Sometimes, I have so many things I want to share with you, I don't even know where to begin. Right now, I have posts written in my head about the sheep breed we're choosing (oh ya, did I forget to mention we're getting a ewe?), the bees that will be arriving, the pigs and geese that will be coming next month, seeds that will be started, fruit trees that are on their way, and on and on.
It may be cold, snowy, and dark outside. But inside my homesteading heart, the sun is beaming with all the possibilities of spring. Homesteading work takes time and proper planning – so now is as good of time as any to get a head start on the chores.
But where do I start?
Oh – this is so hard! They're all so exciting!
Okay. Maybe let's start with the fruit trees. Because if you want to plant a homestead orchard this year, now is the time to get them ordered!
Based on the advice of my friend Quinn over at Reformation Acres, I sat back last year and didn't plant any fruit trees or berries (even though I really, really, realllly wanted to) so that I could get a good handle on the layout of our property. This proved to be super important and I'm very thankful I took her advice.
After a winter on the property, I now know where the sun hits during the long and the short days. I know where a tree needs to be planted to avoid the shade of other trees and where one that needs full sun should make a home. I know where water drains and where is susceptible to dry out. All valuable information for the home orchard.
But before I could even think about ordering trees, I checked with a local orchardist about regulations in our area regarding planting fruit trees.
You see, we live in the Apple Capital of the World. THE WORLD, people. That means, having orchards is a way of life around here. For generations and generations and generations of farmers. They depend on these apple and cherry orchards to feed their families. The last thing I want to do is bring in a bunch of trees that will infect their trees and cause them ruin.
After determining which varieties I would like to grow, I send the list over to my orchardist friend. He gave the list a once over, offered a few tips on varieties, and assured me that all of my choices would be fine additions to the area, so long as they were properly pruned and cared for to prevent disease and pests. He also warned me that if I wanted all the neighbors to hate me, I simply must plant a pie cherry tree – one of the most pest-laden trees there is (ie: the ‘satan of cherry trees').
I assured him that no pie cherry tree would set root upon this ‘ol homestead. And with his blessing, I went ahead and purchasing the trees.
And actually, no cherry tree of any variety was ordered.
The two biggest crops grown around these hills are apples and cherries. I figure if I have a shot at gleaning or purchasing bulk of these fruits for cheap, there wasn't a big enough drive to try and grow them myself when I could instead plant trees that produced a more rare and valuable fruit for us. Fruit that wasn't so easily, or inexpensively, acquired.
Before we talk about the varieties ordered, let's talk about a few tips for planning the homesteading orchard:
1. Source your trees from a reputable company or friend: The last thing you want to do is spent three years watching a tree grow, only to realize it's the wrong variety or deathly diseased. That would suck, wouldn't it? This go round, I chose to order all my fruit trees from One Green World. I was super happy with their selection, customer service, prices, and shipping policies. On top of that, reading their magazine was like earning a horticulture degree – I feel so much smart! (I'm not, but I feel it anyway.)
2. Map out your available space: Trees get big! And unlike your tomato plants, you won't be ripping these up each fall to “try again” next year. Nope. If you're planting fruit trees, you're in it for the long haul. There are dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties commonly available which will determine how much space you need to allot for each tree. Make sure that once it's full grown, it won't shade your garden beds (unless you want that) or run into a building. Trees need room to breath, man.
3. Pay attention to pollination requirements: Each variety and species of tree has different pollination requirements. Some are self-fertile, meaning they don't require another tree for pollination, whereas others require another tree of the same (or different) species for pollination. Make sure you pay attention to this – there's no point in planting a beautiful pear tree if you don't have another tree around that can pollinate that awesomeness!
4. Consult your county extension office for regulations on growing fruit trees and maintenance requirements of fruit trees in your area.
5. Dream big! Life's too short to be afraid of the years of investment a tree needs before it will bear you fruit. Just get on it already! There's no time like the present. And the world will be a better place for it!
… all that being said…
Let's talk about the trees we've decided on!
Pears: Conference and Honeysweet
Both old European varieties, I couldn't pass up these beauties. Pears are my absolute favorite fruit to preserve and between all the pear butter, canned pears, pear suace, dehydrated pears, and frozen pears they'll be one of the most used fruits hands-down. Pears require another pear tree for pollination, so I purchased two varieties.
Plums: Italian
The ‘ol standby variety of plum that is most noted for it's incredibly purple hue. I love this variety – it's tart, sweet, soft, and yet still semi-firm. Dried plums are one of our favorite snacks and I can only dream of all the delicious plum sauce that'll be made! Plus, you can't beat the fresh eating of these bad boys. They're fantastic.
Peach: Charlotte
Even in fruit country, peaches around here are expensive. And I totally understand why – they're like gold coins hanging on the tree limbs. Sweet nectar from heaven, it's hard to beat a fresh peach. I eat them fresh until my belly wants to explode. And then I eat some more. I made sure to get a variety that easily lets go of the pit in the middle so that they can easily be canned.
Apricot: Puget Sound
One of the most missed things about Pacific Northwestern life last year in Alabama was eating apricots at the start of summer. I love that they ripen earlier than any other fruit so that I can be a total glutton on them before moving onto the next harvest. Canned and dehydrated apricots are right up there with chocolate in my book. And apricot jam? Fuh-get-about-it. Stick a fork in me. I'm done.
Persimmon: Nikita's Gift (hybrid)
If life in Alabama last year taught me one thing, it's how to lust after a ripe persimmon. There's no other fruit like it in the world, and in my humble opinion, it's one of the most decadent and delicious. Persimmons don't grow too well up here (we are Zone 6), but this hybrid is hardy to -10 degrees and apparently performs well in our climate. It may not work but it's worth a try! If I can enjoy this fruit once again, it's worth it! I'm a little worried that it won't get enough long days in the sun, so I'll be sure to plant it on a south facing slope where it can get as much direct sunlight as possible.
Lemon: Improved Meyer
Say whaaaaat? A lemon tree in Washington State? Again, my year in Alabama spoiled me to the taste of a truly fresh lemon. And luckily for me, lemon trees do GREAT in large pots that can then be brought in during the cold winter months. It's probably not going to be an easy keeper or a fast grower, considering it's a bit out of it's comfort zone in our climate, but we do have super-hot summers which will be helpful. Why the heck not give it a try!
Red Jade currents, Hinnomaki yellow gooseberry, Purple Passion asparagus, and Canby Thornless raspberries also made the cut and will be used for a variety of culinary adventures.
Each of these varieties will take time to establish. This isn't a fast-food drive through joint. Oh no. Years and years will be invested into caring and nurturing these beautiful specimens. I'm sure that some of them will fail despite our best efforts. But that's part of the joy. Imagine how good that first apricot will taste years from now!
On top of building patience and appreciation, I like to think about these trees still standing generations from now, in all their glory.
I think planting a homestead orchard is one of the most delicious ways we have to spread our love for this homesteading life onto our children.
What's in YOUR homestead orchard?
For further reading:
Renae Frazier
Thank you for being considerate of your cherry growing neighbors because cherries are high maintenance and require a lot of ….do I dare say it….pesticides, in a major agricultural area such as this. One single cherry fruit fly that makes it from your single tree to our orchard and into the packing house shuts our operation down completely. I know people love the idea of organic cherries but I also know of several organic orchards that finally gave up the insect fight and went back to conventional farming methods. It can be done but it is extremely difficult and risky. Let orchardists who know the business grow cherries for you. Trust me…..we live surrounded by cherry orchards. We take great precautions regarding what and when we spray.
Shaye Elliott
Love this, Renae. I’ll take great care of my trees – and you’re free to come and inspect any time you please ๐ Frankly, I’m happy to not be growing such a difficult tree to care for. And I’m thankful that my neighbors do!
Beth
We live on just under 2 acres and we have been adding a few fruit trees every year to our orchard area. Right now we have 1 sweet cherry, 2 plum, 3 pear, 2 Asian pear, 2 peach, 4 Arkansas Black apple, 3 other apple, 2 meyer lemon and an orange tree. Most are still very young, but this should be our first harvest year for most of these. We are still planning on adding a jujube tree, persimmon and a pie cherry tree. Last year we really tried to focus on adding perennials to our homestead like asparagus, fruit trees, berries and herbs.
Ginny
Love all the fruit varieties you ordered! I don’t have a huge piece of property but last year I planted 5 fruit trees: 2 pears, 2 peaches and 1 sour cherry. Of course, I have to wait 5-7 years to enjoy their goodness but I know we’ll enjoy them in the years to come. I also planted 4 blueberry bushes and will probably plant 2 or 4 more. We eat blueberries like they’re going out of style! And I cook with them all the time.
Even though we have a small piece of property, I’m trying to make the most of what we have and get the most out of it. I think fruit trees, fruit bushes and our small garden will go a long way for us. Thanks for the inspiration! Also, I got your cookbook as a Christmas gift and I’m loving it! ๐
Lindsey Thomas
I really want to plant a couple of fruit trees. We have a very small yard and I don’t want too much shade for my garden so it would probably be limited to 2 or so. We did plant some blueberry bushes before we moved in but I’m a little scared to start planting fruit trees. Our plan is to only live in this house for 3-5 years and I’m not sure that we’ll be harvesting any real fruit in that time frame.
kim
it takes 3 -5 years to get fruit ๐
Pat
Lindsay,
My husband and I moved to our Massachusetts city home for 2-5 years, 15 years ago. Thankfully, one of the first things I did was revise the unproductive condo garden with fruit trees, berries, and grapes, then later adding raised vegetable beds.
I produce about 1/3 of our fruits and vegetables using organic methods and share with the neighbors. I added bees and shared the honey with the adjacent neighbors.
Now, as we contemplate finally moving on, Iโm certain we will have immediate interest in our home and it will sell quickly.
Plant the fruit tree(s). They are beautiful.
Jennifer
I don’t have any trees (yet) but my berry patch is my favorite part of the garden. I’m finding I’m definitely a perennial kind of gardener. I love having the same plants year after year. This should be our first year to harvest asparagus and I’m already talking about it! My poor non-gardening husband ๐
Alex
Aren’t you renting? Has the landlord approved this, and are you sure you’re going to be here to see the trees fruit?
Amanda
After reading about all the varieties of trees you are planting, I went and researched what I could plant in my area (borderline zone 3/4). I can’t believe how many different things I could grow that I didn’t even know would grow in my cold climate!
Can’t wait to start placing my orders as well!
Karla
How exciting! We’re excited, too, because this year we ordered bees and will be getting fruit trees (apple, peach, cherry) and blueberry bushes (in addition to the raspberries we planted last year). We already have a garden and will be adding to it. We want to get rid of grass and plant consumables!
Melissa
I live in snow Australia and I have a mini orchard on our property. I have just come across a new way of plant. It is called duos and trios where you plant two or three cross pollinating trees about 15 centermetres apart. That way they pollinate really well and protect each oth and you are only paying for one lot of netting. With bees being scares it makes for better crops as they don’t have to travel far between trees. I recommend planting some apple even if they are abundant in your area, you will love picking your own and eating it.
Shaye Elliott
Great ideas, Melissa!
kim
Brown turkey Fig and Red Haven Peach
Kelly
I like your list! Some of then are on my wish list. Right now we have 3 apples, honey crisp, paula red, and zestar. I wanted to out in a plum. But we are considering moving within a few years, so waiting on that. We also have 2 mulberries, 4 elderberry, 3 service berries, 2 types of gooseberry, one of which was supposedly thornless, but that is not the case! Ouchy! And we have 2 types of fall bearing raspberry, Anne (yellow) and polana (red). Tried blueberries, but 3 of the 5 died ๐
Shaye Elliott
It can be hard to get things established!
Angela Hawkins
I long for the day when I can plant fruit trees! Your future sounds mighty tasty!
Nikki
We have 2 figs, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, and strawberries. I’d love to invest in fruit-bearing trees, and your varieties sound like a great mix.
Cynthia Lopez
How do you keep the bugs off your fruit trees. Do you use a natural bug spray for your trees. I have pear trees and they are not doing so good. A friend told me to spray them every two weeks till time to pick, but I don’t want the chemical on my fruit. I asked him if the bug spray would be on the fruit and he said no. Is that true?
Shaye Elliott
We will have yet to spray our trees but have not yet come up with a good spray to use. Neem oil is good to use all around as an organic pesticide. We will be experimenting with different sprays. Let us know if you find something that works well.
dawn rae
Thank you so much for the post! I just purchased my land..and am already day dreaming about fruit trees. I , too, will try to wait and make informed choices. But it’s so hard to wait!
Maria
We have just closed on our New York property. We will be moving back in the next 3 montns. I have been researching homesteading and farming. I cannot wait to start planting my plot and seeing the fruit of our labors grow and provide our family with a sustainable life. Thank you for all of your information. I love all the knowledge I am taking in.