The Garwood family has been farming the same land near La Porte, Indiana, since 1831. Their ancestor John Garwood, a carpenter, moved to the area and took up farming alongside other ventures. John’s great-grandson, Carl A., began a farm market in the 1940s, selling apples and cider. By the 1950s, under the leadership of brothers Carl E., Jim and Gene, the family moved into commercial farming, with apples as the main product.
Garwood Orchards and Farm Market is now in its sixth generation as a family farm. Brothers Brian and Mike and their cousin Tom own the orchard and run day-to-day operations, which include the farm market and seasonal U-pick opportunities for several different fruits and vegetables.
“The U-pick and market are a tiny percentage of our business, but those are our roots and where it all started,” says Carey Garwood, who is the farm manager and married to Brian. “We grow everything from green peppers to our main product of apples for the wholesale market. This keeps us in business and allows us to continue to be a family farm and offer the market and U-pick for our friends and neighbors to shop locally.”
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Farmer for a Day
The orchard boasts a wide variety of seasonal U-pick opportunities for visitors throughout the summer and fall, from strawberries in early June through apples and pumpkins in October. Their U-pick options include raspberries, cherries, blackberries, plums, peaches, pumpkins and, of course, apples. Patrons may also pick produce such as peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and tomatillos.
When visiting Garwood’s to pick produce, don’t expect to find jump houses, carousels, a petting zoo or other staples often seen at agritourism destinations.
“We tend to stay further away from what I call ‘entertainment farming,’ although we do have horse-drawn and tractor-drawn rides to our U-pick areas,” Carey says. “We want more of that real farm-feel experience because you are out here to pick produce.”
Carey emphasizes they want visitors to catch the vibes of a real working farm when they come to Garwood Orchards.
“We’ve built a workforce of family and friends, and the farm matters as much to them as it does to us,” Carey says. “When people come out to the orchard, they realize their tractor driver is often a cousin whose last name is also Garwood. It’s exciting for all of us to see people look forward to the market and U-pick opening up again in spring and sad when it closes at the end of the season. That part of family farming is something we really enjoy, and we’re glad we can keep doing it.”
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Diversified Decisions
The wide assortment of products grown at the orchard stems back to an era when homesteaders grew or raised most of what they ate, and the Garwood ancestors were no different.
“They needed a variety of crops for themselves and for their neighbors,” Carey says. “So, those are our roots from the very start.”
Over the years, each generation has discovered what they grow well and what they don’t through trial and error.
“We had blueberries at one time, and many years ago, we had Christmas trees, and we found out we’re not good Christmas tree growers, and we’re not good blueberry growers,” Carey says. “In farming, you find the things you’re good at. The property has something to do with it, too, like certain land is just better for Christmas trees, and that’s not here.”
Their property is exceptionally suited to grow apples, sweet corn, peppers, strawberries and a host of other fruits and vegetables. Sweet corn is available in the farm market, which is open daily from May through November. At the market, customers will also find flowers in spring, seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, preserves, meat, cheese, and apple cider and caramel apples in fall, among other seasonal delights throughout the year.
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Apples Abound
The farm market and U-pick fields stay busy throughout the growing season, but in the fall, Garwood’s kicks into high gear, as people are eager to select their favorites from more than 20 varieties of apples. And with over 300 acres devoted to fruit production – namely, apple orchards – and 200-plus acres to vegetables, you never have to worry about a shortage.
“You’re not going to come out here and find out we’ve run out of crop,” Carey says. “There may be times where we are waiting for certain crops or varieties to ripen. But with so many acres of apples, you are going to find a tree with apples on it at Garwood Orchards.”
Autumn also brings school tours and group tours for parties of 20 or more. Another longtime tradition at Garwood’s is the Apple Fest and Craft Show, typically held in early September.
“These are real arts and crafts people actually making items in their homes,” Carey says. “The craft show is a unique opportunity for artisans to sell at the festival.”
Location: 5911 W. 50 S., La PorteIf You Go ...
Garwood Orchards and Farm Market
Website: garwoodapplefarm.com
Phone: 219-362-4385
Hours: The Farm Market opens daily May through late November. U-pick opportunities typically begin in early June and run through the fall. Check the website or facebook.com/garwoodappleorchard for seasonal hours and updates.
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