YORKVILLE, WISCONSIN, JULY 16, 2021 – Apple Holler started planting peach trees in the spring of 2011. Dave Flannery, owner of Apple Holler, knew he was taking a chance with planting peaches, known to grow more successfully in the southern United States. BUT, Dave Flannery did his research and found some heartier peach tree varieties that grow better in the northern states and can handle colder temperatures.
This year, the unpredictable weather across America has caused a delay in Apple Holler’s peach crop. Wisconsin experienced some cold weather this spring, with some later frosts that threatened their fruit crops. Luckily, Apple Holler has installed “Wind Machines” throughout the orchard. “These machines help protect the fragile buds on the fruit trees when temperatures reach 32 degrees. When they are in use they can increase the temperature 5-7 degrees around the trees which will protect the buds from frost, this is important because once the trees start budding, the freezing temperatures can kill the flower bud. If there are no buds, then there are no peaches.” says Dave Flannery. Another obstacle this growing season has been the drought. Flannery says “We have been very busy doing ‘Old School’ irrigation. We have a large water tank that is pulled by our tractor and we have been delivering 7,000-8,000 gallons of water to our trees daily.”
While peaches are a more difficult fruit to grow in Wisconsin than apples, you will find 8 hardy varieties of peaches growing in the Apple Holler orchards. The various varieties were chosen for their ability to survive the long cold winters of Wisconsin, as well as their availability to be ready for late summer picking. Apple Holler is excited about peach season this year because of two new peaches that will be ready for picking this year. They are Buenos & Saturn Peaches, these flat, donut like peaches are white fleshed with amazing flavors.
Apple Holler’s Peach picking will start end of July and continue into August which is about the normal time to start picking peaches at Apple Holler. Please call for exact peach picking dates because the dates may vary depending on Mother Nature.
Families are invited to visit the Apple Holler Family Farm Park. The Family Farm Park is open from 9:00am – 3:00pm daily and includes: Corn Palace Corn Box, Crazy Corn Maze, The Golden Goat Bridge and other farmyard animals to visit including baby goats, Little Red Haybarn, Giant Slide, Kids’ Corral play area, complete with a huge Rainbow play system, an Amish-built wooden train, Cool Cow Maze, pedal cart rides, many great photo opportunities and MORE. In addition, the weekends this fall offer more great attractions including: Tractor-Drawn Orchard Tours through the orchard and Enchanted Forest. Tractor-Drawn Orchard Tours are FREE with the purchase of a Peach or Apple Picking Package. On weekends delicious food is offered hot off the grill at The Applewood Grill and new this year is a Bier Garten & Hard Cider Bar featuring their very own Hard Cider!
About Apple Holler
Apple Holler is located between Racine and Kenosha, off I-94 on Sylvania Avenue (the west frontage road), just follow the signs. Apple Holler is a Cafe’, Bakery, Family Farm Park, Gift Shop, Orchard, wedding venue, and features their new outdoor Bier Garten & Hard Cider Bar, many entertainment activities, children’s shows, barnyard animals, outdoor play areas for children, hay wagon rides, horse-drawn sleigh rides and fall apple and pumpkin festivals. Call (262) 884-7100, or visit www.appleholler.com or Facebook for further information.