Heirloom Apples
We grow over 50 varieties of heirloom apples here at Devoto Gardens that are picked exclusively at their peak of ripeness. To make it into our orchards, each variety is carefully chosen to meet our high standards of taste and aroma. Heirloom varieties not only taste better, they are also a piece of American heritage that we are passionate about preserving. Our orchards are certified organic, so when you bite into one of our rare and delicious apples, you can taste the pure fruit of a partnership between sun, earth, rain and man without the impurities of harmful insecticides and chemical fertilizers. Click on any variety below to learn more about it!
Beyond Organic
Sustainable farming is not easy. It is a craft which requires the farmer to be a keen observer of nature and have a mastery of several disciplines simultaneously. Two fascinating examples of this at DEVOTO GARDENS are how we deal with the codling moth and dry farming.
Codling Moths |
In conventional agriculture, the codling moth is controlled predominantly by insecticidal sprays, however, we control it organically through mating disruption. Female codling moths release a sex pheromone into the environment, enabling male moths to locate them by following the pheromone-trail. When the orchard environment is saturated with synthesized codling moth pheromone (pictured in the image to the left), male moths are unable to detect individual pheromone-trails, resulting in mating disruption. Mating disruption offers several advantages over pesticide sprays. Since no toxic residues are left on fruit, it is much safer for agricultural workers and for consumers! |
Dry Farming |
Our apples are so desireable because of the thick skin and concentrated flavor. How do we do that? We rely strictly on the fog that rolls in every night during the summer and the water table that is created underground by rainfall during the winter. The lack of water during the summertime, the most essential ripening stage, stresses the fruit, thereby concentrating the flavor in the apple. The fruit drinks its daily dose of fog through its stem. |
