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Planting New Gala Trees

May 24, 2021

On May 1st, 2021 Bardenhagen Farms planted 2 blocks of new apple trees ( Gala & Honeycrisp) at a high-density spacing of 3-4 feet between trees.  The above video shows the crew and equipment used to plant the block of Gala Apples at a 4 ft spacing.

The tractor is using GPS and auto-steer to keep the rows exactly 16 ft apart.  As the person on the planter puts in the new apple tree, a crew goes beside the planter to hand trees to the person on the planter as 4 ft goes by very fast.

After the tree is put in the ground, then other crew members raise the tree to the right level (

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Recipe: Sharon Higaki’s German Apple Cake

March 19, 2021
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp. vanilla

Add the above wet ingredients to a bowl and mix until well combined (I do this by hand) then add the following dry ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. salt

In another bowl, combine:

  • 4 cups chopped peeled tart apples (medium diced). Best made with
    Bardenhagen apples!
  • ¾ cup chopped pecans

Fold apples and pecans into the thick batter mixture until apples are coated. Pour into a greased 9 X 13 X 2-inch pan.

Bake at 350 degre

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Recipe: German Apple Cake

First Last / February 18, 2021

Apple Slices

  • 5 Apples (cooking – such as Gingergold, McIntosh)
  • 5 Tbs. sugar
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • Peel, core, and slice apples thin. Toss with sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.

Batter

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 cup salad oil
  • 2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 t vanilla
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp. baking soda

Blend the ingredients with an electric mixer and beat at high speed for 3 minutes. The batter should be very thick. Grease and flour 10” tube pan or bundt pan. Alternate with batter and apples in laye

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Recipe: Jan’s Apple Crisp

First Last / February 18, 2021
  • 5 cups sliced, peeled apples
  • 2-4 Tbs. sugar
  • ½ cup regular rolled oats
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp. cinnamon
  • ¼ cup margarine or butter
  • ¼ cup chopped nuts

Filling
Place fruit in an 11 X 7-inch baking dish or an 8 X 1 ½ inch round baking dish and stir in the sugar.

Topping
In a medium mixing bowl combine oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in margarine or butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts. Sprinkle topping over the filling

Baking
Bake in a 375-degree oven for approximately 40

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Dormant Pruning Gingergolds

February 17, 2021

Pruning Apples

We start dormant pruning our older apples from December 1st on through mid-April.  We cut off suckers with excessive growth off.  Some limbs are cut off to give ample spacing for good light (need light for good buds) and enable picking at harvest time.  Some limbs are tipped to a good bud or weak branch going in the desired direction to contain the tree so it doesn’t invade the equipment travel lanes and depending on the training system being used,  will trim to keep a Christmas tree shape in order for the tree to get good light as the sun goes across the sky. 

Also, some buds or small limbs are removed to manage the crop load for even bearing crop year after year as only about 5% of the apple flowers are neede

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Contact

Bardenhagen Farms
7881 E Pertner Rd
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
Phone (231) 218-3199

Hours

Daily: 8 am - 8 pm

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