Apple trees, with their lush green leaves, fragrant blossoms, and promise of a bountiful harvest, have always been a symbol of growth and prosperity in the horticultural world. They hold a special place in the hearts of gardeners and orchard enthusiasts, and for good reason. Whether you are a seasoned apple tree fanatic or a … Read more
Fruit, particularly tree fruit, is a long-term investment. Farmers need to balance looking ahead to what consumer demand will bring five years down the road with what they are growing and need to sell today. Add to that the disease and pest concerns that typically accompany tree fruit production in many climates, and it’s no … Read more
When establishing a new orchard, growers are usually very diligent in identifying all the components needed for rapid tree establishment, including performing soil tests to determine fertilizer needs. Additionally, the results will indicate whether the pH needs to be adjusted with the goal of attaining pH 6.5. Professor Eric Hanson, from the Horticulture Department at … Read more
Cleaning up at the end of the growing season is often a chore that the producer would gladly ignore. The experts remind us that it is an important aspect of orchard management and maintenance particularly for apple scab control and for reducing rodent damage. In Europe, sheep and apple production were often integrated and sheep … Read more
Happiness to me is biting into an apple. It’s true about nature’s candy – an apple DOES keep the doctor away. And at my age, the fewer doctor visits (aside from the scheduled times), the better. So as an apple fan, I was pleased to read the late-August forecast from the U.S. Apple Association. The … Read more