| I am beginning a fruit orchard of 6 apple, 2 peach, 2 cherry and a dwarf apricot in an area of 200 by 80 feet. The area also will include new planting of asparagus, raspberries, blackberries and vegetables. The 200 feet runs N & S and has some evergreens along its lot line. There are some trees along the south lot line as well but the north and west side of the site are open. Could you suggest any particular layout for these new plants. Thank you very much. Bonnie Mullins |
| It sounds like you have plenty of room -- the fruit trees should be spaced about 10' apart if they're semi-dwarf (mature height 8-10' and width 8-10'). All these plants need full sun to produce well, so plant them well out of any shade the southern border trees might cast. The exception are some veggies, such as lettuce, spinach and some herbs, which tolerate (and even enjoy) shade from hot summer sun. Plant the taller trees at the northern side of the property so they don't shade others. Raspberries can often get very large, so plant those north of the asparagus, and the vegetables on the southernmost edge out of the shade. Hope this helps (it's hard to talk layout without drawings!). |
