Year: 2019

APPLES ARE GROWING WELL

The apples are now up to about an inch and a half in size – the picture shows some on the old MacIntosh trees. The crop overall this year will probably be a medium sized one – not as many apples as last year or 2015, but if the weather cooperates, there will be good apples.

The rain has made the grass grow rapidly as well as the apples, so we are busy mowing and thinning a few trees that are overset.

Remember – no more raspberries and cherries – see the raspberries and cherries section on the web page for details and alternate sources.

SORRY – NO MORE RASPBERRIES AND CHERRIES

We made the decision last fall to end our production of raspberries and cherries so that we would have time available to ensure that our apple production is sustainable for the long term. We have known for years that the amount of time we spent maintaining the raspberries meant that some time critical work on the apples did not get done. The raspberries were taking 40% of the total work effort but producing far less of the revenue, so we have taken out almost all our raspberries and cherries except for a small amount for family use.

We know this will disappoint many people, but we will still be able to welcome you and the many others who come for apples in the fall.

There are several options to find berries elsewhere:

  1. Dutton’s Farm Stand on RT 11&30 in Manchester will have already picked raspberries – also good strawberries picked and pick your own in June – plus lots of good fruit and vegetables all year.
  2. Wildwood Berry Farm next door at 2977 Mad Tom Rd will have blueberries later in July and early August.
  3. Merck Forest in Rupert has some pick your own raspberries which are a fairly long walk to reach plus many good family activities.
  4. Champlain Orchards in Shoreham is a large diversified fruit producer and has both raspberries and cherries.

Make sure to check with any of these folks to be sure that they have berries available before you go.

We greatly appreciate the support for our berries you have given us over the years and will definitely miss seeing you in the summer, but look forward to seeing you in the fall for apples.

Tom & Sylvia

BLOOM IS FINALLY STARTING

After weeks of cold damp weather, bloom is finally starting.  The photo shows a strong bloom just opened up on the Zestars – the earliest to bloom and the earliest to ripen – usually Labor Day weekend.

MacIntosh, Gala, Honeycrisp etc. are still at pink but will open soon with the warm days.  Overall the number of flowers gives us the potential for a good crop – but after the heavy crop last year, Honeycrisp will be very light.  The bumble bees are out looking for open blossoms.

So we are well started on growing another crop.

 

Zestars in bloom

 

 

SPRING IS ACTUALLY COMING

The snow out in the orchard is finally melted and we are busy chipping brush.  Pruning is almost complete.

I am mostly recovered from my Halloween mishap.  Once the brush is chipped, some mowing, fertilizer spreading etc. that did not get done last fall is on the to do list.

We will get green tip showing on the buds by the end of the month.   Maple syrup makers have had a short season so far and we hope they get a few more days.

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