SPARTA, MICH. – No matter what Punxsutawney Phil said, winter rages on in Michigan. By mid-February, the Grand Rapids area had received 103 inches of snow for the season – quite possibly a record, say local meteorologists. For perspective, the typical seasonal average is 75 inches.
In addition, the Great Lakes surrounding Michigan (Superior, Huron and Michigan) also have an unprecedented amount of ice cover. And winter isn’t over yet!
February is tree-trimming time
No matter how cold and snowy, February is a busy time in the orchard. All Riveridge growers are out pruning branches to obtain better control over fruit size, to strengthen the tree and remove broken limbs.
Sometimes they even have to snowblow the orchard aisles in order to get the job done!
One of the newer techniques Riveridge growers use in the orchard is called bud counting. After a significant number of “chilling hours” have passed, the tree begins to differentiate its dormant buds. Some of them are vegetative (leaf producing) and some are fruiting buds.
By cutting dormant branches, bringing them inside in large pails and “forcing” them to begin developing, we can determine the ratio of these buds. This, in turn, informs the pruning supervisor how many buds should be left on the tree.
It’s an example of how advanced biology contributes to good apple management.
Winter is also planning time
Another important winter job is planning for the future. Good growers annually evaluate orchard performance, develop planting plans for the next several years, order trees and trellising materials and other factors.
Riveridge works with growers to plant the varieties and strains that consumers want to buy. Growers are also rotating out old strains of popular varieties for better color and flavor.
Visit the Riveridge Produce channel on You Tube. We have a new video on our in-orchard sustainability practices at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oauVkdDfo0U .
We’re also prepared to work with you on promotions including #socialmedia.
Sincerely,
Melissa Dubridge Russell Comport Don Armock