Phase 2 has arrived. That is better known as the fruit set. First we had the bloom period and now we have the fruit set. Right now, the apples are about the size of a pea or a nickel on some of the trees. We then will have what's known as the June drop. Thats when the tree thins itself out and gets rid of a pretty good amount of the apples. The tree seems to know what it can handle. Those that remain will become this falls crop. I usually go out and hand thin trees that are extra heavy with fruit. Too much fruit on a tree can hurt it and certain varieties are better at this than others. This is also the time when bugs decide that they also like apples. I put alot of traps in the orchard and because I also raise bees, I am very particular about what I spray on my trees. I usr an organic pesticide that only gets the caterpillars that I am after and doesn't hurt the bees at all. The trees get stressed by all sorts of things and last nights storm wasn't any different. We lost a bunch of trees because of it. It didnt last too long but the trees we lost were snapped off like a tornado had come through. The last few years have been a test of patience for sure and this summer seems to be no different. We just need to pray for a decent amount of rain and a few less storms. I guess when we all look at it, this summer seems to be like the last few. We made it through those and I'm sure we can make it through this one too!
