#backyard fruit

Apricot tree in late afternoon light.

The promise.

The promise fulfilled.

Backyard Orchard Culture

Many of us would like to have fruit trees in our yard but lack sufficient space for much of an orchard. Perhaps we can fit in a dwarf peach or apricot, but then blossom time corresponds with a late freeze; or all the fruit ripens within a short period (maybe during vacation). Backyard Orchard Culture is about high density planting and successive ripening.

I’ve planted three apricot trees in a 4’ by 4’ raised bed. I chose early, mid-season and late apricots for a long harvest. If spring weather is unsettled, I have a better chance for a good crop. The three trees are pruned as one tree.

The Objectives of Backyard Orchard Culture  (Dave Wilson Nursery) —Prolong harvest of tree-ripe fruit from a small space. —Plant many fruit varieties close together. —Maintain small tree size by summer pruning.

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” —Martin Luther

As long as we’ve owned a home, we’ve had apple trees. Our first home in Massachusetts came with three full-size heirloom apple trees including two legendary Baldwins. When we moved back to California we planted a ‘Gordon’ apple and a ‘Washington’ navel orange tree the first year. Later, we planted an espaliered ‘Dorsett Golden ‘ apple tree which gives us a late spring and a fall crop most years.

It looks like a good year for the espaliered apple tree.

Check the Dave Wilson Nursery website which is an excellent source of information on backyard orchard culture. Dave Wilson Nursery continues to collect both old and new varieties that they consider are the best in the U.S. They offer more than 60 apple varieties. Most of our fruit trees were purchased at nurseries carrying their stock. California retail nurseries carrying Dave Wilson Nursery trees are listed here. For retail nurseries outside California check this list.