ORCHARD NEWS

CROP UPDATE:

• Since we have irrigation, this seasons drought has not affected our orchard as it has those without irrigation.
• The “hot” weather on the other hand has negatively affected the size of the early apples and in some cases in the very early apples it appears the apples on the south side of the trees actually “baked” on the tree.
• The FALL APPLES are less affected, they maybe slightly smaller, but the quality seems fine. The late fall apples are looking great.
• Let’s hope the really hot weather is gone and that these cool nights and warm sunny days continue!
• Ripening Schedule:
  • ALREADY PICKED: State Fair (sold out), Red Free (u-pick available) & William’s Pride (available but since apple drops when it is fully ripe, we have picked them all).
  • READY TO GO: Paula Red, Ginger Gold & early MacIntosh (starting 9/9 we will open u-pick on the MacIntosh).
  • FUTURE:
    MacIntosh, Prairie Spy, Cortland & the other mid-Sept. Apples should be ready in 7-10 days early…around 9/12.
    
    Honeycrisp, Haralson, Sweet 16 & other mid-late Sept. Apples should be ready around 9/20 – 9/23. Our Honeycrisp Fest is 9/23 (u-pick will be available on these during the Honeycrisp Fest).
    
    Connell Red, Honey Gold & other early Oct. Apples maybe ready Late Sept.Fireside & other late apples should be ready mid-Oct. These apples are looking very good.
    
    Veggie Picking: Our green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers & strawberries usually get picked out by early afternoon on weekends. On weekdays they usually last longer.The pumpkin crop looks like it will be early, expect them by mid-September.
    
    
• Disease: the ironic part of a drought is that during drought years we can use less sprays because most apple diseases need moisture to grow, reproduce and spread.
• The other interesting thing about apple diseases is that with recent computer modeling and with the isolated nature of our orchard (no neighboring orchards to get diseases from), we have been able to target spray applications and eradicate a lot of disease. This simply means “less” spray and a “healthier” environment!
• By researching new root stocks, Linda & Mike have found hardier variety combinations.
• They also went with trees that can be planted closer together.
• European growing techniques were used, basically creating a hedge or wall of dwarf trees positioned to maximize the light as the sun moves across the sky.
• This also maximizes spray application and minimizes mowing grass.
• We also experienced a severe winter with little to no snow cover. The lesson we learned was that some root stocks marketed as being weather hardy were not and that leaving some ground cover (weeds & grass) between the trees help insulate the roots.
• Pears & Plums have been planted.
• New “trial” varieties have been planted.
• Thousands of new apple trees have been added.
• Fall bearing Strawberries were added 2 years ago, most planted on raised beds for easier access by the elderly and wheelchair restricted customers.
• Several varieties of Raspberries now call the orchard home.
• This year the orchard will experiment with pick-your-own sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini as well as raspberries, strawberries and pumpkins.
• When you pick-your-own you know the produce has not been prematurely picked, treated with chemicals to preserve the produce and artificially stored. Simply put, it is tastier and healthier.
• Needless to say pre-picked produce is also available.

We encourage you to come out and visit our orchard, bring your family, friends and your camera