Grace Valley Farms Orchard Gets Underway!

Before we started planting our orchard we did quite a bit of planning and preparation. We researched different varieties of fruit trees so we'd be sure and plant types that would survive our cold winters and late spring freezes.

The site for the fruit trees was graded in order to form a wide ditch for irrigating the trees.

The planting area was accurately measured so the trees would be appropriately spaced.

 

We carefully marked and numbered spots for the new trees. There are 25 places for fruit trees along our driveway!

Ben digging out a hole for a pear tree.

Support posts were driven into the ground to hold the trees up straight until they can get rooted (1 to 2 years).

The trees were loaded in our ATV wagon and driven to the planting area.

We plan to plant apple, pear, plum, apricot, and cherry trees. So far we've planted three Comice pear trees, three Honeycrisp apple trees, two Sweet 16 apple trees, two Zestar apple trees, and one Haralred apple tree.

Ben and Doug after planting a pear tree.

We put 5' tall fencing around each tree to keep deer, sheep, and llamas from sampling the buds. 

Each day the trees are watered. The trees were purchased as bareroot and need plenty of moisture until established.

Ruger, our little helper!