Our "Little Apple Tree" has apples this year! They are beautiful from the top-side. We are so excited--this is the first year the tree is bearing fruit (after about 5 years of anticipation!) We got about 45 apples from this first harvest. Delicious!
We didn't spray or douse the tree with any chemicals or clay, or whatever. My husband is Mr. Organic is not a fan of "better living through chemistry." (Neither am I, really.) We do have some worms--so next year, we'll study up on what needs to be done. I don't really want to share these beauties with the worms, but I guess having to cut out 1 section of apple isn't so bad. The worms like these apples, too.
It was a slow start for this little tree. 5 years ago, our friend Kevin Bradley (of Edible Forest Nursery) gave us a sapling to plant. We planted it in the back yard. I put the white plastic around the truck to keep the winter sun from splitting th bark. I thought that would be enough to keep the rabbits away from it, but the critters managed to "ring" the bark. That first little tree died. Sigh! We got a second one soon after, and planted it--and fortified it. Around this little tree is a 4-foot fence to keep the dogs out. This spring, Maggie (the 85-lb Newfie) was jumping up to break off apple branch sticks to chew on! Not a good idea, Mags!
Here's the report from the Minnesota Extention Office on Honey Crisp. I think this variety was developed in Minnesota to do well in the colder climes.
Again, the season seems to be ahead of other years. Honey Crisp are considered a September apple. The color and sweetness are just about perfect NOW, and it's still August. It's got to be Global Warming ...
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