Early Spring in the Orchard

Here we are at the door step of another growing season. We had a good winter in the Finger Lakes, consistently cold with few warm ups. The trees seem behind in their development but I’m pretty sure they are exactly where they are supposed to be. In comparison to last year when we had multiple significant late winter warm ups we are a full month behind in bud development which is good news. The earlier they flower the more likely they get frost freeze damage. So crossing our fingers and hoping for the best!!

We will be engaging in our third year of “no spray, low input” orchard management, dropping all organic pesticides which still can be harmful to the ecosystem. This way of orcharding is inspired by not only doing the best thing for the toads and salamanders under the trees but the birds in the trees and the lichen growing apon the trees. Orcharding in this way encourages the biodiversity of the agroecosystem to right itself, to follow unhindered the path of least resistance within the laws of nature. It is a leap of faith a trust in the strength of the natural systems, as the mandalorian says, “ This is the way.”

Growing apples in this way gives you very little of even the toughest varieties to sell as fresh fruit and it’s even more difficult to grow for longterm storage. Blemishes from insects and a completely complex and diverse bloom of microorganisms on the outside of the fruit which possibly are assisting the apples in degradation after harvest to help seeds be planted and scattered does not help apples store well. But does eating this complex rich bloom of microorganisms enrich the complex microorganisms of our gut!!!!!, you know it!!

And of course pressing apples and fermenting for cider or juice to freeze for kombucha is a good alternative to storing whole apples and that’s what we can do with our low input orcharding.

So looking forward to another year of softly managing and encouraging our trees to produce fruit. So Thankful not only are we, but the toads and salamanders, birds and bees, lichen and moss that we have a vibrant community, local farmers markets and club members to support our land and all it gives.