Mad Tom Orchard

We and the orchard have had a generally good winter – no major adverse weather though we did get 36 inches of wet snow March 14.  Pruning is done and most of the brush has been picked up and run thru the big chipper.

The picture shows leaves on the trees now at “1/2 inch green” and the fruit buds will be at “tight cluster” by this weekend.  There is no forecast for frost in the near term and there are plenty of fruit buds – so off to a good start, but months to go until harvest.

Sylvia and I managed to avoid COVID for just over three years since the start in March 2020 – that luck ran out this year at the end of March when we both tested positive – symptoms have generally been a lot of fatigue and head congestion/cold symptoms.  Unfortunately we got a second COVID round after completing the Paxlovid cycle, but we are now getting thru that as well.

Jilly our 15 year old Shih Tzu passed away in February from cancer and we now have three months old Janey from the same breeder. She is very alert and rapidly figuring out the daily routines – follows us closely on walks thru the orchard and wants to explore everything.

I will post periodically as we go thru the growing season – look forward to seeing folks in the fall.

Zestars at 1/2 inch green

Janey paying close attention.

Two nice days this week to wind up this years harvest, which was one of our biggest.  We enjoy many of you who come every year, and seeing lots of new faces as well.  Glad so many people are able to enjoy this beautiful part of Vermont.   Almost all the apples are picked.  Vermont Food Bank will come for gleaning tomorrow.

You can find good local already picked apples and other excellent produce at Dutton’s Farm Stand on RT 11&30 in Manchester.

Put us on your calendars for Labor Day weekend. Thanks to ALL the folks who came out to pick and best wishes for a happy and healthy year to come.

Our last two days will be Tuesday & Wednesday October 11 & 12.  Most apples are picked, but there are still some Macintosh, Gala, Empire and Cortland plus good PYO drops at half price.  Gleaners from the Food Bank will come in Thursday.

We had great turn out for windup weekend – weather was good – views of the fall color on the mountains were hard to improve on – donut kitchen turned out another 3000 plus donuts and is being cleaned up for next year.  Cider sold out by noon on Sunday as I expected – you can buy more at Dutton’s Farm Stand In Manchester.  Good supply of Havoc Hill maple syrup on hand.

Come tomorrow or Wednesday to get your last apples for this year and put us on your calendar for next year starting Labor Day weekend.  Photo shows us closing up on a recent evening. Thanks for making it a record season.

Saturday & Sunday October 8 & 9 will be our last weekend.  We will be closed on Monday but plan to be open Tuesday & Wednesday October 11 & 12.  Good supply of Macintosh, Gala, Empire – lesser amounts of Cortland, Macoun & Crimson Crisp.  The few Honeycrisp left at the bottom of the orchard will be gone soon.  Lots of upick drop’s are available at half price.

We are restocked on maple syrup and cider – cider will likely run out by mid day Sunday.  We will have donuts on Saturday & Sunday.

Photo shows we are getting some good fall color – dress warmly, it will be chilly.  Come help us wind up a very good season.

LOTS of happy customers last weekend.  Lots of good apples still ready to be picked.  Crimson Crisp and Empire are now ready for picking.  Good picking for Macintosh, Cortland, Gala and Macoun.  Honeycrisps are still available for folks who walk down the hill, though not as many as the last two weekends.

Good supply of Havoc Hill maple syrup.  200 1/2 gallons and 50 gallons of cider on hand – we will probably run out sometime on Sunday.  The donut makers are ready to go back in action on Saturday & Sunday – last weekend they made 3200 donuts.

Phos show some fine Crimson Crisp and Empires – come get your next round of apples.  Our last weekend will be Columbus Day weekend – October 8 & 9.