08/28/2025
Five Seasons in the Orchard
We bought Pleasant Pond Orchard in 2020 knowing very little beyond the fact that we liked apples. Five seasons later, we’ve learned a lot about fruit trees, weather, and patience. Our orchard has shifted from Integrated Pest Management to biodynamic practices—an ongoing effort to work with nature, not against it.
With tree fruit, you only get one chance each year. A late freeze, a rainy bloom when pollinators should be flying, or a summer drought doesn’t just affect this season’s crop—it shapes the trees for next year, too. This spring, cold and wet weather meant poor pollination across much of Maine. Even with a decent return bloom, there weren’t enough insects moving pollen. Trees that might normally give us bushels are carrying just a handful of apples. Out of forty Empire trees, we haven’t found a single one. And when fruit is scarce, every pest in the neighborhood finds it.
Still, we’re here, we’re learning, and we enjoy the work. We hope to press some cider this fall, and in the meantime, we’ll be focusing on baking. Starting Labor Day weekend, our farm shop will be open Saturdays (8 am-3 pm) with fresh baked goods. 430 Brunswick Rd Richmond
The orchard keeps teaching. We plan to keep rolling with it.
