It's with much regret and much frustration that I tell you we won't have an apple crop this year. What started out as a promising year never came to fruition.
I can tell you what the "Experts" are saying:
The winter was too harsh.
The spring was too wet.
The spring was too hot.
The late cold snap stunted the fruits.
The excessive wind interfered with pollination.
June Drop.
No matter the reason, the results are the same: little to no fruit.
In talking to farming friends, I hear the same lament from most all of them. No apples. Farmer S has one variety. Farmer R has two varieties, assuming they develop past walnut-size in the coming months.
I intend to key a sharp eye on the orchard, and in the unlikely event that a late crop develops, I'll be sure to update you, but in all likelihood, the farm stand won't be open this year.
To my regular customers, I'm very sorry that I won't be able to serve you this season.
To the families who frequent the farm stand on those brisk Saturday afternoons, we'll miss your company.
Regards,
Huck and Jody
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Early Spring Update
Wow has it been a crazy winter time! Something about the 2010-2011 winter season reminds me of a scene from an old Monty Python movie:
'Winter changed to Spring, Spring changed into Summer, Summer changed back into Winter, and Winter gave Spring and Summer a miss and went straight on into Winter.' .
Of course, it's possible that I just watch too much Monty Python :)
One positive for this snowy, rainy, icy, sleety, hail-y weather is that it's replenishing the water table...and after last year's drought that's a great thing.
Late winter and early spring are prime time for pruning and getting ready for the fall crop, so whenever nature has allowed, we've been out trimming trees and treating them with horticultural oils to prevent infestations. Certain natural oils when diluted with water and applied as a spray are effective, even organic, solutions to pests, fungi and various diseases. And the healthier the trees, the healthier and more abundant the harvest. That's good news for everyone! We're narrowing down the the window of time for our opening day....more information coming soon! Until then, Huck and Jody
'Winter changed to Spring, Spring changed into Summer, Summer changed back into Winter, and Winter gave Spring and Summer a miss and went straight on into Winter.' .
Of course, it's possible that I just watch too much Monty Python :)
One positive for this snowy, rainy, icy, sleety, hail-y weather is that it's replenishing the water table...and after last year's drought that's a great thing.
Late winter and early spring are prime time for pruning and getting ready for the fall crop, so whenever nature has allowed, we've been out trimming trees and treating them with horticultural oils to prevent infestations. Certain natural oils when diluted with water and applied as a spray are effective, even organic, solutions to pests, fungi and various diseases. And the healthier the trees, the healthier and more abundant the harvest. That's good news for everyone! We're narrowing down the the window of time for our opening day....more information coming soon! Until then, Huck and Jody
Friday, November 19, 2010
Closed For The Season
It's with a heavy heart and tired feet that we say "Closed For The Season!" 2010 was a roller-coaster of a year! Uplifting and surprising at times, disappointing at others, but over all, a successful year for our little farm.
We want to extend our thanks to our loyal customers, the ones we see week after week, year after year. You know who you are! We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you next year!
We also want to thank our new customers and we sincerely hope that you had an enjoyable experience at Huck's Orchards and will return next year.
We plan to open for the 2011 season sometime in mid-July with corn and early summer apples. As always, we strive to provide the freshest apples and vegetables possible, sensibly raised and picked at the height of their glory!
See you in 2011!
Huck and the Staff @ Huck's Orchards
We want to extend our thanks to our loyal customers, the ones we see week after week, year after year. You know who you are! We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you next year!
We also want to thank our new customers and we sincerely hope that you had an enjoyable experience at Huck's Orchards and will return next year.
We plan to open for the 2011 season sometime in mid-July with corn and early summer apples. As always, we strive to provide the freshest apples and vegetables possible, sensibly raised and picked at the height of their glory!
See you in 2011!
Huck and the Staff @ Huck's Orchards
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Final Weekend!
How is it that today is the final day of October? This year is simply flying by, as is the apple growing season. In fact, Sunday November 6 will be the final day of our 2010 season. We're offering Red and Yellow Delicious, Granny Smith, Rome Beauties and Gold Rush apples as well as our LAST batch of cider for the year. We also have pumpkins and gourds available for fall decorations.
We'll be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10-5, and Sunday 11-4. If you need cider or apples for Thanksgiving pies, make sure you stop in and stock up!!!
To our loyal patrons, we want to say thank you for your business, your patience, your friendship and your tall tales! You make our job worthwhile!
We'll be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10-5, and Sunday 11-4. If you need cider or apples for Thanksgiving pies, make sure you stop in and stock up!!!
To our loyal patrons, we want to say thank you for your business, your patience, your friendship and your tall tales! You make our job worthwhile!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Time Change
It's hard to believe we're nearly half way through October and that winter is just around the corner. The days are getting shorter, the evenings getting longer and the smell of oak leaves and wood fires are in the air here at the farm. After a busy 4 months, the apple growing season is nearly over and with that in mind, we're reducing our store hours through the work week.
Beginning Monday, October 18th, we'll be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9-6 and Sunday from 11-4. We still have a good selection of fall apples, including a couple 'keeping' varieties that will last you well into the winter. AND don't forget to pick up a gallon of cider while it's still available!
As always, we appreciate your patronage!
Beginning Monday, October 18th, we'll be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9-6 and Sunday from 11-4. We still have a good selection of fall apples, including a couple 'keeping' varieties that will last you well into the winter. AND don't forget to pick up a gallon of cider while it's still available!
As always, we appreciate your patronage!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Attention Apple Lovers: Now Is Sweet Time To Buy
From the Sunday, Sept. 5 th Springfield News-Sun, by Kelly Mori
SPRINGFIELD — “Get them before they're gone” is a catchy advertising phrase, but when local apple farmers say it, it’s no gimmick.
An early spring and a hot, late summer have caused this year’s apple crop to mature weeks ahead of schedule, said James (Huck) Beatty, of Huck’s Apple Orchard and Farm. That means if apple lovers wait until the cool nights of late September to pick their favorite apples or to pick up some fresh cider, they’ll be left out in the cold.
For the apple business 2010 could be one of Ohio’s better years, said Bill Dodd, president of Ohio Fruit Growers Marketing Association. The estimated yield for the state, which is the 10th largest apple producer in the country, is about 2.6 million bushels. Last year, which was considered a very good year, produced 2.75 million bushels he said. Not only is the harvest plentiful, “this heat is really sweetening up the apples." The heat has also caused early drop and that’s a problem for farmers, who by regulation, cannot sell apples that fall on the ground.
“I’ve got apples dropping all over the place” Beatty said. “It’s not just me, I’ve talked to other orchards and they’re seeing the same thing.”
Mark Reaver of Reaver Farms in South Charleston owns one of those other orchards. He, too, is experiencing early dropped fruit.
“The (harvest) time between varieties is not spread out this year,” Reaver said. “I planned my trees to spread out so I wouldn’t have to be harvesting all the varieties at once,” he said, “But the early spring, I guess, is what sped the cycle up.”
The “no-drop” policy also applies to cider — which is especially problematic for Beatty who uses multiple varieties of apples for his “secret recipe” cider. His customers don’t expect his cider until the third week of September, but with the early drop he’ll be making it early. With a short shelf life he worries that his customers won’t know his cider is early.
The farmers are quick to admit they worry about their bottom line but they also worry about their regular customers who have counted on them for their favorite varieties.
For example, Galas — normally harvested around the 24th of September — have already been picked, Beatty said.
“I had people in here last week looking for McIntosh,” he said. “Those have already come and gone.”
Apple farming is a year-long process that has a very short harvest season. A number of factors can destroy a crop. Local farms have experienced a couple of them recently.
“In 2007 there was a late frost, “which pretty much wiped out everything,” Reaver said. In 2008, Hurricane Ike blew through the area knocking down more than 70 percent of the crop.
This year could be a good one since the early harvest allows the farmers to sell their fruit early. But they need to get the word out, Dodd said.
“It’s a good-news bad-news situation,” he said. “Our best marketing season is September and October so if your Galas are early it gives you extra time to market them.
“The bad news is the early harvest could catch our customers off guard.”
Dodd suggested that customers call their favorite grower to find out what varieties are available and store hours. Many local orchards, which normally have limited hours during early September, are starting their fall store hours early, he said.
SPRINGFIELD — “Get them before they're gone” is a catchy advertising phrase, but when local apple farmers say it, it’s no gimmick.
An early spring and a hot, late summer have caused this year’s apple crop to mature weeks ahead of schedule, said James (Huck) Beatty, of Huck’s Apple Orchard and Farm. That means if apple lovers wait until the cool nights of late September to pick their favorite apples or to pick up some fresh cider, they’ll be left out in the cold.
For the apple business 2010 could be one of Ohio’s better years, said Bill Dodd, president of Ohio Fruit Growers Marketing Association. The estimated yield for the state, which is the 10th largest apple producer in the country, is about 2.6 million bushels. Last year, which was considered a very good year, produced 2.75 million bushels he said. Not only is the harvest plentiful, “this heat is really sweetening up the apples." The heat has also caused early drop and that’s a problem for farmers, who by regulation, cannot sell apples that fall on the ground.
“I’ve got apples dropping all over the place” Beatty said. “It’s not just me, I’ve talked to other orchards and they’re seeing the same thing.”
Mark Reaver of Reaver Farms in South Charleston owns one of those other orchards. He, too, is experiencing early dropped fruit.
“The (harvest) time between varieties is not spread out this year,” Reaver said. “I planned my trees to spread out so I wouldn’t have to be harvesting all the varieties at once,” he said, “But the early spring, I guess, is what sped the cycle up.”
The “no-drop” policy also applies to cider — which is especially problematic for Beatty who uses multiple varieties of apples for his “secret recipe” cider. His customers don’t expect his cider until the third week of September, but with the early drop he’ll be making it early. With a short shelf life he worries that his customers won’t know his cider is early.
The farmers are quick to admit they worry about their bottom line but they also worry about their regular customers who have counted on them for their favorite varieties.
For example, Galas — normally harvested around the 24th of September — have already been picked, Beatty said.
“I had people in here last week looking for McIntosh,” he said. “Those have already come and gone.”
Apple farming is a year-long process that has a very short harvest season. A number of factors can destroy a crop. Local farms have experienced a couple of them recently.
“In 2007 there was a late frost, “which pretty much wiped out everything,” Reaver said. In 2008, Hurricane Ike blew through the area knocking down more than 70 percent of the crop.
This year could be a good one since the early harvest allows the farmers to sell their fruit early. But they need to get the word out, Dodd said.
“It’s a good-news bad-news situation,” he said. “Our best marketing season is September and October so if your Galas are early it gives you extra time to market them.
“The bad news is the early harvest could catch our customers off guard.”
Dodd suggested that customers call their favorite grower to find out what varieties are available and store hours. Many local orchards, which normally have limited hours during early September, are starting their fall store hours early, he said.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
On Your Mark!
Get set!
Go!
Starting at 9am on Saturday, we'll be offering....
HONEYCRISP APPLES!
This is a first come, first served basis so be there early...they normally sell out FAST!
Also available will be Huck's 100% natural apple cider. This is the real stuff, folks, not the stuff they sell at the supermarket. No added sweeteners or colorings; just pure, natural 100% honest-to-goodness apple cider!
As always, feel free to give us a call!
Go!
Starting at 9am on Saturday, we'll be offering....
HONEYCRISP APPLES!
This is a first come, first served basis so be there early...they normally sell out FAST!
Also available will be Huck's 100% natural apple cider. This is the real stuff, folks, not the stuff they sell at the supermarket. No added sweeteners or colorings; just pure, natural 100% honest-to-goodness apple cider!
As always, feel free to give us a call!
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