Spring Snow Makes Fruit Orchardists Cringe

When you live in the northeast, having snow in April, or even May is possible.

Snow Storm on April 18th in 2018 — Apple Orchard. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2018.

Every year, as spring approaches, we’d hope that there would not be a late-season snowstorm. And, for the last few years, our hopes were dashed as it started to snow in April after the apple trees had buds or even flowers.

Once this happens as you can imagine, the development of the fruit is affected. If snow and freezing temperatures occur while there are buds, blossoms, or flowers then they could fall off and the result is no fruit.

If the snow and freezing temps occur just as the blossoms are opening, chances are that there will be few bees buzzing about to pollinate the blossoms, even if they happen to survive the cold.

Yes, snow and cold in the early spring are not desirable for anyone, but especially for fruit orchardists.

Apples in our home fruit orchard. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2018

This weather dread happens to both commercial orchard farmers, and backyard home orchardists, alike.