Doll's Orchards, LLC

We closed out 2022 without much fanfare and started 2023 with our annual challenge of pruning. Our weather has been somewhat favorable for taking the pruning equipment out into the orchard these past few weeks. Over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, however, the temperatures plummeted to below zero with gusty winds and thus prevented orchard activity during that time frame. The past few weeks more favorable temperatures have given us the opportunity to get out and get the trees in shape for another year.

Some may consider the beginning of our season starting with bloom in the Spring. We actually consider pruning as the beginning of another harvest season. Producing good fruit is dependent on proper pruning. Pruning can only be done when the fruit trees are dormant. Fruit trees can not be shaped like a bush or an ornamental shrub. Not only the dead and broken branches need to be cut away, but the inner growth and “suckers” need to be removed as well. It is imperative that the tree’s fruit gets air, light and moisture. Effective pruning techniques provide all three of these necessities. The trees’ fruits also receive greater benefits from the application of chemicals when the sprays can penetrate the canopy of the trees and get “inside” to the inner fruit bearing limbs.

The below zero temperatures during the Christmas holiday did our peaches no favors. One overnight thermometer reading was minus 18 degrees with bitterly high gusty winds. Mother Nature always has a bag of surprises and maybe no damage was done to the peach trees. Only time will tell at this point. When the trees enter their bloom time we will be able to make a better assessment. Our professor friend (now deceased) from Purdue University always said that zero is the cut off temperature. Every single degree below the zero mark, there will be a ten percent loss of the peach crop. So if this holds true, with the minus eighteen degrees, we can say ” bye, bye peach crop.” But as I have stated before, one never knows for sure what is potentially out there until bloom. Nature always has the last say in the matter.

November has arrived and with it we have seen the first snow of the season. Temperatures were hitting as high as the mid-seventies three days ago and now it’s winter coat weather. Residents of Southeastern Indiana are well aware that if a person doesn’t like the local weather, just wait a day or two and it’ll change.

We’ve been playing “catch up and clean up” these past few weeks since we officially closed for the season. Equipment has been winterized, picking equipment repaired and stored and plans made for our orchard fertilization and rodent control programs. Trying to batten down the hatches before the onset of winter.

Rodents are a very real challenge in the orchard over winter and it’s imperative that a management plan be put in place to effectively control them. Rodents, primarily voles, have done a tremendous amount of damage to the trees in the orchard over the past several years. We’ve noticed more damage done in the U-Pik location this year than in the older trees but that’s not too unusual as young trees are more vulnerable. Voles feed on the trunks and roots of the apple trees. They’re hungry and looking for food so they gnaw on the roots and the bark of the trees and actually girdle the trees causing a slow death.

Managing the orchard floor to reduce a vole’s habitat is critical to keeping vole populations under control. Voles are vertebrates. They rarely live longer than one year. Females can reproduce in three weeks after their own birth and in any season. Female voles can have four litters per year and each litter can contain up to twelve pups. Under these circumstances, it is quite understandable that the vole population in an orchard can increase rapidly.

Orchards are not the only areas that voles will invade. A neighbor’s asparagus patch was completely devastated by a vole invasion. Voles also are attracted to sweet potatoes. Tunnels or “runs” next to plants or trees are evidence of vole activity. A preventative approach is the best way to control vole activity. No one specific approach eradicates the problem. In orchard settings, we practice habitat manipulation and rodenticides. In a home garden setting there are other approaches to use such as exclusion, trapping and repellents.

With colder temperatures, the fruit trees will begin to “go to sleep.” Dormancy is their time to rest after their production season. When the trees become dormant our pruning challenge becomes a priority task on our “to-do” list. Seems like we just put the pruning equipment away and now it’s getting readied to come out of storage and back into the orchard.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! We are truly thankful for all of your support.

Mid-October and it is with bittersweet feelings that we hung up the “Closed for the Season” sign this past weekend. It’s been a great harvest season and again we thank all of our good customers, both old and new, that made it a great sales season as well. We’re so fortunate to have such good support for our “growing business.”

The latest venture, namely the U-Pik orchard, was well visited and enjoyed by those who strolled through the rows of apple trees to pick their own fruit. It was really rewarding to see the children come with their parents and learn about growing and picking fruit. The U-Pik is set up to have different varieties ripen throughout the entire season so we were able to accommodate u-pickers from the time we opened until we sold out of produce this past weekend.

Apologies are extended to those who messaged or commented on this website with questions and did not receive a response from us. We started the season with the best of intentions but the workload became overwhelming at times and no one was able to update and answer comments. Not intentional but something a small family business needs to handle differently in the future. Phone calls or text messages worked better.

We took a deep breath on Monday and then started to busy ourselves with putting picking equipment away, winterizing the spray equipment and deep cleaning the sorting area. The harvest and sales may be over but we always have “to do’s” that need to be addressed. Whether we like it or not, “Ole Man Winter” is just around the corner.

It has been a very busy last six weeks. Peaches ripened, had to be picked, orders filled and now onward we go to harvesting the apple crop. Things have been so busy with harvest that updates have not been posted in a very timely manner. There are just so many hours in a day and time slips away.

Our apple harvest is well underway. We have picked Gingergold, Gala, Blondie, McIntosh and currently finishing picking the ever popular Honeycrisp apple. We have enjoyed getting back to the area Farmers’ Markets and our sales locations have been frequented by many new and old customers. We appreciate seeing and helping customers get the apples that serve their needs. While many are just looking for “out of hand” eating varieties we are noticing more customers interested in making sauce, pie filling and dried apples. We are always willing to answer any questions and help where we can with getting the right variety for the needs of our customers. We have over fifty varieties of apples in the orchards and we will always find something that will work.

Our U-PIK has been attracting families looking for an outdoor experience. You can not get a more “outdoor” experience than enjoying a beautiful blue sky with gentle breezes and walking through the rows of apple trees that are laden with beautiful fruit. It is a truly educational experience for the young as well as the “young at heart.” A great way to get one with Mother Nature. For those who wish to purchase already picked, washed and pre-bagged apples, that option is available also at the U-PIK. A good line of other apple products are available as well.

We invite all of you to check out what we have to offer. Our U-PIK is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. All weekend sales are now conducted at the U-PIK location in order to make things run more smoothly. The home location is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. Just a reminder that messages to our Facebook account is a much better way to comment or get information as we get behind on this website at times. Not intentional, just the way a “non-tech savvy” person such as myself has to deal with things.

“Wet Springs make dry Summers!” How true that “old wives tale” has turned out to be this year. The months of March, April and May were unseasonably wet with rainfall every other day or so. Now, the months of June and July have been unseasonably dry. Predictions of imminent storms have not materialized and things are dry. With the high temperatures (in the 90″s) and dryness, some of the early apple varieties are shedding fruit to preserve and maintain what the tree can sustain.

Due to a later bloom period the development of the apples is about seven to ten days behind our usual harvest schedule. We anticipate offering our Gingergold apple variety to our customers around the 5th to 10th of August. The Zestar and Sansa will be following and then the ever popular Gala.

Since a later bloom produces a later harvest, we have not yet been able to participate in any local Farmers’ Markets. We do, however, encourage your visiting the local markets in your areas to purchase good food from local vendors. Our area vendors are now offering corn, tomatoes, berries and other vegetables and fruits. Visiting your local markets gives you, the customer, transparency. Ask the vendor about how his product is grown, what sprays, fertilizers or other applications of chemical are used in the growing process. Most are more than happy to explain the processes he/she uses.

As food prices skyrocket in the grocery stores, you should not be surprised to see the prices at your local markets have increased as well. Most growers are trying to hold the line in the selling price of their products’ but we can only do so much. Fuel costs, labor costs and packaging/selling costs have just gotten out of control and small growers just can not absorb these increases, they have to be recouped by price increases. Fresh food, however, is really still a great bargain.

Summer has arrived in Southeastern Indiana. The rains of late Spring and the early part of this month have created a lushness in the orchards. The fruit has gone through the stage of cell division and now is in cell growth. Apples are growing significantly every day and very visible.

The apple trees in our orchard have gone through their “June drop.” The home orchardist may be puzzled when the apples appear to be developing normally and then, from a week to several weeks after bloom, a sizeable amount of fruits start dropping to the ground. It is referred to as “June drop” but it may occur as early as May or as late as July depending on the growing region you are in. It appears that all the fruit is on the ground but it is important to remember that only 5% to 10% of a fruit tree’s bloom actually needs to develop into mature fruit for a good crop. “June drop” is Mother Nature’s way to eliminate inferior fruit or excess fruit. Most of the apples laying on the ground have not been pollinated sufficiently. Fruit not pollinated or fertilized sufficiently have few seeds and can not develop into edible fruit. Besides eliminating inferior fruit, “June drop” also sheds excess fruit that the tree cannot feed or its branches cannot support.

Our first variety of apples that we can offer to our customers is the Gingergold. If all progresses as we think, this offering will be available by the first week of August. This apple is one of our favorite early varieties. It is an apple that makes good sauce, great canned apple pie filling but is also an apple that offers a solid texture that customers can enjoy for eating out of hand as well. It won’t be long before these locally grown apples will be made available at the markets and our home location.

Yes, it’s already June. Not officially summer according to the calendar but temperatures here in Southeastern Indiana are such that we’re thinking Summer. Plentiful rainfalls have put planting behind schedule for the grain farmers. However, for our orchard these rains and warm temperatures have created a welcome “lushness.” Deep green foliage with developing fruit is a beautiful sight.

The peach and apple trees survived the ups and downs of the Spring temperatures with lots of consecutively wet days. We experienced “cool” temperatures during and after the trees bloomed but escaped “cold” temperatures that would freeze developing fruit. In short, a more typical Spring season this year.

Plant development depends largely on temperature. The warmer the temperatures, the faster plants develop. The cool weather of early Spring slowed the bud development. We do not want the fruit buds to develop too much too soon. Buds that develop too early (March) in the season become vulnerable to frost damage. Later in the Spring (April) we look forward to Mother Nature to provide warmer temperatures for bud development and bloom and this year Mother Nature did not disappoint. Although our bloom was good, the pollinating period was shortened by days of consecutive rain. However, we are happy to say we will have apples and we WILL have peaches, just not the size of crop we had last season.

The development of the fruit is really fascinating to observe. Every day it grows a little. At this point of time, most of the apples are the size of quarters. The peaches are at about the same size, maybe a little larger. We are working to keep the fruit “clean.” With all the rains and wind our area has been receiving, it is a daily challenge to keep scab and other diseases from affecting the appearance of the fruit.

Along with the lushness and growth of the trees, the inevitable has also occurred, WEEDS. There is the age old formula, Sunlight + Water + Warm Temperatures = WEEDS. The next few weeks’ “to-do” lists include maintaining and controlling the weeds and grasses. The good thing about having an orchard is the fact that we never run out of things to keep us busy.

Almost everyone enjoys a tree-ripened peach, picked fresh from the orchard. Sweet, firm but juicy, with those sweet juices dripping down your chin and hands as you enjoy each delectable bite. Peaches are truly a superior fruit and a great addition to any backyard or orchard.

Probably the greatest drawback of peaches though, is the possibility of an early spring freeze-out of the buds after bloom. Peaches break dormancy as soon as warm weather presents itself. The emerging buds become subject to freezing if a subsequent cold snap occurs. In southeastern Indiana it is not uncommon to experience cold snaps following bloom. We have suffered losses of our peach crop numerous times.

Peaches are self pollinating. A single tree will bear fruit under the right conditions. Soil conditions are critical to peach tree growth and production. Peach trees do not do well in wet areas so it is advisable to avoid wet areas or prepare problem planting sites by berming. Poor drainage and excess water can potentially “drown” your trees.

Best time for planting is during complete dormancy when the peach tree is not actively growing. Dormant bare root trees placed in topsoil have an advantage over those that are potted or in a balled peat mixture. In dry weather the “ball” tends to dry out and in a wet season the “ball” becomes saturated and acts like sponge drowning the root growth. Balling or potting trees is used as a method of maintaining shelf life of trees in garden centers and nursery outlets. Neither process is considered long term.

Prepare the site before planting by working the soil with a spade or plow. Remove sod, weeds and grasses. This is done so the newly planted tree has no competition for soil nutrients or water. Dig a hole large and deep enough to accommodate the spreading feeder roots. Cramping the roots will hinder growth and cause the tree to not anchor itself. Set the tree in the hole, spread the roots, cover the roots with topsoil, tamping as you go. Make sure no air pockets remain and all the roots have contact with the soil. The graft union should be about 2″ above the soil level. Support the newly planted tree with a stake. If a dry period occurs after planing, water the tree. Fruit trees do not like “wet feet,” so do not over water. A good soaking rain will relieve any need for watering.

Planting success depends on your soil, If the soil is fertile and well-drained, it can support any kind of fruit planting. Clay and soggy soils can be problematic. “Ridging, mounding or berming” the planting area slightly higher than between the rows is beneficial.

Peaches always present a challenge to the backyard producer as well as the experienced orchardist. Weather and soil are just a few of the issues that arise. There are many other factors involved in getting that delectable peach from the tree to your table. Just the thought of picking that fresh peach, however, makes the challenges worthwhile.

Our “to-do” list last week was an all out effort to finish the final cleanup of the apple orchards. Our U-PIK orchard is located along a State Highway (SR# 229, north of Oldenburg, Indiana). So besides cleaning up tree prunings and debris in the orchard, we are also faced quite a bit of roadside litter and trash. Most of us agree that roadside litter is a real problem in our communities. Besides “de-beautifying” the countryside, litter and trash is damaging to the environment, poses health and safety concerns, and can reduce property values.

Picking up litter and other people’s trash is NOT our favorite thing to do, but a challenge that needs to be met by us as property owners if we want to keep our community beautiful and “green.” Much of the litter we pick up along our fence line and road ditch is comprised of plastic films, grocery bags, food wrappers and snack bags. Probably fast-food drink cups and plastic beverage bottles make up the major items picked up. Since the pandemic, however, we have also had to deal with discarded face masks and latex gloves. Uggh!

It is a time consuming chore to pick up road side trash and litter. It’s not “once and done” but an ongoing challenge during the entire year. One styrofoam drinking cup chopped up by a mower becomes tens of pieces of litter less than four inches in size. Smaller litter may be less visible, but it’s more difficult to pick up and possibly more damaging to our water supplies as it washes down waterways easily and almost undetectable.

People can choose not to litter. It’s so simple. Think and don’t automatically toss litter out of your vehicle’s window. Just take your litter and trash with you. Dispose of it in a trash container. Learn to recycle and reuse. The EPA has reported that the rate of recycling and reuse is about 32% and account for approximately a half million new jobs and $37.8 billion in wages. Properly managing litter and trash cleanup, recycling when possible, is a win-win for our environment and economy.

When starting the tree pruning several months ago, we wondered if we’d ever be able to say, “finished.” We were facing a daunting challenge as the heavy harvest caused extensive limb breakage and the trees had tremendous growth. However, this past Saturday, March 5th, was a day of celebration. The last trees were pruned and what an awesome feeling it was, knowing that other than maintenance, the equipment could be put away for another year.

Now that the actual trimming is finished, the prunings (brush) laying under the trees will need to be stacked in the aisle ways and mulched. Quite a few labor hours are involved in the clean-up process. Besides stacking the larger limbs in the aisle ways, we rake all the debris from under the trees. This involves the smaller prunings that were cut as well as dropped apples, leaves, weeds and whatever else that took up residence under the apple trees. After the raking is completed the tractor and mulcher are used to pulverize the debris in the aisle ways. Eliminating debris under the trees lessens diseases that may hibernate in the soil, fungus infection and allows easier application of fertilizer and herbicides. Rather than collecting the brush and removing it from the orchard setting, the actual mulching process returns nutrients to the soil.

An important point to remember is that although we prune each tree individually with hand held pruners, the size of our orchard and its topography allows this method of pruning to be conducted. Larger orchards having more acreage and thus more trees, would find our pruning method unfeasible. These orchards rely on more automated pruning methods. However, no matter what method is chosen, proper tree pruning is essential to the overall production of good fruit.