About Apple Farming
Many are under the impression that apple farming takes a three-month commitment at harvest time and that the remaining months of the year are free from work. While the harvest of the apples is approximately three months in duration, the actual farming process is a year round commitment. During the winter months all of the trees are pruned to rid the tree of unproductive wood and promote new growth in the coming season. The pruning is done in the winter months while the trees are dormant. Once the pruning is complete the prunings are removed from the orchard and discarded. During the winter months it is also extremely important to keep the centers of the tree rows tilled in order to maximize water absorption. Once the pruning is finished and the rainy season is on its way out the door, the apple blossoms begin to set. This season, referred to as "bloom-time,” generally spans over six weeks. During the time that the bloom is set, the tree is most susceptible to disease and frost damage. Just as humans take vitamins to maintain good health during the flu season, the apple trees are treated with nutrients to help maintain their health during bloom-time. After the blossoms have fallen the fruit begins to grow. Apples, at their youngest age of formation, are approximately the size of a cherry seed. Once the apples have reached approximately ¾ of one inch in diameter it is time to begin thinning. Thinning is the process of clipping out the smaller fruit and eliminating large clusters. The chief goal of thinning is to eliminate the smaller, weaker fruit so that the growing energy is directed towards the larger, healthier fruit. Thinning takes place in late May and lasts until late June. Another essential task that is performed during the same time of late May through late June is that of weed control. It is very important to maintain a clean, weed-free orchard so that work, especially harvesting, can be done with ease. During the months of June -September, water is applied approximately three times per week to the orchard. Watering is extremely important for the health of the tree and the quality/size of the fruit. During the month of July the fruit begins to size rapidly and more nutrients are applied to maintain optimal health. At the end of July and the beginning of August preparations begin for the harvest and sales season. Towards mid to late August the harvest begins with the Gala variety. The harvest generally lasts through the end of October and fresh apples are usually available through the beginning of November. Once the harvest and sales are complete, the cycle immediately begins again!
Apple farming at the ten acre Pulford Appltree Orchard is a year round commitment that demands a dedicated team of workers and specialists of six to ten people to ensure that the operations run smoothly from the time the first blossom opens to the time the last apple is sold.
