How to Plant an Orchard

You may want to plant an orchard to produce fresh food, provide shade or just to beautify your property. To plant an orchard successfully, however, you'll need an understanding of soil, pests, diseases and general care.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Consider your climate. The type of orchard that you decide to plant will be determined by the site's climatic influences, including wind patterns, frost, average temperatures, amount of daylight and rainfall. Trying to grow an orchard of lemon trees in the Pacific Northwest would be fruitless.

2. Evaluate the site's soil for adequate nutrients and drainage. Your site probably will need to be amended for inadequate or excessive nutrients before planting. It will then need to be monitored and tested regularly.

3. Protect your orchard from wildlife, such as rabbits, deer and rodents, which are attracted to fruit-bearing trees. Invest in mesh-wire fencing that extends at least 6-feet high.

4. Clear your site of any towering trees that may reduce sunlight on your orchard. A minimum of eight hours of light is needed each day for fruit-bearing trees to be productive.

5. Consult with an expert before purchasing trees from a nursery. Selecting the appropriate tree for your climate and choosing the proper cultivar will help your orchard thrive.

6. Plant your trees according to their common characteristics, such as resistance to diseases and pests, size or expected bloom dates.