Here’s to the opposable thumb! I sliced my left one along with the apples. Amazing isn’t it how much you need both of them?

The apples in question came off my very own baby tree. I’m still not sure if it (the tree) will make it in the long run, but I want to give it e very chance. I planted it three years ago and the leader broke almost immediately. (We’ve been having some unbelievable wind storms.) I’ve been coaxing the next limb into a more upright position. We’ll see how that goes.

But I digress. I got a couple dozen apples, some of them very nice. I only found two worms, but the skins and the outer layers sustained a lot of bug damage. So apparently spraying in blossom stage is good for worms, but I’ll have to learn more about managing for other pests. I’ve heard that spraying with ordinary dish soap works. Research required.

I’ve also got some problems with fungi. Only one of the three trees I’ve planted in recent years is cedar/apple rust resistant. I did spray for that early in the season and the trees did quite well until recently. Again, more research on timing and organic alternatives.

So anyway, I have two pies in the oven. Wish you could all come and have a slice.