Although the trees’ bloom was later than normal, by just about two weeks later, the bloom period was good with favorable temperatures and little rainfall. Favorable weather conditions enabled the bees to work feverishly and nonstop. While the bees collect pollen for honey, we benefit from their efforts by achieving great fruit pollination. Life is good for all parties concerned.
Favorable pollinating weather is temperatures in the seventy degree range, light winds and no rain. Higher temperatures, let’s say in the eighties and above, burn the pollen. Very windy days and rainy conditions keep the bees from flight as they stay out of the elements and remain in their hives. Several local beekeepers transported their hives to the orchard to help keep a good percentage of honey bees out and about to assist us this year.
The trees in our pick-your-own orchard are growing quite nicely. There will not be apples harvested from these trees this year. Instead we are allowing them to develop one more year to gain extra vigor and strength. These trees are a dwarf rootstock and the root systems are more shallow and need a little extra time to grow.
Summer is here and with it comes the scourge of weeds and unwanted vegetation in the orchard. Dealing with weeds and grasses will be an ongoing task for the next three months. Although we grow by conventional means, we do not like to overuse herbicides on the orchard floor. We get out the weedeaters. Not really my favorite thing to do, but something that needs to be tackled with gusto and determination. Too many weeds under and between the trees can take away much needed moisture from the fruit trees during the summer months when rainfall is sometimes minimal.