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Orchard Planning

Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 7:55 am
by Shelsmiles
We are planning a small home orchard. I'm thinking six apple trees and three pear trees. Three varieties of apple and three varieties of pear. Apples and pears both require cross pollinators for good production. I have planned for that and am buying semi dwarf sized trees. I have also planned for staggered ripening so one variety of each is ready in late Swotember, one in Mid October and one in Early November. I'm leaving plenty of room for additional planting of plum trees and a possible cherry tree later if I decide that's a good idea and ann planting 15 feet apart. I have a great place to plant far enough away from Main water and septic lines but close enough to water for the first year. Does anyone have a small orchard who has any advice to give?

Re: Orchard Planning

Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 1:38 pm
by dlrcpa
No advice but sounds very exciting. Are the bees going to be close by for pollination?
You may also have to think about keeping deer from chewing on the bark when the trees are young.

I planted 2 pecan trees on my property but one died and the other one is now in too much shade. They require 2 trees to get nuts.

Re: Orchard Planning

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 1:58 pm
by ErinHuffstetler
Does anyone have a small orchard who has any advice to give?
Yep, we have a small orchard in our backyard: two apricot bushes, three apple trees, and two cherry bushes. Definitely be ready for the pests. Codling moths hit as soon as you have flower buds, and will ruin the fruit, if you don't deal with them right away. Here's the solution that I devised: http://www.myfrugalhome.com/cheap-organ ... uit-trees/

Re: Orchard Planning

Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:47 pm
by Shelsmiles
Thanks Erin. We plan a semi permanent fence around our orchard to keep the deer at bay. Dogs do a great job with coon, but other pests will definitely be a concern. Thanks for the tip!