Winter Maintenance in the Apple Orchard

Jan 27 by in Apples, General, Orchards & Apples, Trees tagged , , , , , , , with 2 comments

 
AppleTree_Pruned1

Apple orchards are popular places at two distinct times of the year – during the spring bloom, when branches are covered in pink and white flowers, and in the fall, when crisp, juicy apples are ready for harvest. Most people don’t realize it, but wintertime in an orchard is important, too. Attention to detail in the off-season makes both the bloom and the harvest better.

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Caramel Apples at Arbor Day Farm

Oct 13 by in Apples, General, Orchards & Apples tagged , , , with no comments

 

Caramel apples are one of the fall season’s finest treats! Here at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, we hand-dip more than 16,000 caramel apples for our guests and visitors during the busy fall season. This short video shows you step by step how we make them.

But the question remains… nuts or no nuts?

Apple Harvest at Arbor Day Farm: A Preview

Aug 31 by in Apples, General, Orchards & Apples, Trees tagged , , , with 5 comments

 

Here in the orchards at Arbor Day Farm, September signals the true start of the apple picking season. A few early varieties (like Paulared) were ready by late summer, but September is when a majority of apples really turn the corner from almost ready to primetime for picking.

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Bring Your Kids to Work Day — Arbor Day Farm Edition

Aug 18 by in Arbor Day, General, Nature, Orchards & Apples tagged , , with no comments

 

Paige talks about her experience at "Bring Your Kids to Work" Day at Arbor Day FarmYesterday was our very first Bring Your Kids to Work Day here at Lied Lodge and Arbor Day Farm. Twenty-four wide-eyed youngsters came to work with their parent and got an up-close and personal look at a day in the work life of mom or dad.

It rained on us a bit, but that didn’t put a damper on the fun. And let’s face it — Arbor Day Farm is the complete opposite of most people’s work environment, with all that green space and fresh air, and all those trees…

We put together this short video highlighting Bring Your Kids to Work Day 2010; kids say it best, don’t they? Enjoy.

Watch the Video — “Bring Your Kids to Work” Day, Arbor Day Farm Edition

Orchards Report: The Apple Tree Bloom is Near

Apr 08 by in General, Orchards & Apples tagged , , , , with 4 comments

 

It’s the million-dollar question that comes around every spring in the apple orchard: “When will the apple trees be in bloom?”

A few people in the orchards industry call this event “prom for apple trees” because every branch is all dressed up with flowers, creating quite a spectacle.

My best estimate for seeing pink and white blooms on trees at Arbor Day Farm this year is right around April 17-21, 2010.

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