Just outside of Gettysburg, located directly in the heart of scenic Biglerville in Adams County, Pennsylvania, you’ll find Boyer Nurseries. When seen from the road in stately fashion, perched atop a hill of surrounding lush orchards, it may be unclear what sort of establishment it is. Is it a garden center? Is it one of the several wine-tasting rooms the region is known for? Is it a market/pick-your-own orchard setup? The answer is “yes” to all of the above queries.
Boyer Nurseries & Orchards, Inc. is a unique, multifaceted venue. Making a one-stop-shop here promises many opportunities and pursuits, all catering to various ages and interests. Family-owned and operated since 1900, W.W. Boyer began the business as a local distributor specializing in quality fruit trees. Through the years, their provisions have expanded to include a versatile nursery boasting a bounty of diverse plants, shrubs, flowers, and trees of many varieties. Strolling through the nursery and checking out their greenhouse offerings is a delight in and of itself.
Onsite Garden Shop
In addition to the plethora of plants, they feature a well-stocked garden shop laden with all those other supplemental gardening essentials you may need. The inventory includes the basics, like tools and planters, along with more specialized finds that include statuary, fountains, different types of soil, mulch, peat, and even garden-specific supplements. They also have a nice selection of books and gift items for the planting enthusiast.
Fresh Fruit Finds
Those vast-stretching, all-encompassing orchards certainly produce an abundance of fresh crops throughout the year. So, it should come as no surprise to learn that Boyer also houses a resident Fruit Market on the grounds, based within a former barn. Here you can buy prepicked goods, which change seasonally, as well as products from other local retailers, including preserves, refrigerated product selections, and even ice cream.
If you prefer making hands-on selections directly, you’ll be thrilled to learn that Boyer offers seasonal pick-your-own opportunities between June and December. June is the peak cherry-picking month and the primary pursuit that dominates most of the summer season. Apples are all the rage come September and October, although some offerings are available through November as well. By December the pickings turn to more Christmas-oriented offerings of fresh greenery and are presented via Holiday Open Houses at the Fruit Market. I will get into those more a little later.
When pursuing seasonal U-pick tree options directly, you get to choose the varieties you enjoy most from many different tree types growing along the grounds, all marked accordingly. Then you load up your bag (provided by the Fruit Market during sign-up) with all of your custom-chosen preferred picks. Ladders for complimentary and convenient usage can be found throughout the orchards.
Special Events
Pick-your-own pleasantries are pretty popular, but there are many other ongoing events Boyer hosts seasonally as well. During the nearby two-weekend National Apple Harvest Festival in October for instance, they hold their own onsite celebration of apple enticements. These weekend offerings are entirely free to attend and feature ongoing entertainment, complimentary cider and apple samples, pumpkins, pears, and loads of family-friendly fall follies.
The aforementioned Holiday Open Houses, which are presented each winter, feature fresh-cut holly, greenery, seasonal gifts, gift baskets, and more. Other sweeteners include fresh mulled cider and other delicious refreshments, and even special appearances by the one and only Santa Claus!
Boyer Cellars
Boyer Nurseries & Orchards is also home to Boyer Cellars. Established on the grounds back in 2016, the tantalizing tasting room includes a tasting bar, multiple table seating, and a wrap-around porch that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Boyer Cellars has been partnering with long-time patrons and owners of Screaming Bambino Cellars & Jan Zell Wines, Kim and Rich Capozzi, since 2021. Their featured selections comprise a wide range of traditional red and white wines, fruit wines, and even hard ciders.
Even if you aren’t into the harder stuff, Boyer Cellars features alternate selections for guests to come in and enjoy. They even offer a food menu featuring flatbread pizzas, chili, snacks, and prepackaged items. Click here to view all Boyer Cellars offerings.
Scenic Strolling
The grounds surrounding Boyer are undeniably pristine and scenic. They also make for great hiking terrain which is one of the reasons why current Boyer owners gave the Land Conservancy of Adams County the green light to open a 1.1-mile trail for the public directly on location here earlier this year.
The new trail made its debut back in April with a route of origin beginning at the hedge maze. From there, the trail ascends through the orchard hills to a wooded ridgeline before commencing through the woods to a gravel pathway circling back to the nursery directly.
Boyer Nurseries & Orchards offers bountiful experiences throughout the year. There’s something for everyone and admission is always free. They are located at 405 Boyer Nursery Rd, Biglerville, PA 17307, and are open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Learn more about Boyer Nurseries & Orchards on their website at www.boyernurseries.com.