At Chelan Ranch, we believe in farming with nature—not against it. We use a Weedbadger attachment on our tractor to eliminate weeds in the tree rows without using herbicides. This innovative tool helps us maintain clean orchard rows while protecting soil health, pollinators, and the broader ecosystem.
🌱1. A Moment in Nature
This afternoon, I walked through the orchard and noticed the apple buds—rounder and fuller than they were just days ago. The grass beneath my boots had gone from pale winter straw to a lush green, and the quail were calling back and forth from the orchard edges as if catching up after a long silence.
The earth is warming, and with it, the quiet hum of life is returning. There’s an energy in the air that’s hard to describe—like the whole farm is waking up. When we let nature lead, everything works in harmony.
🌍 2. Why Earth Day Matters at Chelan Ranch
While most people celebrate Earth Day on April 22, at Chelan Ranch, it’s part of our rhythm year-round. Every day, we’re making choices with the planet in mind.
Whether we’re:
- Fine-tuning our sprinklers for efficient water use to protect nearby waterways
- Applying just the right amount of compost that is based on annual soil testing
- Preparing for the arrival of bee hives
…we’re acting out of respect for the land that sustains us. It’s our quiet way of giving back.
🌿 3. Behind the Scenes of Our Organic Practices
Spring is when the soil starts to stir with life. Instead of synthetic fertilizers, we feed the soil with compost and fish emulsion—boosting the microbial activity underground that supports tree roots and helps nutrients become naturally available.
We’re not just growing apples—we’re building a healthy ecosystem from the ground up.
🐝 4. The Pollinators and the People
We watch the blossoms closely this time of year, waiting for the right moment to bring in the bee hives. Timing is everything. We want the bees to arrive when the flowers are just opening, maximizing their chance to do their work.
We set out five-gallon buckets filled with water and sticks so the bees can drink and have the opportunity to climb out safely. This year, like years past, we’ve added a repurposed tote cage to protect the hives from bears with a sweet tooth.
It’s a team effort—and the bees are just as much a part of that team as we are.
🌎 5. How You Can Help
There are simple, everyday choices we can all make to care for the earth:
✅ Choose local, organic fruit when you can
♻️ Compost your kitchen scraps
🍽️ Reduce food waste by using up what you buy
🛒 Support farmers at your local market or fruit stand
Every small step adds up.
💚 6. A Call to Action
This Earth Day, consider how your everyday choices impact the planet.
When you support small organic farms like ours—by visiting the farm stand, choosing certified organic produce, or telling a friend about what we do—you’re helping keep the soil alive, the water clean, and the pollinators thriving.
🌅 7. Full Circle
As I sit here finishing this note, the sun is sinking low over the orchard. I can hear the bees still working the apricot blossoms outside the window. It’s a quiet reminder from nature: we’re all part of this beautiful, interconnected world—and how we care for it matters.
