As if the April freeze wasn’t enough with which to contend, the area was hit again with freezing temperatures on May 8th. The freeze covered a region wide area and this time the apple trees didn’t fare so well. Recorded temperatures in parts of the orchard were as low as 24 degrees. Too cold for fruit trees that were in their most vulnerable stage of development, namely fruit set. Over the next few weeks the damaged fruit will drop off and we will be able to make a better assessment of just what the actual damages are. At this point, things do not look so good, but we have our fingers crossed and are hoping for the best.
Whatever the outcome of the freeze, work in the orchard needs to continue to be done. It is necessary to maintain weed control, keep the trees disease free and protect whatever fruit may have survived from insect infestation and fungus. Weed eaters, sprayers, mowers and tractors are out and about, as well as the man power using this equipment. The pandemic sweeping the area has kept all of us close to the orchard and we’ve “sheltered in place” making the daily trips to the orchard a welcome diversion.
Farmers’ Markets have opened in our area as our state considers these markets as essential businesses. Customers are supporting the markets, looking for fresh produce and the transparency that local growers contribute to the local food chain. It is truly an advantage to know where your food products are grown and who is growing them. Again, please support local growers whenever you can. We are all “in this together.”