Growing Fruit
An orchard is made up of fruit or nut-producing trees, that have been planted for the purpose of commercial food production. Orchards tend to be situated by bodies of water, where weather conditions can be moderated. It usually isn't until the frost has passed that blossoming begins. Orchards are beautiful plots of land, where depending on which part of the world you are in, many different types of delicious fruit grow. In temperate areas for instance, apples, oranges, pecans, and walnuts grow. In tropical areas, more exotic fruits grow, like mango, guava, and coconut.
In order for flowers or fruits to bud, trees need to be pruned regularly. This means removing diseased or dead wood, shoots, leaves, and buds. Pruning is an activity usually done in the spring. Unpruned trees tend to produce large crops of small, worthless fruit, which in many instances, is damaged by pests and disease. Overpruning however, isn't good either. It causes flowerless fruits to develop, which usually don't store well. Pruners should try to ensure that there is a balance of shoot growth and fruit production.
Once the fruit had grown properly and is ready for eating, picking must be done. Fruit picking can be a really fun activity, especially when you know that you're going to make something delicious with it. Ideas might include jam, chutney, pie, cider, poached fruits and more.
The process of gathering crops from larger, commercial fields, is what's known as harvest. Harvest takes place at the end of the growing season, when crops are picked, cooled, sorted, cleaned, and packed to be sold. Thanks to the industrial revolution and the continued advances in technology, there are now machines that make the process of gathering and packaging food much easier, and of course more efficient, thereby increasing the rate of production and making food growing a more profitable business. For smaller crops that are harvested manually, this is the most physically demanding time of year.
Many traditions are connected to the harvest. Thanksgiving is probably the biggest harvest tradition in North America. It originated from a mix of European and Native traditions. It was a time to eat and enjoy time with your community after exhaustive work. The dinner that takes place on Thanksgiving consists of a variety of food, all centered around a giant turkey. Accoutrements consist of mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and many root vegetables, amongst other dishes.
About the Author
Wassells Aboricultural Services Ltd is a small family business with over 35 years experience working as tree surgeons in London. They provide an expert service in all aspects of tree surgery and management. For more on tree surgery London visit http://wassells.co.uk/
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