At 80 years young, Farmer Dennis is still out in the orchard every day at Gran Elly, tending to the land he’s loved for decades. He grows apples and pears all year round, keeping us stocked with some of the best spray-free fruit around—just like the kind you’d pick fresh from your grandparents' backyard.
But when it comes to stone fruit—plums, cherries, peaches, and nectarines—summer is when the real magic happens. Or at least, it's supposed to.
For the past few years, Dennis has been hit hard by conditions out of his control: wind and black frost.
Black frost is every grower’s worst nightmare. It sneaks in without warning, freezing the trees from the inside out. It destroys blossoms overnight, leaving nothing behind.
Combine that with terrible winds that have swept through his orchard, blowing the delicate blossoms right off the trees, and you can imagine the heartache. Picture putting your whole heart—and income—into a field of blossoms, only to watch them all blow away or freeze beyond saving. That’s the tough reality for many farmers. It’s extremely difficult to grow stone fruit when nature has other plans.
But this year, things are looking different. Weather conditions are stable and we’re feeling optimistic! The blossoms are staying put, and the trees are standing strong.
“Farming’s always been a gamble,” Dennis said, “but this year, I’m feeling hopeful. You never know, but maybe this will be the one that turns it all around.”
We’re keeping everything crossed and saying a little prayer for a fruitful season because when you’re a farmer, you never truly know how the season will unfold until the fruit is in your hands.
For Dennis, farming isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life. He’s seen it all—the good years, the challenging ones, and everything in between. But no matter what, he’s out there, tending to his trees, nurturing the land, and hoping for the best.
We’re excited to bring you these amazing stone fruits this summer. Knowing the story behind your peaches and plums makes them taste even sweeter, don’t you think? Stay tuned for updates as the season unfolds, and join us in supporting Dennis and farmers like him who pour their hearts into growing the food that ends up on our tables.
Check out Dennis’ current range of delicious fruit here.
