One of the ongoing tasks apple growers face in the winter is pruning. When temperatures are consistently below freezing, apple trees go dormant until the spring. Each of our 13,000 trees must be carefully inspected and trimmed back to help them produce a healthy crop. Apple trees tend to produce the best apples on wood that is 2-3 years old, so pruning out old and tired branches encourages the growth of new limbs where the fruit will develop size and colour the best. When the tree wakes up, it starts to send energy to the remaining branches where the fruit buds are waiting to swell and blossom. Ideally, all of our pruning is done before the sap starts to flow in spring which requires discipline and good winter gear to complete on time.

On days that are too cold or snowy to prune, we keep busy in the office; ordering supplies, catching up on paperwork, planning events, and mapping out the growing season. We also spend time attending conferences and meeting with other growers to share knowledge and explore new ways to improve our operation. Therein lies one of our favourite parts of horticulture: even after 40 years of growing apples, there is always something new to learn. 

Are you interested in learning how to prune that old apple tree in your backyard? Have you planted some trees but aren't sure how to prune to keep them healthy? Let us know if you are interested in attending a pruning workshop this March! Better yet, sign up for our newsletter so you'll never miss an update on upcoming workshops and events.
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It seems as quickly as it arrived, the apple picking season is coming to an end. Our Red Delicious, Empire and Fuji trees still have a bit of fruit left to pick and our market is stocked with Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, Cortland, McIntosh, Russet and Pears, however, this will be the last weekend we are open to the public. We will remain open until Halloween with a selection of carving pumpkins, squash, and ready-picked apples. Visitors are free to enjoy a walk around the property, explore the corn maze and take in the sights of the season. We hope to see you at the orchard!

Today is the last official day for apple picking at Nature's Bounty. Much of this year's crop has been picked by our visitors and the crew is spending the day cleaning up what's left. For the rest of the season, you may find a few odds and ends in the orchard if you don't mind a bit of walking. For those interested in pre-picked apples, we will have Honeycrisp, Empire, Cortland, Spy, Golden Russet and McIntosh in stock at the market.

The pumpkin patch will be open until closing day on October 31, with plenty of carving pumpkins left to choose from. There is also an assortment of colourful squashes pumpkins available at the market. We even have a few giant pumpkins left if you're looking for a showstopper for your Halloween display!

Much of the GTA got its first taste of winter this week with cold temperatures and a light dusting of snow. The frost hasn't affected the apple crop and we are still picking many varieties. As the season winds down, we hope to get as many apples off the trees as we can and expect our committed customers to be out in full force this weekend! Here's a guide to what's picking this weekend:

• Ambrosia: We still have a bit of Ambrosia left but they won't last much longer.
• Northern Spy: Spies for Pies! The classic baking apple is now available at the farm market and on the trees.
• Empire: These crisp, juicy apples appear deep purple on the trees but polish to red when picked. Bursting with flavour, Empire can also be used for baking
• Red Delicious: A perennial favourite, Red Delicious are best enjoyed freshly picked! Their impressive size and dark red colour are stunning.
• Idared: This late season variety stores particularly well. Keep them in your cold room and bring them out in December. Their flavour mellows with time.

We have pre-picked Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Northern Spy, Ambrosia, Cortland and Russet available at the market. Also picking this week is the last of the Honeycrisp, Crimson Crisp, Red Delicious, Crispin (Mutsu), and Fuji! Ask us where to find them.

The last vestiges of summer are fading away and autumn is in the air. As the days get shorter and the cooler, nothing completes the feeling of fall like a visit to the orchard. Take a drive along a country road and soak in the vibrant colours of the changing leaves. Stop by Nature's Bounty for the season's best apples, a cup of warm cider and enjoy the crisp fresh air before the moment passes. There is plenty left to pick this weekend, including a few of our favourites:

• Ambrosia: One of the best eating apples of the season, we have plenty of Ambrosia available for picking.
• Northern Spy: Spies for Pies! The classic baking apple is now available (pre-picked only) at the farm market and the front gate this weekend.
• Gala: Nearly gone but still beautiful, Gala are a great eating apple.
• Jonagold: Those who know them love them. Jonagold are a sweet/tart apple with stark contrast between green and bright red skin. 
• Empire: These crisp, juicy apples appear deep purple on the trees but polish to red when picked. Bursting with flavour, Empire can also be used for baking
• Red Delicious: A perennial favourite, Red Delicious are best enjoyed freshly picked! Their impressive size and dark red colour are stunning.
• Cortland: A popular choice for salads, fresh eating and baking, Cortland are a powerhouse in the kitchen. Their large size mean less peeling and coring, and the their texture is a welcome addition to a crisp or pie.

We have pre-picked Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Northern Spy, Ambrosia and Russet available at the market. Also picking this week is the last of the Cortland, Macoun, Crimson Crisp, Blondee and Spartan. There are plenty Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Crispin (Mutsu), Idared, Shizuka.

Thanksgiving just wouldn't be complete without a trip to the orchard. That's why we are open all three days of the long weekend! At Nature's Bounty, we love that so many families make apple picking a part of their annual fall tradition. This week and weekend offers some of the best selection for apples and pumpkins as nearly everything is ready for picking. Check out the list below for some of the top picks for this weekend.

• Ambrosia: Move over Honeycrisp, Ambrosia is back! One of the best eating apples of the season, we have plenty of Ambrosia available. 
• Northern Spy: Spies for Pies! The season's best baking apple is now available (pre-picked only) at the farm market through the week and the front gate this weekend.
• Gala: There are still Gala for picking and what's left has developed beautiful colour and incredible sweetness. Get them before they're gone.
• Jonagold: Those who know them love them. Jonagold are a sweet apple with stark contrast between green and bright red. 
• Empire: These crisp, juicy apples appear deep purple on the trees but polish to red when picked. Bursting with flavour, Empire can also be used for baking
• Red Delicious: A perennial favourite, Red Delicious are best enjoyed freshly picked! Their impressive size and dark red colour are stunning.
• Cortland: A popular choice for salads, fresh eating and baking, Cortland are a powerhouse in the kitchen. Their large size mean less peeling and coring, and the their texture is a welcome addition to a crisp or pie.

Also picking this week is the last of the McIntosh and Silken, as well as Golden Delicious, Macoun, Crispin (Mutsu), Crimson Crisp, Spartan, and Blondee. For your convenience, we will also be offering bagged McIntosh, Honeycrisp and Northern Spy apples at the cash.

It's that time of the season when so many incredible varieties are available, it's hard to choose which apples to take home. You may be looking for a sweet, juicy eating apple or something tart and firm. If you're planning on baking your Thanksgiving pies, you may want a variety with a balance of flavour but a texture that holds up in the oven. Here's a guide to what's picking at Nature's Bounty and our recommended uses:

• Honeycrisp: We still have plenty of Honeycrisp available, but they won't last much longer. Large, crunchy and busting with sweet juice, Honeycrisp might make you forget there are other apples in the orchard.
• Gala: Perfect for eating or mixed with other apples for a crisp, Gala have a sweet, mellow flavour. The remaining Gala have a vibrant red colour.
• McIntosh: You may have to dig into the trees to find them but there are still McIntosh left in the orchard. If you miss the Macs this weekend, we will have pre-picked bags starting next week. Great for eating and cider.
• Crimson Crisp: New this week! Firm, deep red, and strikingly tart, Crimson Crisp help to balance the sweetness of other apples in sauce, pies and other goodies. For home cider makers, try these in the mix.
• Blondee: Similar to a Ginger Gold in appearance, but with more complex flavour and slightly more crunch, this sweet yellow apple is an up-and-comer. Try one this weekend!
• Cortland: The classic choice for salads and sliced for lunches (because it is slow to brown) these sweet/tart apples are extra large this year. An excellent choice for baking.
• Empire: New this week! Empire are smaller, sweet apples that offer a satisfying crunch and a gush of juice. Their deep plum-red colouring is beautiful on the trees.

Also available this weekend is Macoun, Silken, and Spartan. Hope to see you at the orchard!

As the season progresses, some varieties finish and give way to others. Those who fell in love with Ginger Gold and Wealthy may find a few left in the trees but both varieties have been thoroughly picked. Not to worry; we have a few new additions to the picking list. Here's a look at what will be ready for this coming weekend:

• Honeycrisp: The season's most anticipated apple is finally here! Large, crunchy and busting with sweet juice, Honeycrisp might make you forget there are other apples in the orchard.
• Gala: At their peak, make sure to get your Gala picked this week or next. 
• McIntosh: Ontario's apple! Now more sweet than tart, we still have a few rows of Macs available. 
• Blondee: Similar to a Ginger Gold in appearance, but with more complex flavour and slightly more crunch, this sweet yellow apple is an up-and-comer. Try one this weekend!
• Cortland: The classic choice for salads and sliced for lunches (because it is slow to brown) these sweet/tart apples are extra large this year. An excellent choice for baking.
• Spartan: Possibly the best baking variety currently available, Spartan will maintain a slight crunch when cooked and the subtle tang mellows with heat. For sauce, try cooking with skins on and puree for a deep redish-brown colour.

Keep an eye out for updates on Macoun and Empire as they will be ready soon!

Arguably the season's most anticipated apple, Honeycrisp are finally ready at Nature's Bounty. This year's Honeycrisp have grown to a large size and are full of juice thanks to the summer rains. The many hot, sunny days helped the apples develop great flavour and lots of sugar, and a few chilly nights have turned the skins a vibrant red. After testing today, these beauties are ready for picking!

We are often asked why Honeycrisp are more expensive than other common varieties like McIntosh or Gala. The answer is that they are more difficult to grow! Honeycrisp trees are inherently less sturdy than other trees and must be supported by a trellis system to hold the weight of the branches. As the fruit matures, it must be aggressively thinned to prevent the tree from overproducing. This process requires many extra hours of manual labour. Finally, Honeycrisp are chalk-full of vitamins and minerals, but the trees have difficulty extracting them from the soil so growers must supplement the trees with calcium, magnesium and copper; another added cost.

In the end, it's hard to beat the crunch, taste and juice that the Honeycrisp offers, which make them satisfying to grow despite the extra costs and labour. We know that many people look forward to Honeycrisp picking each fall so we strive to maintain our supply by planting new trees every few years. We do hope to see you at the orchard this weekend and next while Honeycrisp are at their peak of ripeness.

If you didn't make it out to the orchard for opening weekend, there is still plenty of time to visit this season, and more varieties available every week. Here's a look at what will be ready this weekend:

• Gala: A fall favourite, there are 4 rows ready this weekend, with more Gala ready in the coming weeks. 
• McIntosh: Ontario's apple! Perfect for snacking, sauce, or mixed in pie, this red blush variety is at its peak. If you're a Mac person, this is a great weekend to pick.
• Silken: A smaller, sweet and yellow apple. These are perfect for school lunches and make a great addition to a batch of sauce.
• Ginger Gold: A surprise favourite among first-time visitors. These sweet, juicy apples now have a slight pink blush. Great for eating fresh, these beauties won't last much longer.
• Wealthy: If you can't wait to start baking, Wealthy is now full of sweet, apple flavour and just a hint of tartness which mellows in the oven. These will soon be picked clean!
• Early Gold: We have half bushel (~20lbs) bags of Early Gold, selling for $15 each! Perfect for a big batch of apples sauce, no additional sugar needed. 
• Honeycrisp: The star of the apple season. Our Honeycrisp are getting redder by the day but still need a bit more time to develop delicious sugars. Picking September 17.