The apple blossoms are gone but the work in one Hudson Valley Orchard has just begun. Dressel Farms in New Paltz, New York is swapping out the type of apples that they grow in part of the orchard. They are up to the part in the process where we can see what they have planned. So they are sharing details.

Dressel Farms shared a really interest process that farmers do to improve or even change the crop they are growing. I only know a little bit about farming and I know somewhere in a conversation I heard that you can graft a plant but honestly, I don't think I understood what it meant to graft a tree.

Dressel Farms via Facebook
Dressel Farms via Facebook
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Change Empire Apple Trees to Gala in a Nee Paltz Orchard

Changing the tree is exactly what the plan is at Dressel Farms. Dressel Farms disclosed today that they are in the process of changing the Empire Apple trees on the farm to make the Gala Apple trees. The process they are using is grafting and in just two short years they say they will have successfully finished the process.

What is Grafting a Plant

According to the Spruce Grafting Plants or Trees is a process where one tree becomes the host to another. It is a technique that joins two plants and makes them one.

Dressel Farms via Facebook
Dressel Farms via Facebook
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Grafting is a technique that joins two plants into one. In general, a wound is created on one of the plants, and the other is inserted into that wound so each plant's tissues can grow together. The wound needs to be protected until it heals to avoid pests and diseases entering the graft. (via the Spruce.com)

 

Why is Dressel Farms Grafting their Apple Trees

Dressel Farm is known in the area for having a wonderful selection of fresh fruit and veggies. It is their job to understand the fruit and veggie consumer. Apparently Empire apples are no longer the type of apple people are buying.

People who go by the farm market and buy a basket or two of apples for home consumption are also probably talking about t larger customers who may be using apples for ciders, dessert, and other projects. Gala's are in and Empire is out.

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