North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["del stubbs" <pinewoodel@hotmail.com>]

> I am in the planning stages of making an apple orchard.  I put in 10 trees
> for now and plan on another 50 in the spring and 50 in the fall.  
> Altogether
> I plan on about a 300-tree orchard.
> > Thanks,>Mike

MIke, I'm in the 5 th  year of heading toward a 300 tree orchard.  Most are 
on seedling stock so it is just thinking about blooming next year a bit. Way 
too much fun. Nafex folk are where I get most of my inspiration and help / 
links to knowledge.  Wish I had found them sooner.
I winged it completely on my own, plenty of mistakes made naturally..... my 
main recommendation would be to somehow have a couple orchardists visit for 
advice on layout spacing, varieties, irrigation, location, wind breaks, 
local disease concerns (varieties to avoid),  rootstock / pruning choices 
toward how you will be picking, soil conditioning (easier before planting), 
etc.
It's useful  to always include your ag zone in nafex messages.
I just had a knowledgeable nafexer visit and gave much needed pruning 
advice, and he pointed out first fruit buds I'd missed. Good luck Mike, have 
too much fun, Del

Del Stubbs  www.pinewoodforge.com  ag zone2/3

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