Solebury Orchard Reopens, Late April Freeze Takes Toll On Fruit Crop

SOLEBURY TOWNSHIP, PA — Solebury Orchard reopened Thursday, but the season is starting with major crop losses after a freeze on April 21 damaged fruit trees that were already in bloom.

In a Facebook update announcing the new season, the orchard said extra warm days in March and April were followed by “a sudden freeze on the night of April 21.” The orchard said many of its fruit trees were already in full bloom when prolonged freezing temperatures, “down to 23 degrees,” hit the area.

According to the orchard, the damage is widespread across Eastern Pennsylvania and much of New Jersey, and many fruit farms in the region are facing similar losses.

The orchard said there will be no crop of peaches, cherries, pears, or plums this year. It also reported that apples “took a severe hit,” leaving only a small crop on select varieties. The blueberry supply may be limited for the first week, according to the orchard, but the crop is looking promising, and that good picking conditions are expected through July.

(Solebury Orchard)

(Solebury Orchard)

Not everything on the property was affected the same way, the orchard said. The flower garden, which the orchard said was planted in May after the freeze, “should be as beautiful as ever!” The orchard also said it has planted vegetables and pumpkins for the season.

Though the farm said it typically sells only the fruit it grows itself, it plans to bring in fruit from outside the region to help keep its market stocked.

"We will do our best to procure high-quality fruit from orchards outside our region to keep our market stocked and maintain some normalcy in our operations.”

The orchard said this season is a reminder that “farming can be unpredictable, and this is a reminder of just how dependent we are on the weather and conditions outside our control.”

Despite the losses, the orchard said it is looking ahead and continuing to care for its orchards so they can return “strong and healthy next year.”