A Mason County apple orchard has experienced a total crop loss after a triple whammy of weather challenges. CBS Austin Chief Meteorologist Chikage Windler visited the orchard in October during what would typically be peak apple-picking season, but not this year.
Sonlight Apple Orchard started back in the 1980s as a test to see if apples typically grown in northern climates could be successful here in Texas. Nearly 40 years later, the orchard is dealing with its biggest test ever.
"So this is the sweetest apple growing in the United States," says Don Durflinger, owner of Sonlight Apple Orchard.
Farmer Don Durflinger says there's a unique combination of sandy soil, being far enough from the coast, and getting intense sunlight that makes Mason, Texas apples so sweet.
"Overall, I planted a thousand trees," Durflinger says.
Over the years, there have been good seasons and bad. This one (2023) is the worst.
"As bad as I remember, followed by last year, as bad as I remember. So we've had a long time of little rain," says Durflinger.
Only a handful of trees have survived the stress of bitter cold and extreme drought.
"It's really disappointing, isn't it?" asks Windler.
"Oh gosh, been disappointing for a long time. But we're just waiting for this drought to break," replied Durflinger.
Durflinger says irrigating with well water was never viable. You can see this 30-foot well is nearly dry.
"So I tapped into the city water. I didn't mind making payments the size of house payments to keep the orchard going," says Durflinger.
It worked. 2 miles of drip irrigation allowed the orchard to offset Mother Nature.
"2011 was a really tough one," Durflinger recalls, citing the only year in recorded history that was worse than the hot, dry weather we experienced in the summer of 2023. Despite the struggles in 2011, the orchard made it, and continued to offer pick-your-own apples until more extreme weather proved insurmountable.
"We had a bad freeze and I had a plumber in, and we patched all the breaks," says Durflinger, recalling the epic freeze and winter storm of 2021.
Once those were fixed and the summer heat came around, more leaks appeared, this time from another culprit.
"I patched all the leaks in the irrigation system down there. I remember one time I counted 18 different leaks, squirrels chewed into them." Durflinger says each time he fixed holes, new ones would appear. He says the squirrels were looking for water in the extreme heat and drought of the summer of 2022.
Then came more extreme cold followed by even higher heat and prolonged drought conditions in 2023. Nearly every tree in the orchard died. Durflinger made the difficult decision to close, posting an apology on his website, after nearly 40 years of business.
"I loved every minute of it. And when the people came out and they got the big smile on their face that they found the apple that they wanted to pick, it made my day," Durflinger says.
The few apples that managed to grow this season aren't worth picking.
"It sure shows like it hasn't gotten any water, because this apple should be about this big around," Durflinger explains, comparing the size of a tiny apple with how much larger it should have grown.
While some might give up after a total loss, 80-year-old Durflinger has other ideas.
"80 is the new 60," he quips.
He's thinking of what to plant next.
"And so apples will be one, peaches will be one. You could put blackberries in," Durflinger suggests.
He's ready to weather whatever the weather brings.
"Why should I just sit in a rocking chair and do nothing and be bored?" Durflinger explains.
Source - https://cbsaustin.com
