The Apple Doesn't Fall From the Tree at Perry Lowe Orchards

Carrying on the Family Tradition at Perry Lowe Orchards

For six generations, the Lowe family has been growing apples in the Brushy Mountains of Wilkes County. With over 100 acres planted with apple trees of more than 30 varieties, it’s enough to keep this family business busy and thriving. Perry Lowe, III still works on the farm along with his wife and their three kids -- Perry IV, Matthew, and Jessica, as well as Jessica’s husband Eric Adams.

We caught up with Perry Lowe, IV for some insight on running the farm as he brings it well into the 21st century.

What made you decide to come back to Wilkes County after graduating from NC State and continue on with the family farm?

I just love growing apples, and working on the land. It’s a lot of hard work, but once you get to harvest time and see the results of all that labor, it makes it all worth it. And of course, you can’t beat this place as far as making a home. We live up here on the mountain top, and the views are second to none.

What are some ways farming has changed over the years that make it easier for you than it was for your great grandfather and his father before him?

All the research and development in pest management has really helped a lot. We use what’s called Integrated Pest Management in our orchards, which is a way of approaching pests by using knowledge about their life cycles and the way they interact with the environment, which helps us be able to use a lot less pesticides on our crops. For example, researchers have found a pheromone that disrupts the mating pattern of the codling moth, one of the biggest threats to apple crops, so rather than having to kill adult moths we’re decreasing the amount of moths that are bred.

What are some challenges that you face now that the previous generations didn’t have to?

It just seems that things are changing so fast. Sometimes that’s good, like when they come up with new technologies. But in the past few years we’ve had to deal with COVID and the restrictions it brought and now inflation and rising gas prices which affect the farm’s business. It just means we have to be willing and able to adapt.

How do you decide when to introduce, and which ones to plant?

Every year we plant a new variety of apple, and then it will be about three years before we’re able to introduce it as a new crop in our farm for sale to the public and wholesalers. Apples are growing faster than any other fruit commodity as far as the types of varieties available, and they’re always improving. We look for varieties that have good flavor and crunch, can stay fresh longer and are disease resistant.

Which apples are the bestsellers of Perry Lowe Orchards?

The two favorites are Honey Crisp which is harvested in September, and Pink Lady that ripens around mid-October. Pink Lady happens to be my favorite. Because it harvests when the nights are getting cool it turns a real nice red. It’s good to eat off the tree, but also great for baking and making cider.

It’s not just the new up and comers that are popular around here. We sell a lot of the Stayman Winesap, which is an older variety. And then there’s the Brushy Mountain Limber Twig, which is a variety only grown in North Carolina. It’s believed to have been developed right here in Wilkes County.

The farm is now open to the public for u-pick times on weekends and field trips during the week. What has been the biggest benefits of these ventures?

We have over 2,000 kids visit our farm each fall on field trips, and I just love seeing their smiles. They really love getting to go pick apples, it’s fascinated to them. And we believe it’s important to know where your food comes from, so we’re doing our little part to educate a new generation. The same goes for the families that come on the weekends. We just have fun talking with the people that come, and seeing them have fun with their families.

Plan a Visit to the Farm

Perry Lowe Orchard is open to the public for U-Pick hours from Labor Day weekend through the middle of November.

Visit the website to schedule a time.

Or visit the store any day of the week, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Sundays.