Rachael Triebel prunes back side branches on floricanes of thornless blackberries, that will bear the crop this summer. |
Over the last week, whenever the weather was conducive, I've removed the winter straw mulch from on top of the strawberry plants, and placed it in the aisles to control weeds and cushion knees when harvesting strawberries. The winter mulch protected strawberry plants from extreme winter cold, and is the reason these berries are called strawberries.
Fruit tree bud development has also been delayed by the cool early spring temperatures. I'm thankful for this, since temperatures here have dropped to 25 or 26 F for 3 of the past 4 nights. Peach flowers have not opened yet, so aren't hurt by these temperatures. It looks like peach bloom will take place about April 1 to 10 this year. Pears will follow in early April, and apples in mid-April.
We still have cracked 'Kanza' pecans and many 'Enterprise' and 'GoldRush' apples for sale, kept in top condition in our cooler. Cracked 'Kanza' pecans are $14.86 + tax for a 5.0-lb. bag with loose shells blown out. Apple prices are still $1.00 less for each 20 lbs. than last fall. Smaller amounts of harvested #1 apples are still $1.21 per pound + tax, but 20 lbs. #1's are now just $22.29 + tax ($1.11 per pound), and 40 lbs. #1's are just $42.73 + tax ($1.06 per pound). Lesser amounts of harvested #2 apples are still $0.83 per pound + tax, but 20 lbs. #2's are now just $14.86 + tax ($0.74 per pound), and 40 lbs. #2's are just $27.87 + tax ($0.70 per pound). You can also get the 40-lb. discount by buying 20 lbs. #1's and 20 lbs. #2's.
We're open by appointment from Dec. 1 to May 31, so phone 620-597-2450 a day or so before coming to get apples or pecans, and leave a message saying when you'll get here, so I can meet you at the sales building. (When we're pruning blackberries at the back of the planting, we can't always see or hear vehicles come in the driveway if people just drop by.) For highway detour directions, scroll to the bottom of the page.