Stories from the Orchard

Beautiful Blossoms

Tue, 28 May 2019 14:32:00 GMT

The Orchard in May

I saw the robins in springtime

As dawn came shining through.

I was awaken, by their presence,

As the earth soaked up the dew.

I saw the first apple blossom,

When dawn turned into day.

I was walking in my garden

That brightened up my way.

I saw a beauty in my pathway,

As the day drew to a close.

Oh! What a beautiful sunset,

Painted blue, gold and rose.

A sunset, of a busy day so fine,

It filled my heart with gladness.

When robins come back again,

I know it’s apple blossom time.

-Grace R. Baldwin

In May Sunset Orchard’s mantle of pink peach blossoms, slowly changes to white with the opening of the apple blossoms. The crab apple trees are the first to bloom and have the longest bloom time. Because of its extended bloom time, the crab apple tree is a continual food source for the bumble bees, mason bees and honey bees.

Pollination, is extremely important for the production of a successful fruit harvest. Peach trees are self pollinating, but apple trees require the help of the wind, birds and beneficial insects, such as the bees, to distribute the pollen from tree to tree.

Crab apple trees are excellent pollinators. They are so effective at pollinating other apple varieties, that our forefathers would snip blooming branches from a crab apple tree and place them in a pail of water. The pail would be set out in the middle of their orchard, allowing the bees to easily spread pollen from the crab apple blossoms to the apple tree blossoms, ensuring good pollination and improving the fruit set.

Did you know that the only apple native to North America is the crab apple?

Pruning Season

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 13:20:25 GMT

Snip, Snip...

The Pruned Branch

It is the branch that bears the fruit,

That feels the knife;

To prune it for a larger growth,

A fuller life,

Though every budding twig be lopped,

And every grace

Of swaying tendril, springing leaf

Be lost a space.

Of thou, whose life of joy seems reft.

Of beauty shorn,

Whose aspirations lie in dust,

All bruised and torn,

Rejoice, though each desire, each dream,

Each hope of thine,

Shall fall and fade; it is the hand

Of love Divine

That holds the knife, that cuts and breaks

With tenderest touch,

That thou, whose life has borne some fruit

May now bear much.

- Annie Johnson Flint

Fruit bearing trees are different from shade trees, in that they require annual pruning. During pruning season, the orchard owner feels more like a Surgeon than a Farmer!

This is the season where piles of branches appear under each tree as the Farmer carefully removes damaged limbs, eliminates non fruit producing suckers and controls the height and width of each tree for maximum tree health and fruit production.

Pruning is done with care and careful planning. Gas powered hedge trimmers are no where to be found! Each cut is made by hand, Snip, Snip....

Say Goodbye to Winter

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:24:56 GMT

Heralding Spring

Spring

S pring appears in whispers
and hushed tones,
as the bellowing winter
bows away.
Drowsy flowers come to
attention,
waking from their sleep-
yawning;
with heads turned upward towards
the Maestro called Sun-
I watch with anticipation
as...
the concert begins.
- Author unknown

Quietness reigns over the orchard during the damp, snowy
winter months. The wagons, tractors and barrel train are stored
away. The picnic tables sit idle, without the sound of people
laughing and making memories. The aroma of fresh baked
sweet treats and apple pies doesn’t waft over the neighborhood.
The fruit trees stand barren against the cold winter sky.
The farm stand is silent.
But...as they say, “A farmer’s work is never done”. Winter is the
season for pruning fruit bearing trees, building and equipment
maintenance, as well as preparing for your return to enjoy
another harvest season.
Miraculously, in April the blossoms begin to appear, first in the
peach grove which becomes a Sea of Pink, glorious to behold!
Come May, the entire orchard is bursting with color and the
sound of honey bees and nesting birds fills the air.
The concert has begun .