Are they worth it

[Main Admin]

Are orchards worth the bother with, it would take years before a new one got established wouldn't it? Would they be hard work to keep and I'm guessing it would have to be the right condition for certain variaties to grow, ie some varieties of apples may not grow around my parts.

[oldmoleskins]

Well, Chuckie-bhoy, I'm going to plant one this autumn. I have no particular use for the fruit it may produce, but like so much in gardening, it's not a 'return' in the literal sense I'm after (just spent a small fortune on "half-price" herb seeds, probably that's uneconomic too) but the pleasure, my dear, the pleasure...

I was going to start (a bit late admittedly) just after we moved, this Spring. My local supplier who could have sold me container trees persuaded me to wait 'til October when he could let me have bare-roots at half the price or less.
As a lovely Bramley that I was planting around has just collapsed (age+huge crop+heavy rainfall+b***** rabbits burrowing) in a way I'm pleased I waited - I can start with a 'clean slate' now in planning it.

The one reservation I do have is the pruning.
It seems so complicated I fear it may be one of those jobs I put off until it's too late. Mind you, the farmer next door who has a 'pick your own' orchard just this year (through lack of interest, can you believe) took out every other row of mixed apples so he could get a tractor down what's left, and then cut the tops out of the remainder with a hedging flail. He's got a fantastic crop, so maybe it's not so techical after all...

As for when you might get some fruit - a couple of years probably, depends on the trees you buy; as for varieties for you, yes, you need whatever produces in a relatively short season. Ken Muir Nursery (www.kenmuir.co.uk/) is great and sells 'Minarette' trees that might suit you. Though down south, he would give good advice on suitable varieties, I'm sure.

OM

[4pygmies]

Splutter, splutter...deep breath...OF COURSE it's worth it!!! For much the same reason that gardeners plant decorative trees/ hedges/ borders etc that they may never see mature. It's fun, good for you and good for the planet. I went mad with fruit trees when I moved here and have had fantastic crops for quite a few years now which gives me an enormous sense of achievement. Three years ago I planted an Egremont Russet (my favourite apple EVER) and it has been cropping really well ever since (1st year 23 huge apples..). I know I'm very fortunate to have the space but as OM says there are lots of mini fruit trees available now - how about an orchard in big pots that you take with you when you move? You could even have a citrus fruit orchard then. That would be a solution to your question as you could give each one its perfect soil, site and they're easy to maintain! Go on CB, you know you want to....

[isabella]

We haven't got a large enough garden to have an Orchard so instead we have 12 cordon fruit trees -4 Pears, 4Cooking apples and 4 Eating apples.
Also Blueberries,Grapevines,a Cherry ,Peach and Nectarine in pots,Rhubarb and a newly planted Apricot.

Of course it's worth it!!!!







These are some pictures of our veg garden - the Fruit trees are on the boundaries

[Deleted]

Of course orchards are worth it.

The pleasure of being able to pick your own fruit off the tree/bush/plant and eat it preferably standing in the garden but also with a meal. Also the pleasure of giving fresh fruit to friends and neighbours. The challenge of getting the pruning right and lots more.

If I had more space I would have a real orchard with all sorts of different trees but one in particular would be a greengage.

I don't have a lot of room but I have 10 Minarette apples and pears, a row of summer raspberries, a row of autumn raspberries, a black, red and white currant bush, three blueberry bushes, two jostaberries, a Japanese wineberry, a tay berry and strawberry plants.
Enough fruit for me to eat fresh and for the freezer and for jams and for family and friends.

[Auricula]

I have started a tiny orchard and am very pleased with it - it began to be productive in its first full year

[Deleted]

:-[can anyone tell me how to get apples that arent leftovers of a wasp/worm banquet

[oldmoleskins]

Sorry, gardenstarry, I've been hoping someone with more experience than me would step in - but I'll tell you what I've heard over the years:

Most of the bugs that plague you are food for birds - hang birdfeeders in the tree or nearby to encourage them in to help.

Wasps can be distracted and removed with close-by wasp traps

Earwigs - I kid you not - eat apple bug eggs, but not apples, so encourage them with an upside-down small flowerpot on a cane against the trunk as a refuge

If practical (depends on tree size) a soap spray and direct, assiduous "picking off" may be the only sure way of protection

Keeping the area around and beneath clear of bug-friendly habitat might help.

What was the question: are they worth it?...

OM

[MamIDdau]

Wow isabella, that's a veg patch and a half!!

The house I've just moved into has a veg patch at the top but it needs a LOT of work.

There's rhubarb, raspberries, figs and kiwi(!) and I think the landlord grew potatoes there too. I don't eat a lot of veg so no point me growing anything more than potatoes, onions and garlic.

I'd like to grow some fruit trees and we had some at work that were reduced to £5 but I hadn't moved house at the time. It was my favourite too-Braeburn. Hope they have some more stock in next year... I'll have to creep to the gardening manager to get it reduced ;-)

Only thing I worry about in fruit gardening etc is I know where it's been. I know that sounds stupid and I know that all fruit and veg bought from shops has prolly been all over the place but it's like a "can't see can't affect me" attitude. If I know what's been crawling all over the stuff and that wasps have been on them I just know I won't eat them. I'd love to grow them though.

[MamIDdau]

Sorry when I say the house has a veg patch at the top I mean the garden... <G>

[Deleted]

I'm definitely going the fruit bush route (red/black currant/blueberries) ) and want a cherry tree, gooseberries/raspberries. i haven't thought about apples/pears/plums yet, but then there is always next year.

worth it ? i'd say so. you're playing with silver birches, which are a long term project aren't you ? why don't you have a chat with a local nursery for suitable varieties for elgin. not sure you'd managed to get a tree on the rig though.

;D

[sweetleaf]

I have a small apple tree in my tiny back garden, which produced this year (1st yr) ONE tiny little apple.... all the blossoms got caught by a late frost, but its very ornamental when in bloom and worth it just for that! I had a peach tree which failed to establish and died I was upset as Id bought it to celebrate our anniversary... serves me right for buying it from Homebase <doh>
On the lottie there are 4 plum trees 3 are shared by myself and my neighbour but one is mine and they have produced prolifically this year, yum! I made 14lb of jam, and could have made more, wish I had as my son loves the stuff and Im already down to the last 2 2lb jars!
Next year I plan to grow Jostaberries, Raspberries, Strawberries and Gooseberries on the lottie. I`ve ordered them from The Organic Gardening Catalogue and have prepared the ground already. OH has been informed the fruit cage is his job lol!
I also want to grow Cranberries, but for some reason cant find any, anyone got any links?

[netherfield]

We planted 5 each of Apple,Pear and Plum two years ago,this year the return as been about 10 pears.
We are growing them more for the interest than the fruit,luckily i have a friend who knows all about pruning fruit so he pops in and does the job for me.

[isabella]

Hello sweetleaf, Homebase have packs of 6 Cranberry plants for £9.99

[sweetleaf]

Thanks Isabella! Ill get down there.