In the Orchard

This time of year is crucial for the fruit. As most of you know,in Upstate NY, we can be hit with frost in the early part of May. If the trees are in blossom, this would not be good. Occasionally, the Fix Brothers have tried a few preventive measures. This year they hired a couple of helicopters. This method is used when the temperatures threaten to go below freezing. The general theory is when the thermometor drops to around 28 - 30 degrees our helicopter pilots are on standby. They will start up the choppers and begin flying, circulating the warm air around. The critical temperature for the buds at this time of the year is below 28 degrees. Thanks to the great job done by Michelle and Charlie of Hummingbird Helicopter Service, they were able to achieve that goal. Inspection of the orchards after the frost, found minimum damage.

Meet Charlie and his chopper. After flying for three hours and low on fuel he came back to home base to wait for Michelle. Notice Michelle in the back ground.

Charlie waits for Michelle so they can fly off back towards home.

At 6:00AM, it is still too early to tell how things went.

Meet Michelle and her chopper. The guys set up torches to show boundaries of the orchards that needed to be protected. While Fix Brothers (Bobby, Gary, David, Father Bob, Steve, and Brad) kept watch of the temperatures. Great team work between the flyers and the groundsmen added to the success.

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Email: fruit@fixbrosfruitfarm.com Fax: (518) 828-2042

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