Apples through the seasons
Orchards have a year-round cycle. No season should be neglected!
Winter
It all starts at the beginning of winter with pruning. This is a crucial stage, as it is at this time that the arboriculturist identifies which branches need to be cut back to make room for those that will bear fruit.
Spring
Then comes spring, when flowering and pollination begin. This is a period that is very sensitive to bad weather, and an early spring that is too cold or too wet can have catastrophic repercussions for the rest of the business.
Summer
To encourage fruit growth, a thinning stage is necessary during the summer. This involves removing fruit with defects (insect bites, frost damage or malformations) to leave space for the others. Gentle" farming techniques are used to limit the use of chemicals. For example, natural predators are introduced into crops to combat mites and other orchard destroyers.
Autumn
Autumn brings the long-awaited harvest! The orchards are buzzing with activity. Nearly 5,000 pickers are recruited to hand-pick the 100,000 tonnes of apples produced in Limousin. They are then transported within 48 hours to various cooperatives before being packed in cold rooms. The apples 'hibernate' naturally, without any treatment.
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