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Our Story
A word from the owner
“I grew up on a farm in Coaticook. It really shaped me. I’ve always loved being close to nature. I actually learned apple growing here in Compton, at Verger Gagnon, where I worked for many years. I was trained by Gilles, Hertel, and Marcel Gagnon, guys who truly knew apple growing and all its challenges. Their father, Ubald, was the one who brought apple growing to Compton in the 1930s. He was the first to see that the Compton microclimate was perfect for it.
He really opened the door for a lot of growers in the region. Because of him, around Sherbrooke and Coaticook, Compton basically became known for apples. In 1996, I bought Verger La Pommalbonne. Before that, I had a farm for 18 years, but I eventually chose to focus fully on fruit growing.
Today, you can still find me around the kiosk or in the orchard, keeping an eye on the health of the land around me, with my son David by my side. Very much guided by environmental values, we try to work in the most respectful way possible here at Verger La Pommalbonne, with support from the Club Agroenvironnemental de l’Estrie (CAE). We’re always working toward a better environment.
Family means a lot to me here too. My son will likely follow in my footsteps as an apple grower, just like his grandfather and great-grandfather did. That’s how the tradition continues in our family. And I think you’ll feel it when you come here: the warm, family atmosphere that’s also carried by other members of my family working with us.”
Germain Lafond, 1959–2022
Father – Accomplished Entrepreneur – Apple Grower
Verger La Pommalbonne would like to thank all its customers and visitors for their generosity!
The Grower’s Corner
Many of you have asked us about the different stages in the growth of apple trees and their fruit. We are always happy to share our passion for apple growing and our pride in our family business.
Here, you’ll discover various aspects of apple cultivation. You may be surprised by just how many tasks are required throughout the year before you can bite into a perfectly ripe apple.
We hope that sharing our knowledge helps answer your questions and inspires future apple growers in the making!
Happy reading.
Planting Apple Trees
Every year, visitors ask about their apple trees at home. Some already have some on their property, others want to plant a few to embellish their decor.
Whether you want to admire the apple blossom or grow a few apples to satisfy your stomach, there are a few tips we'd like to share with you.
When
Here at Verger La Pommalbonne, we plant between 150 and 625 apple trees every year, always in spring, in late April to early May.
At this time, when the ground has fully thawed, conditions are ideal for the trees to begin developing their root system. Since the roots are fragile at planting, they need the entire summer and fall to spread and strengthen.
This way, the tree will be able to better withstand its first winter.
Where?
Choosing the right location for your apple trees is essential. Soil type plays a very important role, as apple trees can be quite particular about soil quality.
An ideal spot is one with rich, dark soil that is slightly sandy and naturally well-drained. Apple trees do not like “wet feet.” Wet, muddy, or clay-heavy soils will not suit them.
Choose a well-lit area for planting your apple trees and keep them away from any tall obstacles. This will allow the trees to grow properly, and later on, your fruit will benefit from the best possible sunlight exposure.
Tips
You can purchase apple trees at most nurseries, greenhouses, and garden centres.
Be sure to ask about the available varieties. Try to choose scab-resistant cultivars for better fruit quality.
During the first few years of the tree, remove all apples that appear after flowering. This allows the tree to focus its energy on growing strong branches rather than developing fruit.
Water your tree regularly when rainfall is scarce, especially during the first two years, as apple trees are vulnerable to drought.
A light application of a soluble fertilizer (10-52-10) may be recommended after planting.
Installing a trunk protector is also advised to prevent damage to the bark when mowing the lawn.
Using a stake to help the tree grow straight can greatly support proper development.
Myth or Reality
“I planted a single apple tree on my property and it has never produced apples, even though every spring it is covered in blossoms.”
Yes, planting just one apple tree, if there are none others nearby, can lead to this situation. Why? It all comes down to pollination. (Here is a simple explanation of the process, as nature is actually a bit more complex.) Many varieties produce flowers that are all of the same type. However, successful pollination requires pollen from compatible flower types.
Pollen is carried by wind and by pollinating insects. Some varieties are self-fertile, but most are not. Therefore, the best way to avoid this situation is to plant at least two apple trees of different varieties.
April 2020 at La Pommalbonne
Cortland, Honeycrisp, Sunrise, Paulared, McIntosh, Belmac, Ambrosia, Royal Cortland, and Ginger Gold. Over 575 apple trees, across 9 cultivars, were planted this spring. This planting aims to rejuvenate certain orchard rows and complete others originally planted in 2018, where several trees did not survive a winter frost event in 2019.
To renew the orchard, we removed some trees that were nearly 50 years old. These trees were damaged and had become less productive. After cutting them down, we proceeded with stump removal to leave the soil as clear as possible, allowing apple roots to develop freely.
A very important step in orchard management is layout marking. Each variety has its own characteristics. We must carefully calculate the spacing between each tree and between rows.
This is essential to optimize the number of trees per area, ensure easy movement without damaging branches, and avoid limiting tree production. For example, Cortland apple trees tend to have branches that bend downward like a willow, while McIntosh trees spread out much more widely.
As a result, spacing between McIntosh trees needs to be slightly larger. In this case, between existing rows, we were able to add two new rows. We calculated a spacing of 9 feet between trees and 15 feet between rows.
After marking, we dig the holes. Fortunately, we have an essential tool to help with the more than 575 holes needed: an auger attached to a tractor, allowing us to dig holes over 24 inches deep and about 16 inches wide.
This ensures that when the trees are planted, their roots are placed in loose soil with minimal resistance, allowing them to spread freely during their first year. Finally, we proceed with planting the trees and installing trunk protectors.
These protectors help shield the trunk from rodents and prevent damage from lawn equipment used between the rows.
We then reinstall the irrigation system. Everything is now in place for our apple trees to grow under the best possible conditions and reach maturity in about ten years.
There are also other planting methods used in different orchards. We are sharing here the experience we have built over generations. This more traditional approach has given us the highest success rate with our new plantings. Choose the method that best suits your land conditions. Good luck and above all, patience.
