B is for Bluenose: A Nova Scotia Alphabet

B is for Bluenose: A Nova Scotia Alphabet — page 3
The Annapolis Valley is located in the western part of the Nova Scotia penin sula The North and South Mountains protect the valley from harsh weather This shelter from the mountains creates a mild climate perfect for growing vegetable and fruit crops The first record of an apple crop in Canada was in 1610 harvested by Acadian settlers in the Annapolis Valley Today there are more than 1 000 farms in the valley where not only apples are grown but also grapes strawberries blueberries pumpkins potatoes and many other vegetables The fertile valley is often referred to as the breadbasket of Nova Scotia because of the many crops that are grown here The valley has become famous for its delicious apples The town of Kentville celebrates the arrival of spring with the Apple Blossom Festival Harvest festi vals in autumn include the Annapolis Valley Pumpkin Festival with pumpkin carving pumpkin people and giant pumpkin weigh offs where pumpkins can weigh as much as moose a