Starting an "Orchard"

[LeslieH]

As previously noted, I am trying to build up my fruit production.
currently I have 4 apple trees, 3 of which produce and another 3 that I planted this spring - semi dwarfs while the others are standards.

I've also planted Jostaberry, gooseberry, raspberry, high bush cranberry and pawpaw and beach plum, oh and a couple of different grapes.

I'm hoping, this coming spring, to add apricot, sour cherry, elderberry, currants and probably more plums (cinnamon plum jam was a huge hit at the market). The year following, pears and I'm sure something else. LOL

If anyone has any experience with any of these, I'd love to hear! I read as I'm able but there's something about knowing the person who's writing their experiences, compared to anonymous articles in magazines, books or online.

Where I'm putting the new plants is a challenge. It is where a bunch of 4 story white pines stood not a month ago. The holes will be vast and filled with pure compost, and I'm in the process of on-site composting with shredded leaves and grass clippings in a lasagna style mulching. Hopefully the amending I'm starting now will be very close to finished by the time the plants/trees get through their composted holes.

I truly don't know anything about average yield per tree, the amount of fruit that should be thinned - except for apples - common diseases, etc. So any information will be accepted with glee.

thanks.
Leslie in NY

[mommagoose]

Leslie have you visited the Cornell berry site? There is a lot of the information you are looking for there. I have 12 black currant bushes that are about 8 years old. They have done really well since the 2006 flood. They were washed completely over and I figured they were dead but I cleaned off the mud and debris and they have flourished. Since that time we have also let our chickens roam the same area and they keep the weeds trimmed down around the currants which also helps them. I also have 3 huge gooseberry bushes probably at least 7 feet tall. I am not very fond of the flavor of the gooseberries. They have huge thorns and are very bland. I have no idea the name of the goosberries but they are the ones with a pink blush. I planted six red currants at the same time as I did the black ones but they are not doing well at all. There is a disease that currants get from pine trees so be aware of that before you plant on pine ground.
Good luck.
Linda

[LeslieH]

Thanks for the gooseberry info.
I've seen Cornell's site for the beach plum, but haven't explored it for others.
Gooseberries I know aren't native to North America, and my mom wrinkles her nose at them. I had a couple given to me, so if they live, great. If not, fine. I'm not too concerned about them.
I know gooseberry and jostaberry can transmit the disease white pines get, but they aren't banned from NY, so I don't know if that's what nailed your red currants or not. However, it will make me think twice about getting the red ones. Why waste the money and effort for less hardy stock?
I'm more than willing to post my efforts, progress and findings. I just hope someone can help as you have so there's less wasted time.
L