How to Make Money Off an Apple Orchard

Going to an apple orchard in the fall is a fun family tradition for many people. In order for the apple farmer to make any money, there are a number of things to manage before the orchard generates money.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Choose apple trees that are productive and resistant to blight. Check with your local extension agent for the kinds of apple trees that grow best in your area.

2. Plant the trees at a well-drained site. It takes at least 3 to 5 years for an apple tree to bear fruit, and longer than that to produce enough for sale.

3. Prune and fertilize your trees regularly. Pruning is typically done in the winter season while the trees are dormant. Pruning facilitates more growth of fruited wood and lets light into the fruit so it ripens.

4. Manage pests. The farmer must decide what, if any, chemicals he should use to keep his trees healthy. Pest control is a year-round process.

5. Market the apples. Once the farmer's trees produce enough apples for sale, he must decide if is just going to market them to local stores or sell them in larger markets. Another option is selling the apples to someone who makes them into cider or apple products such as pies.

6. Offer "u-pick." This means the farmer needs to advertise his orchard's products to get the customers to come to him. Frequently "u-pick" apple farms escort customers to the apple orchard on wagons. When the customers return to their starting location, the farmer offers apple pie, cider, jelly and a host of other fall products for purchase. Not only does he make money from the sale of his apples, but from the other products as well.