3 minute read
The Harguths’ retirement plan
PHOTOS BY DIANE LEUKAM Winter is right around the corner.
A picturesque barn was built at the orchard for storage, as a workspace, and to welcome visitors during apple season.
Harguth
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closer the two get to retirement. Bob is an electrical engineer at Medtronic and Lori is a paraprofessional at McKinley Elementary School. The two currently live in Ham Lake and Bob is planning to move to part-time at his day job next year so he can devote more hours to the ever-growing orchard. The couple has three adult sons, one of whom works at the orchard but as they grow, they know they’ll be adding more staff.
Currently, about 30% of the Harguths’ apple trees are in full production. Through the years, they’ve planted mostly semi-dwarf trees which take roughly three to fi ve years to produce apples.
Apple trees are produced with different types of root systems called root stalks. The type of root stalk will determine the size of the tree, along with ability to withstand diseases, soil conditions and environmental conditions such as the drought this year. As they considered what type of root stock to plant, they considered their loamy soil. This year, their soil and root stalk, along with a drip irrigation system, were keys to handling the drought without placing as much stress on the trees; it helps that many of the trees weren’t yet of apple-bearing age.
There is also a need to keep the trees safe from predators like deer or bears, and from storms. They constructed a 9-foothigh fence that surrounds the apple trees to keep the deer and bears out of the orchard. The fence keeps out the deer but a bear did tear down a section for a night-time snack. To prevent damage during storms, the Harguths built a trellis system to secure the trees and prevent tree limbs from breaking or dropping fruit when high winds occur.
A 9-foot-high fence surrounds apple trees to keep deer and bears out of the orchard, although a bear did tear down a section for a night-time snack.
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Harguth page 26
Try these winter pet care tips!
1. If you have outdoor pets consider bringing them in during extremely cold temperatures. 2. If your pet needs to stay outside, make sure it has a warm, dry, and draft free shelter outside. 3. Outdoor animals eat more during winter. Make sure you pet has enough food and water. 4. Indoor pets, meanwhile, conserve energy in the winter. Adjust their food accordingly. 5. Watch out for frostbite on your Pets during the winter months. 6. Salt and ice can be rough on your pets paws, consider having them wear booties for walks.
View more useful tips at www.petmd.com
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