Apple picking draws crowds to Heinz Orchard

GREEN OAKS – As owner of the family-run Heinz Apple Orchard in Green Oaks the past 15 years, Anthony DeMoon has overcome droughts, flooding, late frosts and all sorts of crop challenges.

He’s never lost sleep.

Until now.

“This is the first year I’ve ever lost sleep thinking, ‘How are we going to make this happen?’” said DeMoon of Libertyville. “I have an iron gut, but this year has really tested me. … It’s like the perfect storm of chaos.”

On top of weather challenges, including a late frost and summer drought followed by heavy rain, DeMoon has faced the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. He didn’t quite know what to expect upon opening this season – or even if the 800-tree orchard would open at all.

“Farming is pretty stressful as it is without this kind of thing going on,” he said.

On Sept. 18, the small, no-frills Heinz Orchard – believed to be the last you-pick apple orchard in Lake County – welcomed the usual guests and then some.

DeMoon said the weekend brought what he believes could be the orchard’s biggest crowds to date.

With COVID-19 guidelines in place, crowds reached more than 1,000 people on opening weekend. DeMoon said he intends to reopen Sept. 25 and 26, but he isn’t sure if he’ll be able to remain open after this weekend. The orchard typically stays open at least four to six weeks a year.

“We are beyond busy,” he said. “I expected pretty big crowds on Friday, but it was much larger than I expected. Saturday was even greater. We’ve never had that many people come out this early in a season.”

Limited apples aren’t DeMoon’s only concern.

Because of COVID-19 guidelines, he said, if the orchard becomes too crowded, he’ll have to shut down before the posted closing hour.

This past weekend, visitors followed the orchard’s COVID-19 rules, which require masks at all times and none of the usual picnicking, playing or gathering typically enjoyed at Heinz Orchard. Guests are encouraged to socially distance as much as possible.

No bathrooms are available, and no eating or drinking is allowed in the orchard. That unfortunately means DeMoon won’t be allowing guests to sample apples directly plucked from the trees, despite how much he’d like to offer the option just like he’s always done.

Unlike year’s past, no field trips, groups or parties will be hosted. And previously a cash-only business, the orchard now accommodates credit cards.

Despite the new guidelines and restrictions, people are eager to visit, many drawn from Chicago.

“Everything is running normally as it can be with a pandemic going on,” he said. “If you didn’t see people wearing masks, you probably wouldn’t think twice about it.”

About 37 miles from downtown Chicago, the orchard is the closest you-pick orchard to the city, DeMoon said.

DeMoon offered McIntosh and Jonathan apples for picking this past weekend and expects to have Empire apples available Sept. 25. Picking conditions and the availability of apples are updated regularly on the orchard's website at www.heinzorchard.com.

DeMoon also sells raw, natural honey.

“This is one of the best years we’ve ever had for honey,” he said.

A tradition in Lake County for more than 50 years, Heinz Orchard has seen an uptick in crowds the past several years amid a push to buy local. People want to know where their food comes from, said DeMoon, who bought the orchard about 15 years ago after the original owner, Heinz Jeske, died. Jeske had planted the trees in the 1950s.

Co-owning his grandfather’s farm with his brothers, DeMoon had farmed part time for years while working full time in radio in Chicago. He didn’t know anything about apple orchards when he bought Heinz Orchard.

“I took a leap of faith and really immersed myself and had to be a quick study and learn fast,” he said.

DeMoon’s friends and family, including his wife and three children ages 11, 9 and 6, help out at the orchard.

Through the years, he said, he’s never seen more interest in the orchard.

People enjoy the pure, simple joy of picking their own apples. And the pandemic seems to have made the orchard and others like it throughout northern Illinois even bigger draws, DeMoon said.

“Cooped up for so long,” De Moon said, people are looking to get out of their houses and enjoy nature.

“Being the last you-pick left in Lake County, people are realizing this is something they want,” he said.