For the past 41 years The Frosty Apple has been growing apples in Webster Township. The orchard grows twenty-three varieties of apples on about five acres of land. Sisters Janet, Julie and Jennifer have taken over the operation from their father and are themselves preparing the next generation for running the orchard.
In terms of best management practices, the orchard, sprays very little pesticide on their trees, but what they do is locked up and meticulous records are kept. Soil testing and tissue sampling are being incorporated into the operation to look at overall plant and soil health throughout the farm.
Apples are not the only thing grown on the orchard though. Asparagus was planted this past season and cut flowers were also experimented with; both look to be fixture for Frosty for the future. Autumn is of course a busy time for The Frosty Apple with harvesting happening and customers stopping by the orchard for pecks of apples or their pies. The season is over with for year, but you can bookmark your website (www.frostyappleorchard.com) so you can plan you visit out there next autumn.
by Nicholas Machinski, MAEAP Technician