Good year for apples
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 01:11 p.m., June 5, 2008
Updated 01:11 p.m., June 5, 2008
At The Orchard, 1128 N. Highway 99, trees are full of apples, pears, peaches and cherries.
It was a very different picture a year ago when the trees sat bare — virtually no fruit sat on them because of a late freeze that destroyed the blossoms that later would have become fruit.
Bob Karr, owner of The Orchard, walked around the trees recently pointing out the branches bearing fruit. The first set of trees was planted in 1987. The first large block of trees followed in 1992 and another large orchard was planted in 2003, Karr said. Today, The Orchard has more than 20 different varieties of apples and several other varieties of fruit. There are more than 800 apple trees and 100 other trees such as peach, plum and cherry.
And the trees are doing well this year.
“You can see the size of the apples on the trees,” Karr said as he peered into the branches.
Right now, the apples are small and the trees are actively thinning themselves; several small apples lay on the ground.
“If there is an apple every six inches you’ve got plenty of fruit on the tree,” Karr said.
The trees are thinned to ensure there is large fruit. Peaches usually have to be thinned by hand.
“It takes a lot of time in the orchard, but it’s kind of peaceful this time of year,” he said.
To keep his trees healthy, Karr has an underground irrigation system and a nearby pond that supplies the water, which he hasn’t had to use this year because of wet weather. Karr also uses an integrated pest management system, which includes keeping the grass mowed and the aisles free from weeds.
“Then you don’t have to put on as much chemicals,” he said.
Last year, it wasn’t even worth spraying because of the lack of fruit, he added.
Karr said better conditions this year will allow him to open his retail shop at The Orchard in mid-July. He will offer fresh fruit and some specialty items. It wasn’t profitable enough to offer that last year.
Karr said he is looking to a good harvest this year. In The Orchard’s peak harvest time, 300-400 bushels of apples a week are being picked. Extra workers are brought in to help. The harvest also will mean a better presence at the Emporia Farmers Market.
“I really believe in the Farmers Market,” Karr said. “It’s as much as a joy to see other people and the other vendors as it is a money maker.”
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
It looks like Bob is finally going to have a GOOD year!
And it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Really!
Way to go Bob!
I'm going to get my canner & dehydrator out and clear some space in the freezer. Bob's fruit, canned at the peak of freshness this summer, is going to bless my table all year long! Woohoo!!!
And for anyone who didn't get a taste of Bob's peaches two years ago - let me tell ya - once you try these, those ol' Colorado things are going to taste pale by comparison!
June 5, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )