Apple tree in bloom with a bee
Aerial view of the orchards
Brus' Orchards and Winery
The Orchards
The farm has had fruit trees since the 1940's. The current orchards were established in 1992 and consists of 15 acres of trees. There are mostly apples, but also pears, plums, prunes, grapes and peaches.
The farm has a total acreage of approx 45 acres. 35 acres is used in cultivation, and 10 acres are used for wildlife. The Spittler Creek runs through the middle of our farm providing a home to a wide range of wildlife.
The apples are irrigated during dry season through a trickle-irrigation system. The drip-system is an energy- and water-efficient way of irrigation. To produce large and healthy apples we prune in late winter and early summer, we also thin the excess apples in the early stages.
The Field Crops
There are patches with pumkins. We grow everything from Atlantic Giants to the smallest orange-sized pumkins. And anything in between. We also grow gourds, squash, and speckled swans. Every year we are into something new: Last season we tried the ugly looking KNUCKLE HEADS => One customer told us: "I don't need more: My whole office is full of knuckle heads already!"
Then there are the hay- and corn-fields we grow to feed our cows.
Once, every four years, the hayfields are mowed down which allows for the worm pickers to harvest the much wanted worms in the middle of the night.
The Cabbage and the French student
Every year Hans likes to experiment with cabbages. His most favorite is BOERENKOOL (Kale). Unfortunately this year's crop died in mid-season because of an overdose of nutrients given by the French exchange student, Helene.>
We also grow sudan grass and plant flowers and tomatoes every season. But we have to admit that not every crop turns into a success story.