↞Our Orchard ↠

Our approach to farming is simple: respect the land, work with nature, and allow the fruit to develop as it should — naturally

The Orchard: At A Glance

📍 Location: Near Manali, Himachal Pradesh
⛰️ Altitude: ~1,800 metres above sea level
🌤️ Climate: Cool Himalayan temperate climate with moderate day-night temperature variation
🌱 Orchard Type: High-density apple plantation (Gala cultivars on M9 rootstock)

• Gala Varieties →
  • Gala Dark Baron
  • Gala Schniga Schnico Red
  • Gala Fenzem
  • Gala T-Rex
  • Gala Devil
  • Royal Delicious
  • Granny Smith

Altitude & Himalayan Climate

Why mountain apples taste different from those grown in warmer plains:-

  • Orchard located at ~1,800 metres altitude
  • Cooler temperatures slow down ripening
  • Natural day-night temperature difference enhances colour
  • Fruit matures gradually on the tree

The result:- Apples that develop deeper colour, brighter flavour, and a firm, satisfying crunch

Soil & Natural Fertility

Healthy soil = healthy apples


We focus on building living soil, not forcing growth. Our soil management includes:-

  • Organic matter enrichment

  • Mulching to retain moisture

  • Natural nutrient cycling

  • Microbial soil health

🪱 In-House Vermicompost:-We produce our own vermicompost using earthworms, creating nutrient-rich natural fertiliser that improves soil structure and plant health

Irrigation & Water Stewardship

Water in the orchard is managed carefully to ensure steady tree growth while avoiding unnecessary wastage

⛰️ Traditional Himalayan Kuhl:-

  • A natural mountain irrigation channel carrying glacier and spring water from the hills ensures steady water supply to the orchard

💧 Drip Irrigation:-

  • Water delivered directly to tree roots
  • Prevents evaporation loss
  • Ensures efficient usage

🛢️Water Storage Tanks:-

  • Backup storage for dry spells
  • Ensures continuity of irrigation

❄️ Winter Snow Recharge:-

  • Winter snowfall naturally replenishes groundwater and soil moisture

Pollination & Biodiversity

🌳 Self-Fertile Apple Cultivars:- Most varieties grown here are capable of self-pollination

🐝 Bee Colonies:- We maintain native Apis cerana honeybee colonies in the orchard to promote cross-pollination between trees and improve fruit set

Natural Pest & Disease Management

We rely on preventive ecological methods, not heavy chemical pesticides

🪤 Pheromone Traps:-

  •  Monitor and control insect populations

🟨 Sticky Pads:-

  • Manage insects and fruit flies

🌿 Neem-Based Sprays

🌼 Marigold Flower Beds:-

  • Repel harmful insects

  • Attract beneficial pollinators

Seasonal Orchard Calendar

Life in the orchard follows a natural rhythm through the year

⚠️ Note:- Exact timings may vary depending on seasonal weather conditions

 

Period Orchard Stage What Happens
Dec - Jan Dormant Stage Trees rest

Vermicompost applied

Natural dormant spray used to control overwintering pests
Jan - Feb Dormant Stage New trees planted in the orchard
February Silver Tip Stage First tiny buds begin to emerge from winter dormancy
March Half-Inch Green Stage Buds expand and early leaves begin to appear

Natural fungicides applied to prevent scab and mildew

Anti-hail nets installed

Natural horticultural oil used to manage overwintering insects
April Tight Cluster Stage Flower buds develop before bloom
May Petal Fall Stage Blossoms fall and fruit begins forming

Organic nutrition and pest control sprays applied
June Fruit Development – Stage 1 Apples begin early growth phase
July Fruit Development – Stage 2 Fruit continues growing and gaining size
July - Aug Harvest Season Apples reach maturity and are harvested
Aug - Oct Post Harvest Management Tree care, soil nutrition preparation
November Dormancy Begins Trees prepare for winter rest

Harvest Countdown

🚨 Note:- Harvest dates vary each year depending on fruit maturity, temperature patterns, rainfall, and natural seasonal variations. For this reason, the countdown timer should be viewed only as an approximate guide, as the actual harvest ultimately follows nature’s timing and the readiness of the fruit on the tree

Estimated harvest begins in...

128

Days

8

Hours

45

Minutes

40

Seconds

Today in the Orchard

Every week we share a glimpse of life inside the orchard — a small behind-the-scenes look at the journey your apples take, from blossoms on the tree to the fruit that eventually reaches your plate

 

The Orchard: At A Glance

  • Near Manali, Himachal Pradesh
  • ~1,800 meters above sea level
  • Cool Himalayan climate
  • Fruit matures gradually

High-Density apple plantation

Altitude & Himalayan Climate

  • High altitude (~1,800m)
  • Cool temps slow ripening
  • Day-night variation improves color
  • Natural fruit maturity

Soil & Natural Fertility

Organic matter enrichment
Mulching retains moisture
Natural nutrient cycling

Irrigation & Water Stewardship

Drip Irrigation
  • Direct root watering
  • Less evaporation
Traditional Kuhl
  • Natural mountain flow
Water Storage
  • Backup for dry periods

Pollination & Biodiversity

  • Self-fertile apple cultivars
  • Bee colonies improve yield
Period Stage What Happens
Dec - Jan Dormant Rest phase
March Green Stage Growth starts

What Our Customers Say (^_^)

Col. V. C. Katoch

— Greater Noida, UP

I received the apples today and honestly they
were surprisingly good. I’m really not
someone who eats fruits regularly and
apples are usually the very last thing I pick.
But these were genuinely delicious and
very fresh. I didn’t expect them to
taste this good. Thank you for sending
such lovely apples. I’m already thinking
of ordering another box for my
parents as well.

Dr. Pallavi Mishra

— Lucknow, UP

I shared some of the apples with my mother
and she absolutely loved them. When she
heard they were seasonal and would only
be available next year again she was
quite disappointed! She even said she had never
tasted apples like these before and coming
from her that means a lot because
she’s very particular about food and rarely
praises fruit!!

Krishna C.

— Bangalore, Karnataka

My kids are extremely picky when it comes to
food. But when I gave them these apples,
they kept eating them one after another.
They actually said the apples were
sweeter and tastier than the snacks they
usually ask for! We really enjoyed them and
I’ll definitely be ordering another box soon.

Dr. Yella Shekhar

— Mumbai, Maharashtra

Sir I actually ordered these apples mainly
because I saw that the orchard is run by an
army family. There is a certain level of
trust that comes with that, so I felt
confident giving them a try. My children are
quite sensitive to pesticides and chemicals, so we’re
usually very careful about where we buy
fruits and vegetables from. Thank you for
sending such wonderful apples. We truly enjoyed them.

Col. Shanjit Singh Bhullar

— Chandigarh, Punjab

Divya, honestly the main reason I ordered these
apples was because of you. Your reputation
from your army days itself was enough
for me to feel that whatever work you
start will be done properly and with
honesty not just for show. And I must say,
the apples really proved that right. The
moment we opened the box and had the first bite, we could
immediately feel that these were very
different from the usual market apples we
buy. Much sweeter, crisp and fresh. Really hats off to you for
taking up farming and doing it with the same
sincerity you carried during your service.
Thank you for sending such lovely apples.

Akshara Attri

— Gurgaon, Haryana

My father is 82 and this was actually the first
time he tried a gala apple. When he
took the first bite, could literally see the
glee in his eyes… He smiled like a little
kid. Since that day he keeps praising
them and now asks for one almost every
day as his evening snack. I honestly
didn’t expect him to like them this much.
Thank you for sending such wonderful apples.
It really made his day ❤️

Sameer Pathania

— Ahmedabad, Gujarat

The apples reached today and they were in
perfect condition. Packaging was also very
neat. We already used a couple of them
in our fruit salad and the crunch was
amazing. Really enjoyed them. Please keep
another box booked for us!! I think these
apples are now going to become a regular part
of our daily menu.

Gauri Sachar

— Patiala, Punjab
★★★★★

Divya, my husband almost never eats apples with
the skin. The last time he did was when we
were posted in the Srinagar valley more
than 30 years ago. Since then he always
peels them before eating. But with these
apples he actually ate them with the skin,
which really says a lot about how much he
liked them and also the trust he has
in you. Truly wonderful apples. Thank
you for sending us this box, we thoroughly
enjoyed them.

Rohini Bhattacharya

— Gurgaon, Haryana
★★★★★

Thank you dear for the beautiful box of apples.
They were really delicious and came out
wonderfully in the pies I made!!!

Usha Parmar

— Noida, UP
★★★★★

Just tasted the apples you sent us they were
truly wonderful. Sending you lots of
love and blessings. They were so delicious
that the entire box finished in just a
few days at home. Now we are already
looking forward to next year’s harvest.

Anuradha Kher

— Indore, MP
★★★★★

It was completely a different experience to
anything that I have bought in the
market. The apples had an incredible natural
shine without any wax coating and tasted
incredibly sweet with a slight tang. The
delivery was also within the stipulated
time. Sir you have a lifelong customer in
me. Thank you so much!!

Prachi Guleria

— Udhampur, J&K
★★★★★

We had served your apples yesterday to
some guests who came at home, and they
instantly started asking where we got it
from. That in itself speaks about how
distinctly different they taste
from the supermarket ones. I cannot thank
you enough for these delicious snacks.
Eagerly looking forward to next year's bunch too 🙏🏻😄

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