North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[John Bunker <john.p.bunker@gmail.com>]

Hello Sam,

Rather than write to you directly, I thought that I would address the group.   Although I do have some ideas about what apples will do well in Penobscot, your question poses a larger issue.  It's one that many -perhaps all - growers face as they prepare to plant or add to an orchard large or small.  What varieties will do well in my own locale?  There is no one who can answer that question for everyone.  The country is too large and too diverse.  Still, your question is one that I am frequently asked - as you might imagine.   Here's how I answer it:  Find people in your area who are or have been growing trees and ask them what grows well.  If you don't know any fruit growers, fret not.  Fruit tree growers tend to be friendly folk.  When you see trees in someone's yard, stop and ask. As I was first planting trees years ago, I spend a lot of time tasting fruit from the old trees in the neighborhood and then grafted the ones I liked. Some I didn't even yet know the names.  Most did very well.  Old books and other historical records can also be a big help in learning about what will do well in your area.  Fairs and scion exchanges are also great places to meet other local growers and get access to local plant material.  

Of course, even if you know an area well, making suggestions is tricky because personal tastes vary so greatly.  However, if you'd like some of  my thoughts about what would do well on the Blue Hill peninsula,  feel free to be in touch.

Regards to all,

John Bunker

Fedco

trees@fedcoseeds.com

www.fedcoseeds.com 

PO Box 520

Waterville ME 04903

207-873-7333

On Jan 9, 2011, at 10:58 PM, sam bucus wrote:

Hello,

My family and I will be moving this spring to Penobscot, Maine in Hancock County, zone 5 on the Blue Hill Peninsula in mid-coast Maine a cool temperate area with high humidity/foggy climate due to its proximity to the ocean. We would like to plant a small orchard, maybe 12 standard trees, of primarily apples. We would love a few dessert and fall apple varieties for immediate eating, but also want a lot of storage apples for winter and the next spring, winter cider making, cooking, etc.

 

I am aware of Fedco Trees, and that is where we will be getting our trees I reckon. I have read their catalogue, but am seeking advice on what apples may, or may not suit our area. The reason I am concerned is that we are very close to the ocean, under a mile to the back of a long cove/inlet (Bagaduce), the summer is cool and the climate is generally humid/foggy so I am particularly worried about susceptibility to scab and other diseases. The soil is silty loam at the surface with a high (4.1%) organic matter content, moving to silty clay at about 65 inches, pH 5.8.

 

Can anyone recommend some varieties that we can manage organically that will be able to handle the humidity and disease pressures?

 

Thanks!

Sam.

_______________________________________________
nafex mailing list
nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Reproduction of list messages or archives is not allowed.
This includes distribution on other email lists or reproduction on web sites.
Permission to reproduce is NEVER granted, so don't claim you have permission!

**YOU MUST BE SUBSCRIBED TO POST!**
Posts from email addresses that are not subscribed are discarded.
No exceptions.
----
To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to the bottom of this page (also can be used to change other email options):
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex

File attachments are NOT stripped by this list.
TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COMPUTER VIRUSES!
Please do not send binary files.
Use plain text ONLY in emails!

NAFEX web site:   http://www.nafex.org/