Applecrest's Growing Practices

Our goal is to preserve the health of our orchards for our children and future generations. We strive to be sensitive and respectful of the environment by using a combination of old-school farming techniques and cutting-edge technology to sustainably grow the highest quality fruit and vegetables. We weed by hand, plant cover crops, and use plastic sheeting to inhibit weed growth. We rotate our crops to keep the soil nutrient rich and were one of the first farms in NH to initiate an *integrated pest management program so that we use the smallest amount of the safest pesticides only when absolutely necessary.

We understand that you are placing your trust in us to provide a safe, healthy product. We strive to grow fruit and produce that's healthy for those eating it, those working here in our orchards, and for the land itself.

*Nearly thirty years ago, Applecrest became one of the first farms in NH to adopt the ecologically sound practices of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Since then, the farm has remained a pioneer in employing natural predators and parasites, pest-resistant cultivars and various other techniques that significantly reduce the requisite amount of non-organic materials to produce hearty and healthy crops for the local community.

Winter
While the trees are dormant, pruning begins. Tree limbs are selectively removed to allow for maximum sunlight exposure and to provide space for the strongest limbs to prosper. Pruning results in trees that produce larger, better-colored, and higher quality fruit.

Spring
During late April and early May the buds pop out on the apple, nectarine, and peach trees. We keep a careful eye on the thermometer as the trees are very susceptible to frost. At times, we've had to hire helicopters to fly over the orchards to keep the warm air down and the killing frost away. Spring is one of the most beautiful and exciting times of year here as the trees are full of pink flowers. Local and far-flung beekeepers move their hives in quickly, usually at night so the bees are safe in their hives and not flitting about. We pray for sunny, mild days during bloom so the bees will leave the hives and pollinate. Without pollination we have no fruit! After the bloom, we begin fruit thinning, a process critical in determining the size of the crop. At this time we are also busy preparing our fields for vegetable planting.

Summer
In the summer months we begin mowing, weeding, and mulching around our berry plants. By this time, pumpkins have been planted, as has the corn. Crops are irrigated during periods of dry weather as fruit size and firmness are affected by moisture levels. Strawberries, blueberries, and peaches are being picked, and August is the last growing month before most of the apple varieties begin to ripen. Mowing continues throughout the orchard, ladders are repaired, and the fall harvest plans are being finalized.

Fall
With apple trees all bearing fruit that must be hand-picked, there is a constant buzz of activity until the last of the fruit comes off the trees, near the end of October. Once picked, our fruits are all sorted and graded at our Packing House. Some of our crop is stored in Controlled Atmosphere rooms, in which the temperature is reduced and oxygen levels are reduced to slow ripening. Apples brought out of these rooms later will taste as fresh as the day they were picked! Many of our fresh apples are used for our famous apple pies and apple sauce, and our packing house staff is busy everyday peeling and slicing fresh apples for our Bakery.