Ontario Fruit Explorers

["Biz Storms" <biz.storms@sympatico.ca>]

Hi Tom,

 

About a year ago you mentioned a cider press operation that presses and stores cider into plastic bags. Two questions – who and where are they? And, if the bags are sealed tight ( heat sealed ? ) do they leave enough room for freezing? We are starting to get into the “season” and I’m trying to organize whether we press at the farm, or store up apples for a few weeks and drive somewhere.

 

Our Pristine apples have ripened about a week earlier than normal, for a second year in a row. This heat for the second year – has pushed many varieties ahead of schedule. Although, they are smaller this year, but still have a nice tangy, spicy taste to them.

 

We also seem to have a ground hog that likes to eat the falls. Even three golden retrievers, running full tilt and barking, haven’t driven it away to less dangerous fields. It also managed to push over and eat the baby ears off all this year’s corn. It’s about time to get out the rabbit and small animal fencing for my husband’s corn and veggie garden. ;-)

 

Last week, we discovered a Sweet Bough, on M.26, that looked like it had suffered a major fireblight attack. Upon closer inspection, and with the wise advice of my apple guy, we have determined that heat and lack of water have caused the damage. This hasn’t appeared on any other tree – but it will be informative to see how this one handles the coming winter, and it’s fruiting habits next year.

 

Cheers, Bizmark.