My Backyard Fruit Orchard
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6 years ago
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windberry zone5a BCCanada
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Extreme pruning for backyard orchard culture - does it work?
Comments (44)Here is a bit of an update on my on highly pruned trees. I have 4 sweeet cherries, all pruned to less than 7 ft tall, all started as whips 4 or 5 years ago. Last year they bloomed but no fruit due to a late frost. Here are photos with 2 of those trees now, one is blooming well and the other is almost open. The others are either blooming or almost blooming. I also have several apples, a pear, and figs, which have been pruned with a similar philosophy, but it's too early to post photos from this year's flowers or fruits. The apples and pear look like they'll also have lots of flowers. Maybe it does work. We'll see. Since there are lots of flowers now, maybe there will be lots of cherries this summer. There is still some room for more growth, I can let them get to 7 or 8 foot without a problem, but plan to continue the somewhat drastic summer pruning as we have done so far. These were from a big box store and it did not state what rootstock, other than 'semi dwarf'. I did not use to multi-trees per hole method because I was not aware of it at the time, but otherwise am doing the summer pruning as described for backyard orchard culture....See MoreAre any nut trees suitable for Backyard Orchard Culture Method?
Comments (3)Hazels/filberts would probably come closest to fitting the bill - but I've got no experience with them, other than the native American hazels growing wild on the farm here. Garfield Shults, in Homedale ID, has developed a 'dwarf' strain of Carpathian walnut that comes 'true' from seed. I've got one that's been in the ground for nearly 10 years now, and it's really more of a bush than a tree - still less than 8 ft tall - will probably produce some nuts this year. There is at least one 'dwarf' hickory - "Chetopa", a shellbark selection that, when discovered, was bearing heavily and only 8-10 ft tall. Scionwood was collected and grafted, but when the 'discoverer' went back to get more, the original tree was gone(bulldozer). England's Orchard & Nursery used to offer this variety - may still have it, or might custom-graft a tree for you(but you'd probably need a full size companion to pollenize it)....See MoreLooking for Backyard Orchard growers in Central Ohio
Comments (12)Hi Kimberly, I am just north of you. I have a half acre, very wooded subivision lot that is crammed with all the fruit my husband will let me plant. (Most of my landscaping is getting replaced with ornamental bushes that fruit!) One suggestion that I would have for you is to pick very disease resistant, low-care trees/bushes/plants. My friend who lives around the corner from me has a large planting of apples, pears, cheries, etc., but has a lot of trouble with insects and disease. There are definitely varieties of apples and pears that are easier to grow than others due to disease resistance. Sweet cherries are going to be tough without a lot of spraying. I have two Carmine Jewel cherry bushes that are more like pie cherries but only get 6 feet tall, so they can be netted. Birds and especially squirrels are a big problem here. If I had your space, I would definitely do the cane fruits - Navaho and Triple Crown blackberries, Caroline red raspberries, Jewell black raspberries, etc. Easy - and if you net them, you will get to eat them. Some unusual and low care fruit trees you might consider are American Persimmon - Yates is supposed to be delicious and productive without a male. I am going to plant a Nikita's Gift hybrid persimmon in the spring. Also, an Illinois Everbearing mulberry gets lots of good reviews on this forum. The animals are the only thing you will have to fight for those trees. Both persimmons and mulberries are extremely nutritious, too. Good luck and have fun! Mary Kay...See MoreMy First Backyard Orchard
Comments (13)I must say starting an orchard as a first for growing edibles is bold. I would encourage you to contact your county agrilife extension service and see if they have any information that would help you be successful. Plum, pears, and peaches are commonly grown in your area. I use to live in the Dallas area and do not remember anyone growing apples or cherries. The close space fruit tree growing seems to work best in dry climates like California. I would pay attention to what scottfsmith on this forum writes since he has similar humid conditions like you have. Someone closer to home is Neil Sperry. I think he still has a call in show on one of the Dallas radio stations on Saturday. He talks more about flowers than fruits but is knowledgeable on both. You will need to watch out for fire blight on the apples and pears. Peaches and plums are bad about getting brown rot. This forum has been very interesting for me seeing what everyone is growing and if I have a chance to grow them in southeast Texas. It has saved me money and time by finding out what might be possible and what would be a waste of resources. Just remember, all of us have made mistakes and over time we can be successful growing something....See MoreVHD
6 years agowindberry zone5a BCCanada
6 years agospartanapples
6 years agoKevin Reilly
6 years agoCori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoVHD
6 years agoCori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy
6 years ago
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