Pruning has been finished in the orchards for another year. It was a real challenge this season as we were having to deal with so much inclement weather. However, the equipment has been cleaned, repairs made and we’ve put it away for another year. Work now involves the cleanup of brush and prunings that are under the trees and in the aisleways of the orchard. Branches and debris laying under the trees are raked by hand into the aisleways. Then a flail mower/mulcher is used to grind the brush and mulch it. The mulch remains on the ground to add nutrients to the soil.
Pruning is really just the start of our current year’s growing season. The next challenges are getting the “dormant” oil spray ad pre-emergence herbicides applied. Sure sounds easy but once again growers are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Finding the “right” weather conditions for proper applications is the problem. Best results are achieved when wind speeds are minimal and weather temperatures are moderate to warm.
New trees are on the schedule to be planted. Most of our trees will be replacements for those lost to attrition. The first and most important step in planting trees is planning. We try not to interplant new trees with those trees already established. Sometimes, though, that’s necessary to do. When we plant a new area we measure length of rows, distance between rows and determine the spacing for each tree. Both row and tree spacing are determined by type of rootstock chosen and potential growth of the trees. Placing stakes as markers helps visualize the tree and row spacings. Stakes also mark the spot for digging the hole when planting. Straight and even tree plantings are necessary in an orchard for efficiency of equipment usage and harvest.
As this post is being made it appears all orchard work will again be on hold for several days. Winter has returned and we will need to await a warm-up in temperatures and a lessening in 20 mph wind speeds.