Comeback Orchards is a 10-acre farm in Asbury, NJ, that grows organic fruit, including apples, pears, Asian pears, plums, apricots, cherries, peaches, and nectarines, as well as organic vegetables, which they sell primarily at farmers markets.
They received a $3,116 grant to diversify their orchard and support pollinators by adding 350 highbush blueberry plants, 25 mason bee houses, and wildflower plantings. It has been a big year for Comeback Orchards. Owner Peter Tischler informed us that, “after seven years of farming on my friend’s farm, we’ve decided to end our partnership.” Thankfully, he will be able to move his project to a new farm. He told us, “I’m in the process of digging up the trees and berry plants and moving the orchard 30 miles north.” Despite this change of plans, he harvested mason bee cocoons to overwinter and release on the new farm. He also sowed wildflower plantings at the new farm.
