Fruit Trees

[Brosia]

anyone have fruit trees on their land? Or berry bushes?


got a nice catalog in the mail from Four Seasons Nursery (I've used them before, no problems) and they are offering Dwarf fruit trees (that bear normal size fruit); dwarf trees would fit better in my yard, just wondering how much care is required.

And I know we used to have some blackberry bushes behind us, before a deceased neighbor's grape vines took over the neighborhood (they climbed to the top of a 40 foot pine and started dragging it down!), I'm hoping if I take the time to *attempt* to control the grape vines (we've been losing that battle), the blackberries might grow back.

[KY_Longrifle]

The wife and I are trying our hand at fruit trees this year. We are starting by planting 2 resielence peach trees they can survive up to -25F and still produce. We are doing it for a 2-fold reason though, they will be on our south/west side of our house which is currently unprotected from direct sunlight, so in a year or so the trees coupled new EE/uv reflective windows our enery cost should stay consistant.
Also we are going to plant several different Blue/Blackberry bushes in the back to see how they hold up with the climate here in the summer. Let me know if you make any good finds, I know from dealing with it before if you check with local nurserys in late April their stock of trees is starting to end and they are more likely to hopefully work a deal. This may just depend on location though.

[sd allen]

I have 1 apple tree,2 peach trees ,a huge fig tree,some grape vines and about 3/4 acres of blackberrys.The trees and grapes are mine and the blackberries are in a vacant lot bordering my property(I help myself).I don't know when ,but would recommed spraying fruit trees.Our peaches were 3/4 wormmy last year.I couldn't figure out if it were better to find a whole worm or half of one:confused::).

[KY_Longrifle]

I have 1 apple tree,2 peach trees ,a huge fig tree,some grape vines and about 3/4 acres of blackberrys.The trees and grapes are mine and the blackberries are in a vacant lot bordering my property(I help myself).I don't know when ,but would recommed spraying fruit trees.Our peaches were 3/4 wormmy last year.I couldn't figure out if it were better to find a whole worm or half of one:confused::).

Thanks for the heads up on spraying, we ran into that our first year growing tomatos, and we lost almost everything to hornworms, some chickens coupled with some organic sprays this year should help with it though.
Do you have any reccomendations for 'safer' sprays ones in which really just do the job without myself having to consume benzine, ddt, and whatever other chemicals they are trying to poision us with.

[Loshali]

Thanks for the heads up on spraying, we ran into that our first year growing tomatos, and we lost almost everything to hornworms, some chickens coupled with some organic sprays this year should help with it though.
Do you have any reccomendations for 'safer' sprays ones in which really just do the job without myself having to consume benzine, ddt, and whatever other chemicals they are trying to poision us with.

Check too, about the either/or chickens versus spraying. If you are going to use the eggs or meat, then I wouldnt spray the tomatoes, or I wouldnt let the chickens in to where the tomatoes are. and dont feed them whole tomatoes or peels, because they'll be pecking them off the vines. Make sure they are chopped up and unrecognizable.

Loshali

[Loshali]

Sex of trees?

Nut trees are male/female, so you have to have two. I think some fruit trees are that way as well, but I cant remember which ones. The catalog should say whether you need two to cross pollinate. They dont have to be planted side by side, they can be (if i remember correctly) up to 100 yards apart, just so as the bees can get to both.

[KY_Longrifle]

Check too, about the either/or chickens versus spraying. If you are going to use the eggs or meat, then I wouldnt spray the tomatoes, or I wouldnt let the chickens in to where the tomatoes are. and dont feed them whole tomatoes or peels, because they'll be pecking them off the vines. Make sure they are chopped up and unrecognizable.

Loshali

The type of spray we found, I guess isn't a spray really more of a duster, and it acutally works as a double as a very safe bird dewormer. It's not a chemical but acutally attacks the bugs at the cellular level by causing them to be unable to retain water, and dries them out.
Our biggest problem with our tomatoes were our ducks. They got into the habit of devouring every sinlge fruit that would grow, and would eat out pepper plants down the stalks on a regular basis. We still had tons, but they made damn sure canning wasn't an option.

[lazer128]

I planted 75-100 blue berry bushes a few years ago. They are still alive but have never done much. Just not enough sun in my gorge. Rusty sent me a few of the native pecans from his tree. I am going to germinate them and plant them in the woods around here in the spring. I grew up on a farm with 80 mature pecan trees, dozens of fig, apple, peach & pear trees. I have two pear trees from that farm planted here too. I have dozens of native hickory nut trees throughout the property. Small, thick shelled ones. Not much meat.

[Brosia]

thanks for the info on spraying. I'd definitely want something organic.
We don't have too many bees around here, though we do have some. Wonder if having fruit trees would attract too many, hubby is allergic.

KYLongrifle, what is that spray/duster you use?

Nut trees? hmmmmm. something to look into. Last spring I went to an 1800s old town festival, and they were just taking black hickory?acorns? right off the ground and making delicious bread with it.

Just found out, town will allow me to have up to 25 chickens (no roosters), so that's another thread and project for the spring.

[Loshali]

Just found out, town will allow me to have up to 25 chickens (no roosters), so that's another thread and project for the spring.

Good for you Brosia!! You just found yourself a source for farmer's gold!!! Chicken manure is great in a garden. I prefer to compost it first, but if the chickens are in the garden anyway over the winter, then that'll compost enough by spring. Best pest control you can have!

Lo~

[gkim4107]

I have several blackberry bushes in the empty wooded lot next to me that me and the better half pick from when it comes time. But this year I am wanting to put in fruit trees, but am still trying to find a good spot for them. Most of my property is wooded on three sides, and no room for any new trees on the sunny side.... could be a touch decision :)

[Zombie Axe]

I really like Stark Brothers Fruit Trees. You have to pick the varieties you want and then figure out which variety cross pollinate which...

For example, I wanted 2 Granny Smith apple trees. I also had to plant 2 Red Delicious (well one would have done, but I like to plant in 'pairs') and then I had to plant 2 Jon-A-Red to cross polinate those (those self pollinate themselves but also pollinate the Red Delicious).

So make sure you know what cross pollinates what... Self fertile/Self pollinated trees also do better with 2...

Blueberries require a male bush to fertilize the females, so be sure you have some of those.

Got 8 bushes so far and they get a little bigger eat year... Blueberries have shallow roots and also require alot of water to produce big berries :)

My Pop irrigates his 5 bushes and they produce PROLIFICALLY!!!

I have some thornless Black Berries and they produce well. The berries are bigger than their wild cousins which I have many acres surrounding my home :)

Grapevines I prefer muscadines and have trained 2 so far. Got several wild vines as well!!!

I want to grow a patio variety of orange tree that I will bring in during winter. Got the room now...

I have been considered planting an olive tree as well. Found a source for them that are cold hardy for my area.

I am planning on growing some tea trees top use as a caffiene replacement.

Nut trees, I have a bunch of pecan trees that are about to bear... Luckily they were volunteers... Love them.

Also have some black walnut trees. Beautiful wood and pretty well bearing :)

[TheLastMountainMan]

I use 7 dust for my tomatoes, and the box says its ok to dust pet beds, so I assume that it would be ok for chickens. I have about 2 - 3 acres in wild blackberries. Looking to plant rhubarb and strawberries. Use to grow rhubarb in Michigan with no problems, but in Missouri I've killed them every time I plant. Anyone know what it takes for rhubarb? Also have 3 or 4 orchards in my area so apples and peaches are not a concern, however I love pears just before they are ripe, so I will plant 2 or 3 trees. I'm also looking into planting blueberries, but growing up in Michigan, learned wild blueberries are better tasting, anyone know how to aquire wild blueberrys and what does it require in the soil?

[teach]

Our garden area is small, less than a quarter of an acre but we have 4grapevines, around 30 strawberries, 4 blueberries, 3 blackberries and a fig bush and they give us plenty of fruit for jams, jellies, cobblers and breads. We do very little in the way of spraying them, only need to put netting over them to keep out the birds. We have one apple and one peach tree that are dwarf and about 3 years old. Got very few apples but enough peaches to can about 8 pints. Good luck.