Facing Our Small Apple Crop

Growing fruit in the Midwest is not easy. This year some of our apple varieties were severely affected by a late frost and subsequent hail storm. Learn how frost events in the late spring can affect some plantings and varieties more than others.

[@karllazlo6237]

Thank you for educating us on how the land actually can shape the effects of frost on apples. Great video.

[@Deltonagardens]

Hmm I wonder if you could include the use of Smudge pots and the fans...

[@Kickapookid]

This channel is awesome!! I hope to visit your orchard in the near future.

[@richarddetriquet9642]

I had the same issue here at my orchard in Central Va. zone 7a. Trees were in full bloom, then hit with 2 sub 15 degree nights. Damage was extensive to both blossoms and green tips. The orchard sitting in a wonderful microclimate with good air drainage could not counteract the sustained cold.

[@andysmith8544]

Sorry to hear this, I can certainly relate. We experienced temps of 24.1F on 5/18 this spring and my young orchard is quite bare this fall.

[@Catacomb5]

That sucks. Hopefully you guys have crop insurance and a good year next year.

[@Deltonagardens]

Just an idea but what about laying 6-10" tall of chipped mulch around the lines of your trees and in the gaps you have between them. Kinda like a hotdog bun on each side of the rootball and then filling in the gaps between each tree. In Florida we use this technique so the composting mulch holds some heat and moisture. Not to mention the sun doesnt cook the soil, instead aids in the composting of the mulch. At the coldest nights you can move back 6" of mulch and feel the warmth, I would assume this helps hold some slight heat. **we dont have the same sorta issues with rodents as you folks do so I could see that being a concern of building prime habitat for things to chew on your bark.

[@WilsonsOrchardFarm]

Another solution we're looking into are wind machines. Essentially small windmills that we would set up around the orchard and let them run at night. This would help mix up the warm air with the cold to prevent that frost pocket from settling.

[@kahvac]

@@WilsonsOrchardFarm Sounds good... maybe buy one or two and see how that works ?