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GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
Edibles
Planning
the Home Orchard
 Nothing
is quite so satisfying as freshly picked fruit, and right
now is a great time to start your home orchard. How do you
start?
First,
consider how much space you have. A single fruit tree can
take up anywhere from a 2" X 6" to a 20"
X 20" area. Also, many fruits require cross-pollination
(meaning you need 2 varieties of the same fruit) to produce.
If you are lucky enough to live on a large piece of land,
this is not a problem.  For
those of us on small lots, there are options. Many fruits
are now grown on dwarf rootstocks which greatly reduce the
space required and even lend themselves to container growing.
Fruit trees are also available with multiple grafts to reduce
the number of trees required. A popular space-saving choice
is the espaliered tree, which can be grown flat against a
wall or fence.
Another
consideration for space saving is to utilize fruit trees as
part of your ornamental garden. Most fruit trees have great
ornamental value in their flowers and form; many even have
good fall colors.  It is actually quite easy to use fruit trees
as part of your overall landscape plan.
Site
selection and prep, as with all plants, is critical. Almost
all fruit benefits from a full sun site. Stone fruits such
as peaches and apricots appreciate not only sun but also
heat,
so a south facing wall or patio is a great place for them.
Check
the drainage of your site. Fruit trees appreciate consistent
moisture and well-drained soil. Prep the site by working
in about 30% well composted organic matter along with
mycorrhizae
and the appropriate amount of lime (calcium in the soil
plays
a vital part in fruit production, especially with apples
and
pears).  Plant
your trees in early spring. If buying bare root plants,
make
sure you are ready to plant the day you purchase them and
never let the roots dry out. Most new trees should require
little or no pruning the first year, and staking should
not
be necessary. If you are planting espaliered trees, guide
wires are usually recommended as part of the training process.
Maintaining
your new orchard is fairly straightforward. Pay attention
to water, especially the first season.  A root watering
attachment
for your hose is a great investment so you can irrigate deeply
as the plants mature. Keep the area around your trees free
of plant litter and debris.
In
January and February, spray with a combination of lime-sulfur
and summer weight oil
to
control most diseases. Most of your pruning will be done
midwinter while the trees are dormant. Sky has several
free pruning
seminars each year to help you learn. A
little planning and preparation now will yield a lifetime
of enjoying "the fruits of your labors."
Note:
Sky has an excellent handout on all the fruit trees we sell
as well as our event calendar with all upcoming seminars.
Copies are available in the store and on our website.
By Charlie Shull, W.C.N.
Skylights Spring 2004 Vol 18, No. 2
Other
articles on edibles
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