applesfirst

Every year it is something new. This year added relentless storms. Gusts up to 40mph all day today after 2 tornado near misses this week. BITE ME! on MM111 in row 2 was at a 45 degree angle. Had to stake it. I might need to plant a wind break on the West side of the orchard if the MM111 can't take it.

Finally dug the ditch to drain water away from the trees between rows 2 and 3...and I'm feeling it today. Planted beans down either side, need to get some clover as well. Got down to 37 this morning.

Top work over to Golden Russet died. I think the freeze did it in. Had one other graft that died as well. There was some Cherub scions still in the fridge. See if it takes.

The rain has finally stopped...at least for a week or so. Sprayed the first round of Kaolin clay on the fruitlets. Not as much fruit set as I had hoped for. Good enough though.

This year's seedlings. Seeds from Skillcult.

1. Gold Rush X Dutch Master
2. Williams Pride X Kerry Pippin
3. Williams Pride X Pink Parfait
4. Red Flesh Columnar X Sugarwood
5. Wickson X Gold Russet
6. Savory X OP

The first graft of Matrim pushing growth fast. Grafted 40 days ago.

Some apple and quince blooms still going and fruitlets forming. Potential frost tonight.

Added chicken litter to the new alley rows. Added some much needed organic matter for the flowers and vegetables. The fall sowing of peas and oats left very little residue. Should have planted an early spring cover crop.

Took a bud off Elyas (Which is open pollinated from unknown early varieties). This has to be inner bud tissue being pushed with the leaves and has no chlorophyll? Never seen this before.

Elyas is looking pretty strange. Leaves and petals are just emerging and are long and slender. Need to keep an eye on him this week.

We get new robins every year.

test post on the new system

Hazelnuts sprouting

Couple of row covers and some incandescent Christmas lights kept these couple of trees about 10 degrees warmer than o...

Future cider

Half of my apples are blooming and here comes the freeze. ðŸ˜

And it's the first apple to bloom, even before Maypole.
Idared X OP 2022 - 4

Red wood, leaves, and buds. Good chance it will be a red fleshed apple?

Pea mutant in the gutter peas

Red leaved seedling apple going to bloom this year. 4 years old on its own roots.

Idared x OP 2022 - 4

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) from my county extension for about a dollar and a half a piece. Felt like robbery,...

Apple grafting day. Bench grafting for a new cider row in the orchard and top working some existing trees.

Trying ou...

Happy Spring Equinox

Perimeter defenses deployed. 🤣 Trying all the non toxic ways to deter the upcoming slug onslaught. Can't hurt at l...

Pussy willow catkins. Another sign of spring.

Snowing outside, but its time to start onions, leeks, and cabbages.

Wonder who did that lol 🐇

Hazel catkins

Stay warm out there.

Winter is back

Top dressing the raised beds with chicken compost...in January. Climate change is something else. It was 60°F / 15...

Germination testing 3 year old saved onion and leek seeds.
Rossa di Milano onions
Bulgarian Giant Leeks (overwintere...