Apache new growth

The flush of new growth on this blackberry plant is a good sign of health and vigor...grow baby grow!

two month old blackberry

These blackberry plants have really taken off even after being planted late!

Blackberries at New Dawn!

Apache is one of the thornless blackberry varieties newly planted at New Dawn.  These plants were planted really late (early May), but they are growing well.   The primocanes growing on this plant will be the floricanes which will bear fruit next summer.  Apache has a real depth of flavor which makes it one of my favorites!

The crop on these 'Columbus' plants is more than acceptable for my first organic crop!  Can't you just reach through the screen and pick a handful of these?...Delicious!!

The 'Columbus' variety has large berries with light blue color.  The light, powdery coating on blueberries is known as 'bloom' and it serves as the berry's protection from the sun.  It's like the blueberry's natural SPF and it varies with different varieties.

'Columbus' variety has beautiful, long clusters of fruit!

The farm is still a year away from it's 2013 first harvest, but I did allow a few plants to fruit to get an idea of potential pests in an organic culture.  Take a look at the pictures taken today and you'll see a good crop and nice quality berries!  These plants have already been harvested one time before these photos were taken.