Many people think summer is the best time to plant trees and improve their land, but experienced orchard owners know that fall is when land is in its prime.
Food orchards are becoming increasingly popular for both urban and suburban properties. You may be interested in growing a specialty crop for your family or adding an income stream for your household.
Why should I add specialty crops to my land?
Specialty crops can create important diversity for your land and profitability for a farm in down seasons.
There are many reasons to add a specialty crop. There may be a market demand for a particular fruit or nut. Or you may want to increase the conservation value of your property.
What are the keys to creating your best orchard?
Choose your site
For an orchard to succeed, it needs to have a solid foundation on which to grow. You’ll want to find a site with adequate space, plenty of sunlight, and well-drained soil. Different varieties of specialty food crops thrive in various climates, so you’ll need to ensure your desired tree species and your property’s location are a good match.
The USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone map is a great way to gauge which types of trees would thrive in your location.
Soil drainage is also essential. Get a soil test done or check out the USDA’s Web Soil Survey to ensure your property’s soil type is best for your trees’ flourishing.
A rolling landscape protects the land from harsh wind. Too much exposure to strong winds isn’t good for any crop, but despite their sturdy looks, apple trees are susceptible to the effects of wind. Make sure your trees have decent protection from strong winds to prevent the delicate branches of your trees from snapping and the fruit from bruising.
Choosing Your Crop
There are many crop options to consider, from the typical to the unusual. Consider your interest, available resources, the market, and site favorability. Contact your county extension service’s Farm Service Agency or USDA Rural Information Center office for advice on crop choice for your area and soil and site recommendations. Their literature and expert specialists can also guide you on possible grants, crop subsidies, and reimbursements.
Tips For Planning, Planting, and Caring for Your Orchard
- Planting different species of the same fruit benefits pollination for many, including apples, persimmons, pawpaw, and chestnuts. By increasing species variety, more bees and other pollinators are attracted, improving pollination.
- Patience is essential when growing trees. It can take trees anywhere from two to seven years to turn a profit.
Why should I plant RPM-produced container-grown material?
Successful plantings can be established from either bare-root or container stock. Bare-root trees can be more economical and convenient to handle, transport, and plant. However, they must be planted in late fall or early spring and require extra care to help young seedlings survive in the first season.
RPM container-grown materials are better value than bare-root stock. They cost more per unit in the beginning. However, RPM-produced tree roots are more fibrous, creating lateral root growth faster. This will produce earlier crop yields and save you money in the long term.
RPM trees increase your project’s success. RPM container trees can be planted almost any time of the year, and all species—even those typically more challenging to transplant—demonstrate unsurpassed establishment success. RPM trees enjoy greater than 90% survivability on even tough sites compared to bare roots, which typically have less than 50% survivability.
Learn more about Forrest Keeling’s patented RPM-production technique. If you’re considering adding a native specialty crop to your home or farmland, download our Specialty Crop booklet for more ideas.