bloom and harvest dates

Stefan,

In researching apple varieties for our short mountain season, I look for data on bloom and harvest times. I try to choose at least mid-season bloom and no later than mid-fall harvest. But it can be hard to find info on many varieties, especially cider apples. Do you know of some good references? Do you have a chart of what blooms first in your orchard and order of harvest?

ah, you almost got met with the title:
i thought you're harvesting Date trees.

Ann Torrence wrote:Stefan,

In researching apple varieties for our short mountain season, I look for data on bloom and harvest times. I try to choose at least mid-season bloom and no later than mid-fall harvest. But it can be hard to find info on many varieties, especially cider apples. Do you know of some good references? Do you have a chart of what blooms first in your orchard and order of harvest?

Ann you hit on a tough nut to crack. Harvest dates are the key to a good grocery aisle planting. We aim for 3 periods of 10 day harvest per month. Getting these dates RIGHT is the key. I don't have a chart but we do note harvest dates. Most of the cultivars for our area may not suit your mountain climate. Contact your local nurseries, any governmental fruit collection body, NAFEX chapter in your area and private collectors. One good reference for our area: http://cyberfruit.info/book-poster/index.asp#book (apple, plum, strawberry)