There are many things to consider when planning an orchard but with careful thought and selection of site, varieties and rootstocks, it’s possible to create a highly productive orchard whether it be for your enjoyment or for generations to follow or for commercial production; whether to be eaten straight off the tree (the best way to eat them!) or turned into ciders, perrys, pies and crumbles; whether baked, stewed, frozen, dried or juiced; and, you could even plan to supply the fruit bowl with fresh, home-grown fruit all year round. 

Try to plant heritage varieties as these are more pest and disease resistant and are more adapted to our climates, though with global warming some tweaking may be needed. There are hundreds, if not thousands, to choose from. Modern varieties, those in the shops, are almost entirely dependent on chemical inputs and so don’t do well when grown organically.  

If you’ve got room for a tree or two in your garden, think about putting fruit trees in. You’ll have wonderful blossom in the spring, lovely shade through the summer and the bonus of fruit in the autumn. Don’t worry if you can’t eat all the fruit – let them drop and someone else will eat them, insects, birds, mammals, and if they can’t eat them all the nutrients will soak back into the ground and feed the tree.

Pop over to the library for more information in the ‘Information cabinet’.