Doll's Orchards, LLC

Winter pruning has now taken precedence in the orchard.  The apple trees are now fully acclimated to tolerate cold temperatures as they have been exposed to freezing temperatures for several weeks.  We perform most of our maintenance pruning while the trees are dormant.  Dormant pruning allows for better visibility of the branches and increases the speed of the work.  Recently pruned trees can be damaged when there is a sudden drop in temperatures, say 40 to 50 degrees, to 0 degrees or below.  We feel it is better for our trees if we wait to prune until temperatures stay at a more constant temperature for extended periods. Continue reading →

 A new year has begun on the calendar and also in the orchard.  The unseasonable temperatures of late November through mid-December here in the Midwest have put some kinks in the winter work schedule.  Not only is pruning on hold but the peach trees are a little confused if this is Winter or if this is Spring.  Some varieties of peaches are actually showing signs of bud swell.  However, the apple trees are not showing any indications of bud swell and the forecasted colder temperatures for this week will be most welcome.  We were fortunate that the recent precipitation came in the form of rain and not snow.  These late season rains have helped rebuild the water table.  Sometimes it is easy to forget the importance of having a sufficient natural water table.   Most of the time many of us take water for granted.   We turn on the tap and we always have water at our fingertips.  Agriculture demands water.  No water, no food.  It is as simple as that. Continue reading →

Beautiful red delicious!

Harvest is proceeding at a fast pace.  We have finished picking several varieties and have begun to pick Winesaps this past week.  As we harvest Chespeakes, we will also continue to pick our Yellow Delicious. The variety of Yellow Delicious in our orchard is an early variety from Stark’s Brothers’ Nursery in Louisiana, Missouri, dating from the late 1920’s. It is considered a “Golden” delicious.  This particular variety characteristically has the russeting appearance and freckles.    Most consumers are familiar with the “smoothie” yellow apple and they are somewhat surprised at the taste.  Our variety is seldom found in today’s orchards.  Starks’ Brothers was the only nursery growing and marketing this apple in the late 1920’s.   Continue reading →