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!