• The Orchard

    2018 – North Star Pie Cherry

    I don’t know if it was the location or simply the breed. However the North Star Pie Cherry grew the best last year. The deer got a hold of it at the end of the year but it turned out to be for the best as they pruned it and caused the limbs to branch evenly. Looking forward to seeing how it grows in 2018.

  • The Orchard

    2018 : Blackgold Sweet Cherry

    The Blackgold Sweet Cherry is the only standard tree we’ve planted. If all goes well it should really fill out, however so far we haven’t seen any actual growth. Last year (planted) there were several leaves but no vertical growth. I’m hoping that means it was focusing on its roots. Stay tuned as I’m hoping to take monthly updates to track its growth this year.

  • The Orchard

    Spring Shopping – Orchard Edition

    Spring Cleaning on the ridge starts with Shopping! What new trees, bushes and plants are we adding to the orchard this year? The short and simple answer would be everything and anything, the more realistic approach would be to wait and see how all the plantings last year did through the winter. My answer why put off to next year what can be done today. This year we’ll be planting a nectarine tree, 2 plum trees, 3 pear trees, blackberries and black raspberries. Should be able to get some red raspberries from the neighbors and some pink from the parents to finish my vision for the raspberry patch. I’m not…

  • Keeper Notes,  The Orchard

    Dear Deer:

    Please stay out of my yard. That’s not to hard to do is it? All week I’ve been seeing a few leaves plucked from a random apple tree, not worrying about it too much. Lo and Behold I’m walking around the house today and our cherry tree in front of the house has been completely stripped of leaves. We’ve tried deer repellent spray, and garlic oil… now we’ve upgraded to fencing.  Only time will tell but so far all the trees and bushes have bounced back from all deer attacks. Oddly they haven’t touched the blue berry bushes, hopefully writing this doesn’t jinx me. Pro Tip: don’t have any stakes.…

  • The Orchard

    A Walk around the Yard

    With any new plantings you never know how they will do, its so exciting to see everything doing well. The strawberries are greener if not quite filling in yet. Apple trees are putting on some new growth and the smaller of the tart cherries is filling in. The blueberry bushes aren’t putting much foliage on but the coloring looks good. I wasn’t sure how the raspberry bushes would do but they are looking great.