These Super Spindle trees help apple growers increase efficiency and production.

Apples have come a long way, baby

Men cannot live by canola, wheat and barley alone. Put an apple on your plate

If you ever wonder where apples come from forget the notion they are produced in some lazy looking orchard, with grand, sprawling shady trees that have been growing for centuries under which you can spread a blanket for a picnic lunch before picking the next basket. Get ready for the Super Spindle. That was the […] Read more

An apple tree branch with “scorched” leaves after a severe fire blight infection. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

N.S. fruit, maple syrup producers get AgriRecovery

The federal and Nova Scotia provincial governments will put up AgriRecovery funding for tree fruit growers dealing with fire blight, and maple syrup producers dealing with snow damage. The two governments on Tuesday announced separate AgriRecovery programs, budgeted at up to $2.69 million for fruit growers and up to $950,000 for maple syrup producers. The […] Read more


Enjoying apfelstreuselkuchen 
in a café in Berlin.

In search of apples — anything with apples

This fruit brings back fond memories of growing up on the farm

In Berlin, I left the hotel early one morning in search of coffee and apples. Anything with apples. Wandering the neighbourhood, I found a sunny little bakery on a leafy street near the Brandenburg Gate. It had a tiny sidewalk patio with four tables and a plethora of potted plants. Best of all, a sign […] Read more