Today I made a delivery run to Nesbitt Orchard in Vincennes, IN. They started carrying PourAPie a couple of months ago and just through word of mouth, it has caught on in a big way. Thanks Steve and Linda.
While I was there, I cornered poor Steve, a longtime fruit grower. I think he is the 3rd generation at the orchard but I'm not positive. I thought what better way to learn what I needed to know than from someone who has done this his whole life. He was very gracious and slowly walked me through the entire process for peaches and apples. You could tell his passion lies with peaches. Knox County has sandy soil so the best peaches and watermelons are grown there. Ever had a peach right off the tree or a melon warm from the field? You can't beat the taste!
I learned things that I had only marginal knowledge about. For instance: did you know that peaches have to be thinned from the tree. I knew you had to thin them if you wanted a strong tree and big, sweet peaches. I did not know to the extent you had to thin. One way Steve suggested was to take a toilet brush (new of course) and run it over the limbs while the tree is in bloom. My first reaction was heart break. Is there nothing more breath taking than peach blooms in the spring? But I had to remind myself that I am in this for business and food, so I will toilet brush my peach trees 2 times each this spring. If I shed a tear while doing it, only the bees and I will know.
But for now, weather permitting, I will be out trimming trees A LOT. Apparently gentle hands with tree trimming is not what is needed. I will hatchet these trees and see if I can get a crop this year or next.
Moral to this story::: Don't be afraid to ask for help. People are more than willing to share their knowledge. I think Steve enjoyed having an apprentice this afternoon. At least that is my story and I'm sticking to it.
See ya on the farm
Charlotte
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