Founded in 1995 by Charlie Fritsch…
Charlie’s Applies is a small chemical free commercial orchard located in the gently rolling hills of Licking County, Ohio. For 25 years, we have been a pick-your-own orchard with multiple varieties of crisp and tasty disease resistant apples. Zachary and Seth Dobbelaer assumed management over the orchard in 2016.
Since the beginning of our orchard, we have been committed to producing high quality apples practicing sustainable agriculture. That has meant we use no fungicides, herbicides, or other synthetic chemicals used by conventional growers. You can be assured that the apples and everything made from them are free of chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides.
A Modern Approach…
We are personally committed to wholesome foods grown in an ecologically healthy environment. The challenge of growing a crisp tasty apple without synthetic chemicals or pesticides, in Central Ohio, is an ongoing self-funded research project. Organic apples in a supermarket come from western USA where the weather is not as humid and the insect presence is less. Also, they have been sorted so the customers see only the perfect ones and the price has been adjusted to cover the losses. However, the flavor can not compare to the flavor of an Ohio apple.
The primary result of this experiment says that, even in Central Ohio, one can grow crisp and tasty apples with organic practices. Additionally, in a pick-your-own orchard, hiding a heavy infestation of a particular insect such as codling moth is not possible. Thus, such an orchard requires customers who accept some imperfections while greatly appreciating the taste and eating quality of wholesomely, organically grown apples.