bnbacademy Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 We would like to plant an apple tree in our back yard. Any experienced small orchard gowers here? I'm thinking we would want a semi-dwarf apple tree for zone 6 (Northern VA)? What do I need to know for maintaining an apple tree or 2? Are apples self-pollinating? Is there really any way to avoid spraying and have a good harvest? Wanting to take another step toward self-sufficiency... However, if this is not cost-effective, we will continue to buy from local growers. I will also get books from the library ( any recommendations?) I'm mostly asking if others have been successful with a backyard orchard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 We just read a book today about growing apples. It said apples need to be pollinated from a different apple tree, so I would recommend planting two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 there are varieties that need less attention. Do your research because it is an investment of time and effort, so you don't want to go wrong. You might check Liberty Apples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnbacademy Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 I have another friend that has several fruit trees (mainly peach) and he tried to do the organic thing but the fruit is really buggy. He thinks he'll have to spray in order to get anything edible. This is what I have heard also... that it is rather difficult to get good fruit without spraying. I am not totally against spraying since we eat and can fruit from nearby orchards that spray their fruit. It may be a necessary evil. Now, the squirrels I had not considered. We are currently dealing with a bunch of garter snakes. I don't want to start a catch and release program for ALL the critters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 They do make sprays with more organic stuff in them. :) 1. Yes, you need more than one tree. Apple trees are not self-pollinating. Beyond that, some trees pollinate other trees better than others. 2. You really need a sunny space for fruit trees to thrive. 3. Plan on pruning every winter. 4. We have cared for our apple trees in both organic and non-organic ways. Currently, we are really fighting cedar rust blight. Our neighbors have some evergreens right by our fenceline that are causing our trees problems. ;( So far we haven't "contaminated" our trees with non-organic spray, but I'm getting close to maybe doing it this year. I know lots of people who have not sprayed....you may lose a few apples to worms, but it doesn't really affect yield. 5. Apple trees are AWESOME once they are producing. They really are worth the effort. Compared to tending a garden, they are SO easy! _The Backyard Orchardist_ is a great book. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jec3113 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Stark Bros. has alot of good info. in their catalog aout which trees will polllinate which trees. If you have deer, they love to eat all the leaves off the tree as well as the apples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnbacademy Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 Thank you for the helpful advice. I never knew there was such a thing as organic spray. I do have an old Stark Bros. catalogue, and will look thru that. I think I wiill buy bigger trees locally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnbacademy Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 I just ordered 2 apple trees, 1 peach tree and 3 grape vines from Stark Bros. I also received advice to buy dwarf trees, since semi-dwarf is still quite tall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandamom Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 I grew up wtih apple trees and the only thing I remember are the bees. they were horrible. We eat a lot of apples so I'd love to grow some but my memory of all of those bees makes it impossible for me to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnbacademy Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 (edited) Yes, dh and I were discussing that very possibility before I ordered. Dh remembered that a certain pear tree seemed to attract yellow jackets. So, I didn't order any pears! How's that for fine-tuned logic? We will just need to see how it all works out, and hope for the best! Edited March 29, 2011 by bnbacademy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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