I actually live in MN so am spoiled by the easy access to quality varieties. Honeycrisp are so "common" here (grown here) that I definitely avoid WA grown stock that seeps into grocery stores more quickly than ever.
I currently have 4 apple trees on the property but have only lived with apple trees for about the last 4 years now. I can't even imagine getting the conditions for a Honeycrisp tree right given the trees I have seem very temperamental. Last year (summer of '23) was a horrible year for our trees due to the summer long drought. Some of my trees are in irrigation zones so they did get decent water, but still failed to yield much.
This year was bonkers. I clocked 34" of rain in my backyard and all 4 trees had the highest yield so far. While these varieties aren't as delicious as a freshly picked, ripe Honeycrisp, they're still 1000x better than any mealy, soft apple from the store that was picked 6+ months ago. The other thing with Honeycrisp is that all of the local orchards have netting protecting all the Honeycrisp because, since the skin is so thin, they're highly susceptible to hail damage. They just seem like too much work given I can buy them grown here.
Curious how long it will be before the automation is perfected? Is this a normal cycle with a new breed of apple?
A property with apple trees (and space to grow more) is seriously enviable. Hands in earth is one of my favorite therapies. I've been contemplating a move for a few years and this additional inspiration may just be the tipping point.
If you have some space but not a lot, look up "Backyard Orchard Culture".
Practitioners have amazing yields with tiny 5' tall fruit trees. I've seen some people do things that seem crazy like 4 different trees in one planting hole and it works fine.
I have a potted miniature lime tree that spends 8 months of the year outdoors and the NYC winter indoors. It's easy to maintain and every year it produces more limes. This year I got at least 30. They taste unbelievable especially versus store purchased. Highly recommended.
the problem with trees is that it takes several years before the first fruit,
and the slightest problem with weather will easily kill off all the season's batch... otherwise even more than tempting than an orchard would be an "edible forest"/"forest garden"
On a small plot especially you want lots of diversity. Plant many different species and varieties of fruit so you have something to harvest all year long. (Trying to preserve excess harvest can be fun at first but quickly becomes a time consuming chore). Different shapes and sizes of trees also allow you to partition the sunlight and soil resource more efficiently.
I actually live in MN so am spoiled by the easy access to quality varieties. Honeycrisp are so "common" here (grown here) that I definitely avoid WA grown stock that seeps into grocery stores more quickly than ever.
I currently have 4 apple trees on the property but have only lived with apple trees for about the last 4 years now. I can't even imagine getting the conditions for a Honeycrisp tree right given the trees I have seem very temperamental. Last year (summer of '23) was a horrible year for our trees due to the summer long drought. Some of my trees are in irrigation zones so they did get decent water, but still failed to yield much.
This year was bonkers. I clocked 34" of rain in my backyard and all 4 trees had the highest yield so far. While these varieties aren't as delicious as a freshly picked, ripe Honeycrisp, they're still 1000x better than any mealy, soft apple from the store that was picked 6+ months ago. The other thing with Honeycrisp is that all of the local orchards have netting protecting all the Honeycrisp because, since the skin is so thin, they're highly susceptible to hail damage. They just seem like too much work given I can buy them grown here.
Curious how long it will be before the automation is perfected? Is this a normal cycle with a new breed of apple?