Two nights ago, I emailed a friend who helps us with social media. This is what I said:
“I am just wondering about your take on a social media decision that we need to make. Two days ago we were hit by an incredible hail storm. Only 5-6 minutes but hail that was the size of small ice cubes, and jagged like broken glass with winds up to 100 km/hour. Needless to say, the orchard was decimated. They are estimating damage to 70-80 percent of the apples. We are sort of in shock and trying to decide what to say. Do we post this on the website? We will need people to know but we don’t want them to decide not to come at all. As I keep pointing out, that means that there are still 20-30 percent good apples. We could also say that many of the apples that were affected are still edible and cookable and would be discounted. When would we put this up? What do you think?”
Her response was that we should share this news. We intended, when starting this, to share all news, the good and the bad. We just didn’t expect that the bad would be so bad this year. Now, a few days later, we are still in shock and struggling with how to manage the crop this year. There are still many lovely apples out there, and even the damaged ones will be great for cooking, eating and juice. The size of the hail marks will diminish as they grow although they will show as bruises under the skin-as such, not first quality.
We are hoping that the squash will recover. One of our orchard buddies was talking to Chris on the weekend, before the hail descended, and said, “How do you become a millionaire as a farmer? Start as a billionaire!” Farming always has had it risks and its tragedies, climate change has made it much more challenging. However, it is a life we love! We will keep the site updated! Below see the Macs, squash and the hail.
ll y a quelque jours, J’ai écrit un couriel a une amie qui nous aide avec les media socials. Voici mon message: (traduction de l’anglais original)
“Nous nous demandons ton impression de quoi qu’il faut faire au media social avec une décision importante. Il y a deux jours qu’ une grêlage horrible a passé dans le verger et jardin. La grêle dans une forme de petites cubes de glace avec des bords dentelés. Disons seulement que le feuillage et les pommes etaient décimées. L’évaluation des dommages aux pommes est de 70-80%. Nous sommes dans un état de choc et nous essayons décider a quoi dire au public. Poster sur notre site?? Il faudra les informer, mais aussi de les assurer qu’ils pourrons venir pareilles. Je continue a dire qu’il nous reste 20-30% de pommes non touchées et que les pommes grêlées sont toujours bonne à manger et à cuisinier, et qu’elles seront au prix reduit. Quand faire savoir le grand public?? Tes pensées??”
Voici son réponse:
“ Partage les nouvelles. L’intention du blog du verger au commencement était de partager tous les nouvelles, les bonnes et les mauvaises”.
Pour vrai dire, nous n’attendaient point que les mauvaises nouvelles ne seront pas si mauvaises ni si tôt. Et maintenant, après quelque jours, nous continuons d’avoir les difficultées avec les décisions de gestion de la récolte. Il y en a encore des belles pommes, et mêmes les endommagées seront bonnes à manger, à cuisinier et a transformées pour le jus. La grandeur des pocs de la grêle vont diminuer pendant que les pommes grandissent, bien qu’elles montreront une brunissments au dessou le poc-mais le déclassement est fait. Nous pensons que les courges et citrouilles vont récoupées leur vigeur.
Un de nos amis, qui aussi a un verger, nous avons fait souvenir comment faire un million de dollars en pommiculture: “Commencer avec un milliard….”. L’agriculture est un risque, et n’est pas sans tragédie.
Les changements climatiques présentent aussi plus fréquements les défies. Néamoins c’est une vie que nous aimons, et nous allons poursuivre avec les nouvelles sur le site-web. Les photos sont en dessous.
Mother Nature can be cruel sometimes. Chins up – nature always finds a way.
I love these guys commitment to the apples, to a healthy way of life and to all things “Canadian”. A bit of bruising along life’s way? Happens to all of us…..! And as for “…an apple a day keeping the doctor away?”….Sure! I’ll gladly buy a bushel! Joy
Looking forward to this year’s crop of apples and squash as they will still taste the same despite their appearance. The apples will make delicious juice and desserts, too.
We’ll see you soon. The very earliest are expected in less than 2 weeks. The fans of REALLY (i.e unripe) tart apples are already visiting!
They still be apples! I will be buying some, for sure!
Hi Lynn,
sorry to hear about recent events at the Orchard… indeed Mother Nature can be cruel!!!That said, glad to hear that some of the crop will be salvalged and we look forward to some yummy apples this Fall. Best to you and Chris.
I’ll take your apples over store-bought any day! It is an annual tradition that will continue this year. Can’t wait to get my bushel!!
Hang in there, Lynn and Chris! As others have said, even the damaged fruit will be as tasty as ever in sauces, juices, etc., and there are still all of the apples that weren’t touched by the storm to be enjoyed in the usual way!
Yes, quite the treasure hunt. We just thinned a bunch of trees, taking off the worst of the damage, but no way we can do that for the whole orchard. We’d need an army of volunteers for that. Anyway we go one tree at a time till then.
Perfect, apples for jam (discount) and apples for cereal. See you soon.
Quite a blow, but you’ll be okay. Perhaps the subject of a new song?
Perhaps, but I have a couple of songs in the same category that are still waiting for their turn in the studio.
What devastating news, but as others have said the apples will still be good for eating, you can eat around the bruises, and the apples will be good for cooking.
Keep smiling as hard as it is some days.
Ruth
Thanks, Ruth, we are still smiling! The orchard is still beautiful and there is always next year. I agree about eating around the bruises!
Thanks for sharing the news. As a farmer you need a strong supportive community. I don’t mind some blemishes – real food is not supposed to be perfect! Glad you are left with some of the crop and I’ll be happy to support you when the time comes.
How about the “Brushed Apple Cookbook”? Oh, and the Bruised Apple Apple Pie Plate?
Seriously, I can only imagine what this must feel like. Put us down for some bruished apples.
Vicki
Lynn and Chris, we’re really sorry to hear about the damage your crops have incurred. As my Chris and i are always saying at market – we do not grow super model food….we grow REAL food. Your fruits and veggies will be delicious, and we look forward to them every year. Big hugs to both of you…and bring on the apples!!
This is news to me! What a time for a hail storm! Your orchard and apples are as tempting and beautiful as always, though. Congrats on getting the blog up and running!
Lyn I am so sorry tohear of this’challenge’ Hope the sisters still get some apples with their sweetnotes.
Hang in there Lynn! Your apple eating Sistas will be there for you in September.
Until them… Throw , Throw, Throw!😊 oh and sing , sing, sing!
Your apples are amazing, I am sure they will still be great, looking forward to buying some in the fall when we are back singing!
We won’t mind how your apples LOOK if they are as scrumptious and delicious as in years gone by! Just thinking about those Macs and Cortlands makes my mouth water.
life throws many curves … hail included … keep up the good work and we look forward to any apples we can get … eating or cooking still great
Doreen
Nature sure works in mysterious ways… My kids love apples. Applesauce is always a favourite too! We will definitely visit when next in the area.
Your apples will still be delicious Lynn! Keep positive!!
Sad to see those little dents in your beautiful apples — but those apples will be scrumptious, dents and all!
Such a beautiful farm you have! The photo is like heaven.
I will buy some of those delicious apples. The taste will be the same. Not to worry. I will spread the word around and tell my Montreal friends to check you out.
Thanks, Anne, do let your Montreal friends know-apples will be at a discount!
What is the saying for apples? When you have lemons, make lemonade. When you have dented apples……..apple cider, apple sauce, apple cake, etc. etc. Good luck and hope for only sun and showers from now on.
We’ve enjoyed these apples…and I’m sure the ones remaining will be worth a trip to this picturesque place, run by beautiful people.