Planted the first tree of the season today. It felt wonderful to put the foot to the shovel and the shovel to the earth. There was no frost left, and the tree came out of the nursery with ease. I walked it down to the end of row 2 up at Finley, big clump of dirt still on the roots, and it was nestled into its new home five minutes later. The cultivar was Beagle Bitter, a yellow, 2” bittersweet from New York state, introduced by Jason Mannka and Mike Biltonen. It will become part of our ongoing trial of apples with potential for cider and cooking.

According to Matt Kaminsky’s Pomological Series Vol II, Beagle Bitter’s “intense sweetness prevails at front, sugars taste almost thick. Mid-palate has a warm spicy quality and features lovely tannin, lightly to moderately astringent. Notes of brown sugar and walnuts. A complex, textural experience!” Jason and Mike have another introduction we’re growing here on trial, one they call Manure Pit. I’ve had the cider and it’s excellent: “barn-yardy” as they say!

Today also marks the official return of the Canada Geese. They typically fly south over the farm on October 9th and return north on April 10th. This morning they greeted me as I stood out on the porch. They’re three days late. That’s in line with the ice-out on the farm ponds. At least for now, everything is still a bit delayed. But, hey, it’s not too early to plant new apple trees. Dust of your shovels. It’s time.