With spring on the way, the gang at Reid’s Orchard has a lot to do before the busy season hits.
This week they’ve been clearing old peach and apple trees to make way for new varieties. Billy Reid, owner and grower, said the average lifespan of fruit trees at the orchard is 20 to 25 years. The old trees are put into giant piles and burned.
“We also do our all pruning now,” Reid said. “We burn all that because of insects and disease. We want to destroy it and make sure to get that out of the orchard.”
It’s not all destruction at the orchard, as new plant pods just arrived at the greenhouse, ready to grow into tomatoes and flowers. Reid said they get around 3,000 pods and 1,500 hanging baskets to prepare for the Spring season.
Typically Mother’s Day is the greenhouses’ best selling day, but with Easter falling later on the calendar this year, the two will compete for the top spot.
There is also a lot of planning in progress for the upcoming event season at the orchard.
“We are gearing up to for 2019 wedding and event season that will start April 12,” said Valerie Reid Reel, the Orchard’s Event Planner. They’ll actually start booking for 2020 as soon as April 15, but they still have a few dates open for weddings and corporate events this year.
“This year we are working on special pricing for small intimate weddings up to 25 people,” She said. “These would take place weekday evenings or Sundays.”
They’re also working on special proposal sites, Sunday baby and wedding shower plans, and a few other event possibilities.
Anyone interested in events can email [email protected] for more information.
Right now, the Apple House is open Tuesday-Saturday for all your relish and jelly needs and the Reidland Play area will open in mid-May.
