Quarry Hill Orchards

Quarry Hill Orchards is a fantastic farm in Berlin Heights, Erie County, Ohio. Activities for visitors include you-pick, hiking, and even tractor shows.  If you would like to know more, then please read on…

The History Of Quarry Hill Orchards

The Gammie Family were originally from the granite city of Aberdeen in North-East Scotland. The Gammies emigrated to the United States when they were youngsters in the early 20th Century.

In 1909, the family decided to settle in South Lorain, Ohio. As young boys, the Gammie Brothers found some liking for farming. William Gammie decided that he wanted to study Horticulture at Ohio State University. After his graduation from the University, he took time out and traveled to Liberia to work with Firestone Rubber. After a few years in Africa, he decided to return home to Ohio.

The Gammie brothers managed to acquire 200 acres of land and in turn, they had to work 12-hour days during the harvest. Some of the crops that the brothers grew included lettuce, tomatoes, and cabbage. Afterward, they decided to partition off two acres of land to grow fruit. They discovered that the land was quite rocky and this was perfect for growing apples. The brothers ended up working together on the farm for 25 years.

William Gladstone (no relation to Victorian British Prime Minister William E. Gladstone!) married Margaret in 1942. In time a second generation of the Gammie family came to be. They had two children called William Dinan and Judith. The brothers carried on selling their stock and did so mostly as a wholesale business. William Gladstone passed away in 1964, leaving his wife and two children. Margaret carried on running the farm and home.

Recent History

As life went on, William Dinan spent some time away from the farm as he wanted to go to University just like his Father. He read political science and he had an inkling for law. The Vietnam War erupted and William Dinan was drafted. He served diligently for 19 months before he returned home to Ohio. He then did his teaching course and decided to teach history at Margaretta High School. 

Bill married in 1975 and as his marriage settled down, his interest in teaching started to drop off. The lease on the farm was due up for renewal and as a result, he decided to go back to his first love – Farming. For the first few years, he had to juggle teaching and farming, eventually, he left teaching so that the farm could get his full attention.

In the 1980s, the third generation of the family arrived on the scene with Ben Dinan. It was at this time that the farm was going about changing and being established as Quarry Hill Orchards. Margaret had a huge influence on the farm and as the logo appears. In the summer of 1982, Adrianne was born and as fate would have it, she was the only peach picked that season. There was a late frost that year and as a result, it eliminated the Peach crop. These trees were replaced by new whips.

Quarry Hill Orchards Today

You will see three Generations of Gammies running around the orchard market (Bill, Ben, and Henry). The farm has now eclipsed a few boys out picking fruit or pruning trees. To run a successful orchard operation in this day and age is truly a team sport. Each member of the Gammie family plays an important role in addition to their capable staff. New technologies and regulations constantly keep them on their toes. There is no off-season. There is never a day without something that must be done. Yet we remain enthusiastic and plan for the future. Ben talks of expanding the retail operation. Bill talks of scaling back acreage as plantings become more efficient.

Each member of the Gammie family plays a crucial role on the farm. Along with their trusted staff, they are out pruning trees and tending to all that comes with running a farm. As this is a fully functioning farm, there is no time off allowed. There is also a dream of restoring the historic Stone House.

What Crops Are Grown At Quarry Hill Orchards

All the fruits and vegetables of Ohio are available at the farm. These include crops such as: 

• Apricots
• Cherries
• Plums
• Peaches
• Nectarines
• Apples
• Pears

Click here for the most recent Harvest Calendar. Download or print for your own records as to when crops are due to come into season!

Please remember that all dates are estimated and may alter slightly due to the weather, so please be sure to contact them if you are looking for something in particular.

Short video from Quarry Hill Orchards:

Items Available For Sale At Quarry Hill Orchards

Cider – Bill has been working hard for over three decades in Cider presses. Bill has since made a brand of Quarry Hill Cider. The pressings begin in late-August and this continues until the festive season. The Farm uses a blend of their own apples and it is pasteurized.

Local Produce – At Quarry Hill Orchards, the main crop is apples. In partnership with other local Farmers, there are other items for sale as well. Some of the items that are for sale when in season are:

• Acorn Squash
• Corn
• Melons
• Beans
• Kale
• Tomatoes

Most of these staples are available from July until October. If there is something specific that you would be looking to purchase, then it is advised that you contact them directly via Facebook, Instagram, or their website.

Dry goods – It isn’t just fresh produce that is available on the farm, there are also dry goods available such as:

• Candies
• Noodles
• Syrup
• Popcorn
• Honey
• Maple Syrup
• Jams and Jellies

T-Shirts and Clothing – The Farm Market at Quarry Hill has a range of clothing on offer. Shirts, hats, and wearable farm gear are available. All sizes are available for purchase.

Apple Wood – As the season evolves, older trees have to be replaced with younger trees and whips. When the older trees are cut down, the wood is chainsawed down to size and is available for people to use as firewood. Various weights of wood are available and if you bring your own chainsaw, the farm will show you how to cut the wood, and a reduced rate is offered.

You-Pick Fruit At Quarry Hill Orchards

Visitors are not only allowed to pick their own fruit, it is encouraged. It is requested that advanced RSVP and orchard fees be paid for picking the summer fruits (cherries, raspberries, and peaches). This is not required if you wish to pick apples. It is mandatory to seek out a staff member who will show you how to pick the fruit correctly.

All ripening dates are subject to local weather conditions. Cherry picking in mid-June. This is followed by red raspberries and currants in late June and into the first week of July. Peaches are ripe for picking during late July and throughout August, and finally into apples during August through late October.

The mandatory RSVP is $3 per person and it must be paid ahead of time. The reason for this is so that staff can be with you and provide you with an experience. RSVPs also help to ensure the orchards do not become overcrowded and over-picked.

All fruit that is hand-harvested is sold at a price per pound. Pricing is subject to change.

It is advised that you check out the Harvest Calendar. There are different varieties of Apples that are grown within the Orchards. If you are after a specific fruit, it is advised that you call ahead to make sure that this fruit is available for picking.

The Pumpkin Patch

In the patch, there is an abundance of Pumpkins available:

• White pumpkins
• Warty pumpkins
• Flat pumpkins
• Birdhouse pumpkins
• Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins

These pumpkins are collected by staff and you are able to choose what pumpkin you would like to buy.

Meet some of the Quarry Hill family in this short video:

Does Quarry Hill Orchards Host Events?

Quarry Hills Orchards does host events. Depending on the type of event, they can be hosted at any time of the year.

• Merry Merry
• Spring Bloom
• Basket Fest 5K
• Peaches and Cream
• Tractor Show
• Apple Peak
• Educational Farm Tours
• Farm to Table
• On Farm fun
• Hiking and Horse trails
• Winery

It is advised that you contact Quarry Hills Orchards direct with regard to the above events. They will be able to advise you on dates and if the event needs to be RSVP and paid upfront.

Be sure to stay up to date with events and opening times, by checking in on Facebook and Instagram, as well as their website. You can also Email them.

Does Quarry Hill Orchards Have An Online Shop?

Quarry Hill Orchards do have an online shop!

Visitors are able to buy merchandise from the online shop and they are also able to book their RSVPs online as well. All Major Credit Cards are accepted.

Quarry Hill Orchards Opening Hours

The Farm opening hours:

The hours of opening are seasonal and depend on weather conditions. The farm typically opens in the spring around Mother’s Day and closes around February. During their harvest season (mid-June – late October), they are open daily 9 am – 6 pm.  After harvest (November – February), they close earlier at 5 pm and if the weather doesn’t look so good on Sundays, they might not be open then either.  In the off-season, it is recommended that visitors call ahead to make sure that the farm will be open.

Where is Quarry Hill Orchards Located?

• Address: 8403 Mason Road #1, Berlin Heights, OH 44814
• Phone: 419-588-2858 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Quarry Hills Orchard is located at the Southeast corner of Mason and Humm Roads. It is around 1 mile East of Route 61 in Erie County and 45 drive west of Cleveland.

*PLEASE NOTE: If you are using a map pin to find them, this is the address/location to use. They have many buildings in the area, so it is easy to get lost!*

Let’s Visit Quarry Hill Orchards!

Quarry Hill Orchards is a fantastic farm in Erie County, Berlin Heights, Ohio. Activities for visitors include You Pick, Hiking, and even Tractor shows.  If you would like to know more, then please read on…

Have you visited Quarry Hill Orchards? We would LOVE to hear from you! Did you cut your own firewood for the season? Did you partake in a little (or a lot – we won’t judge!) wine tasting? Be sure to let us know of your experience below in the comments!

If you are looking for the best Ohio orchards, here are some suggestions: Lynds Fruit Farm, Brants Apple Orchard, Rittman Orchard, and Bauman Orchards. As always, we would love to hear from you and your experiences! If you think we have missed any great Ohio venues, let us know!

Did you know you can even go Grape Picking In Ohio? Check out the post for our “pick of the crop”!