More Trees

New Prairie's Class of 2014 Planted the following trees on April 12th, 2011.
Crimson Gold
Gibson Gold
Liberty
Honeycrisp
Galarina
Shizuka
Enterprise
Ruby Jon
Red Cameo

All of these trees add to others from last year for a total of 27 fruit trees. I will have to check to see how many different varieties we have in the orchard. I think we have at least 16 different apple varieties and 2 pear varieties. The students enjoyed planting the trees.

Once again, saw a cow that died (we think from birthing a calf).

Tree Measurers

On Wednesday of this week, student groups of 4 to 6 measured trees and determine who'd they like to pass their trees onto for next year.

Update

On Wednesday of last week, we pinched off the blossoms from the young apple trees to help promote tree growth over fruit production in their early life. We also tied deer repelling flashy tape to the trees.

Update-Three more trees

On Friday, April 9th we added three trees to the orchard. 1 Non-barlett pear for pollination purposes (can't recall which it is right now, 1 yellow delicious, and 1 larger honeycrisp. 4 Student volunteers helped out on a sunny, yet breezy morning.

Orchard is in!

We planted 14 trees today! 2 Honeycrisp, 2 Royal Empire, 2 Pink Lady, 2 Novamac, 2 Novaspy, 2 Bartlett Pears, 1 Zestar, and 1 Gingergold. The weather was beautiful. Pictures and details to follow. A large thanks goes to the folks at Springhope Farm in Galien, MI and Small's Nursery in LaPorte.

More Details to come...

Gathering Supplies

Monday March 29th:
Picked up 16 T-posts at Hacker's Vineyard
Picked up deer soap, trunk guards, deer tape, support tape, and grape ties at Eau Claire Fruit Exchange.
Apple trees at Springhope farm waiting for pickup.

Tuesday March 30th
Picked up 2 Bartlett Pear Trees from Small's nursery

Wednesday March 31st Orchard will be planted.

The Start

Today the groundskeeper and I marked where we will be planting the apple and pear trees.