373: Orchard Tips for Cold Climates

373: Orchard Tips for Cold Climates

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist July 12, 2023 Duration: 1:15:17

Orchardist Ben Applegate on cold climate orchard care

Ben is the Orchard Manager at Eden Specialty Cider based in northern Vermont and shares his insight on cold climate apple varieties and orchard tips. This chat took place at Eden's orchards based in what is known as the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont in the town of West Charleston. 

373 feature Ben Applegate 200x300Ben Applegate

There are 50 Apple varieties at the Eden orchard. Here is a list of just some of the apples discussed in this episode: 

  • Newton Pippin
  • Liberty
  • Stembridge Cluster
  • Rubinette
  • Northern Spy
  • Trembletts Bitter

Ben discusses which varieties work well in a cold climate, while recommending that as the temperatures continue to rise both in Vermont and globally, he advises to plant trial apples for the changes ahead.

Tips for new orchardists

  • Why you should do a Soil test before planting and what to do with that knowledge
  • Why pruning too early can offset young trees
  • Which apple tree damaging insects to worry about

In this Cider Chat episode:

  • We learn about the challenges faced by the young apple trees, such as sun scald and fluctuating temperatures
  • Scythe and Biological Mowing
  • How climate change is affecting traditional production of Ice Cider, which is made by freezing apple juice on the coldest days of the year to freeze the water and then ferment the pure apple juice into what is known as Ice Cider.
  • How acidity of the soil directly affects the acidity of the apples
  • Selection of apple varieties and rootstock is crucial
  • Dwarf tree management
  • Incorporating composted teas for apple trees 
  • The impact of author Micheal Phillips' work

Contact for Ben Applegate

Website: http://edenciders.com

email: mailto:ben@edenciders.com

Mentions in this Chat


There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

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