Week of August 8, 2021

The TAProots Farm’s orchards include a block of STONE FRUIT trees to the east of the graveyard, whose trees protect the fruit trees from sun scalding in the winter. The trees now include 12 plum trees with 4-5 varieties (yellow, red, blue). No plums were produced this year inspite of a heavy bloom, likely due to a late freeze and snow which killed the new fruit. The block also include 5-6 apricot trees planted just a few years ago. There are two nectarine trees heavy with fruit fir the first time this year. In the past, they were prone to fungus damage but we are excited to see them ripening nicely this year. Finally, the main event has been our peach trees, numbering 20 or so. We first planted only two varieties, six of each of Reliance and Fingerlakes Super Hardy. As those succeeded year after year, we added another 10 or so trees with more widespread usage and broader range of ripening dates, such as Redhaven and Cresthaven. The trees were pruned vigorously to retain a vase-like shape in the late winter, fertilized with fruit tree spikes in May, and fruit thinned to every 6 inches in June, with 13 gallons of green fruit dropped. The Reliance trees have been great, providing tree-ripened peaches for sundaes, breakfast, and friends. Almost ready are the Redhavens and Cresthavens for jam and pies. The Finger Lakes Super hardy will wait until September for more jam and dried fruit. The best peach still is the one picked ripe off the tree and enjoyed on the spot by fans of all ages.