Well, the orchard has come a long ways in the last couple of months.

Here's a photo from the beginning of April. At this point we are still fighting the

continuous weather changes.

The next photo below is from June 1st.

Most of the crop was lost due to frost that just wouldn't stay away. We've never seen anything

like this year. The blossoms bloomed, froze, re-bloomed, froze, and kept blooming. The weather

is still not on our side.

Pruning, fertilizing, and weeding are obviously our next big obstacles. The price of fertilizer

has doubled since last year also. We have begun cleaning out the bowls and making them bigger to

help with the equal distibution of the fertilizer into the soil. Although the dripline has it benefits for water conservation,

water dispersment is critical too.

Pruning each row as we walk them, is on going. Dead limbs and sucker roots are removed

as soon as possible.

We have applied for grants also. We're hoping to get the ovens up and running for next years spring season.

There is only the lack of funds in order to build them. The foundations are set throughout the orchard

in order to keep the warm air circulating above the trees when the frost arrives

in the early morning hours. Any help with other cost efficient ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Along with the unpredictable weather, the rattlesnakes are out this year. Last year it was scorpions.

Two rattlers in one week. The bullsnake we let go on its merry little way :)

So, that's where we are as of today!

So, here we are checking the driplines. Yep, we gave up walking the 10 acres quite a while ago. We drive when possible.

The start of a new season means checking all valves on the manifolds, and walking to each tree checking hoses.

One of the disadvantages of the dripline system we use is that is wears out. Replacing connections that have leaks is a priority.

Rabbits and coyotes love to chew through the hoses to get fresh water.

Painting the trees helps to a certain extent, but it is difficult to find the

time when your doing everything else.

 Our new members to the orchard. There was two baby pigeons last week. I think

a hawk flew in and grabbed the other one. It needs more feathers. I found some solar scarecrows on

the internet to help with the birds, but at $500+ for each...well,

we'll just have to figure something else out for now.

Beautiful peach blossoms are everywhere now. It looks like a floral shop outside. Weather is still an issue since

we haven't the finances to build heat ovens yet. We have some of the bases in, just no heat brick as of yet.

It even snowed last night.We keep hoping that the freezes at night will not harm

the flowers.

Although we have plenty of heavy equipment to help in larger areas,

we find alot that most of the labor is in using your hands. Bowls around the

trees must be kept cleaned out for a variety of reasons. The best tool we have found yet

is the simple metal 10 tine shrub rake. Light, skinny, and doesn't break.

We are hoping to get the chiller set up over the next couple of months.

This should be another interesting adventure.

Okay. okay...okay...

We are working on ovens for the orchard! The weather is not cooperating here, as usual. The cost to operate smudge pots

 is ridiculous considering the rise in prices every week! Plus getting up in the middle of the night to light them is not fun either.

The peach varieties are starting to bloom is sequence now. I will post a picture when the orchard is

at it's most enhanced stage.

The apricot blooms are nearly gone now. Just keep your fingers crossed for the weather to be on our side!

We spend hours, upon hours, researching new technology to help with the simple things.

Once we have an idea, a new problem arises. Finding a grant to help pay for it becomes endless. Nevada is not know for it's stone fruits

and that makes it more difficult to apply for certain grants.

We are not organic, we are pesticide free. The fertilizer that the peach trees need is what eleiminates

 us from the "organic" market. The cost of fertilizer has tripled in the last year!

Although still in the process of building the website, we have had some great links provided to us by other

farmers, universities, and nurseries.

Thanks everyone for your support!

GOT WATER?

Here at MacKie Farms, a certified produce farm, we believe in saving the environment and it's viable resources. For years we continue to struggle with new laws and legislation concerning such. It's quite an education adventure to say the least. We are continuously learning new ways to save water, and yet, produce a full crop. MacKie Farms operates on a drip irrigation system. Could you imagine trying to flood irrigate this?

For those of you who don't know much about farming, and want to learn, that's why we are here. We are also here to learn from you!

Although we have to walk the acres of trees to check the water flow in each line, on each tree, we maintain a minimal water use.

Here's the results after four years!

In closing...

We would appreciate any resources other farmers have! Of course, we are now working with local universities, state agriculture facilties, and local farmers. Some things people try work for them and some don't. Along with the water, you've got bird control, gophers, rabbits, even the coyotes nibbling at your stuff.

Each farm operates differently but we all share the same common goal...sharing with the community!