Author Archives: Patty Doll

About Patty Doll

Owner, operator, picker, seller, customer service, and grass mower for Doll's Orchard, LLC.

June Drop in Apples: It is a Good Thing

Welcome rains have come to the orchard this week.  Conditions were getting dry and we were concerned about the new plantings and the stress that the trees were undergoing because of the lack of rain. Things are looking better now. “June … Continue reading

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Replanting and Grafting Apple Trees

It was a misnomer on my part and it took me some years down the road of life to realize differently, but fruit trees do not have an infinite life span.  Disease, rodents, the ravages of nature, all take a tremendous … Continue reading

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2015 Bloom is Here!

Right on schedule, the orchard is in full bloom this week.  Typically, the third week of April, usually around the 25th of the month, the orchard bursts with fruit blossoms.  Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful is the only way to describe it.  … Continue reading

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Spring has sprung?

Winter was thought to be behind us, but these past two nights have once again been cold and today there were snow flurries again.  Ah, the changeable Indiana weather!  Growing up, I was told that if you don’t like today’s … Continue reading

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Cold Weather and Snow

A winter storm moved through this area this past weekend leaving behind five inches of snow and plummeting temperatures.  Subzero readings are predicted for this week.  Up until this recent storm, our winter season was relatively mild with little snow, mostly … Continue reading

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Pruning our Apple Orchard

Orchard work is an all year long endeavor.  Holidays are over, trees are dormant and so out we go to start pruning. The moderately warm temperatures of late December provided us an opportune time to begin pruning in the apple orchards.  … Continue reading

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Welcome Winter!

Welcome Winter!  Within the last six weeks, the orchard has gone from trees laden with fruit to be harvested to  the first appreciable accumulation of snow today.  Winter has arrived in the Midwest and a bit earlier than we would … Continue reading

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Early September Update: How We Pick Apples

So, what’s new at the orchard? As the waning days of August become the first days of September, we continue our efforts to harvest apples.  The Gingergold have been picked, as also the Gala.  We are finishing the McIntosh and the … Continue reading

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Eating v/s Cooking Applies

As I explain the characteristics of our apples at market, customers often ask what qualities differentiate an “eating” apple from a “cooking” apple.  First, it is important to keep in mind that any variety of apple can be cooked and any variety of apple … Continue reading

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Summer Rains, Cool Temperatures and Delayed Harvest

Gingergold Apples have not ripened as soon as we had hoped.  Looking like we are about seven days behind our usual picking schedule.  There is no need to be concerned.  This delay in harvest is due to milder temperatures experienced this … Continue reading

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