch was an early season favorite in the orchard last year, so we ...
04/21/2026

Top-Grafting Empire Trees over to Pixie Crunch

Pixie Crunch was an early season favorite in the orchard last year, so we did a little more top-grafting. Earlier this month Gloria, Tressa and Abi, with some help from Lugene and me, grafted 12 of our 2008 Empire trees over to Pixie Crunch. Empire is my favorite "all-round" apple, but it is very susceptible to Bitter Rot owing to the heat and humity in our environment. We still have 32 Empire trees for all those who love this variety as much as I do.

Since 2020 we have top-grafted over 200 trees from Enterprise, Empire, Liberty and Northern Spy to Honecrisp, Ludacrisp, Evercrisp, Sweet Zinger and Pixie Crunch. Which one is your favorite?

Hi Folks, Check out our new website: www.libertyappleorchard.comRecently created by our granddaughter, Rachel Piazza, o...
04/10/2026

Hi Folks, Check out our new website: www.libertyappleorchard.com

Recently created by our granddaughter, Rachel Piazza, our new website will include periodic updates throughout the year on apple ripening dates, news, special events, community service, our story, pricing, hours of operation and much more.

“See how the flowers of the field grow, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” (Matthew 6 ...
04/04/2026

“See how the flowers of the field grow, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” (Matthew 6 28-29)

The orchard is in full bloom! Easter Sunday afternoon would be a great time to stop by and take a few photos with your family. We only ask that you park along the driveway. Do not drive on the grass in the parking area - it will be too wet.

Happy Easter!

Address

8308 Kuhn Station Road
Edwardsville, IL
62025

Opening Hours

Tuesday 2pm - 5pm
Wednesday 2pm - 5pm
Thursday 2pm - 5pm
Friday 2pm - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

(618) 659-9217

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Liberty Apple Orchard posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category