Planting a Homestead Orchard

 

 

I'm so excited to finally be planting our fruit trees. I recently set up a stand of homemade products at a local event and decided that I would save all of my profits to be able to buy trees for an orchard. Luckily I had a decent day and the next week we could head to the nursery to pick out our trees.

 

We chose:

 

2 Apple Trees (Needs pollinator)

 

2 Sweet Cherry trees (Needs Pollinator)

 

2 Pear Trees (Needs Pollinator)

 

1 Peach tree (Does NOT need pollinator)

 

1 Nectarine Tree (Does NOT need pollinator)

 

After choosing what fruit you'd like to grow and picking out your trees the next step is mapping out where you'd like to plant them. You don't want them too close or they will crowd and shade each other but they can't be too far apart or they have a lower chance of being pollinated.

After searching online we measured about 25 feet between each tree and 30 feet between the rows. Some of our trees are semi-dwarf. (Because the lady at the nursery told Justin that's what "we" wanted....but I totally wanted full size...These will be easier to manage though)

 

Put some stakes where you'd like to dig your holes....

 

 

 

 

Next...Find a big strong Man to dig your holes for you. Trust me, It's much easier that way!

 

 See my sweet husband out there digging??

 

 

 

You want your holes to be just as deep and twice as wide as your pots. This allows for the roots to take off quickly and get strong.

 

 

 

Another really important part is to make sure you water them at least twice a week the first year. I've read that it is the most detrimental part of growing fruit trees. 

 

 

Now....When they start to grow, I'll have to learn how to prune them the right way. For now, I'm just enjoying knowing that they are planted and blossoming!!

 

How pretty!!

 

 

 

Do you have fruit trees? Is there any thing I need to know to get loads of fruit from them? I'm just learning as I go so any advice is welcomed!!!

 

Do you want to know the next project I'm saving up for?????     

 

 BEES! To Help pollinate the fruit of course!

 

Spiced Apple Pear Butter- Crock Pot Recipe



 

There seems to be a common sentence at the beginning of all of my post. So here goes, You will not believe how easy this is to make! It is literally done in just a few steps and makes the house smell wonderful while it's cooking. This is a great recipe to make in the fall when pears and apples are in season. Since I'm trying to fill you in on everything I've learned over the past year I'm posting this a bit out of season but don't worry,it tastes good anytime of year!

 

Here is a picture of my finished product....

 

 

And here is what happened a split second after I snapped that close up.....

 

She's never far away from the camera!

 

 

Back to the apple pear butter recipe.

 

Here's what you need:

 

Apples and Pears

spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves

a pinch of salt

and sweetener of your choice (I use brown sugar)

 

Here's what you have to do:

 

1- Peel and dice fruit into large chunks, discarding the cores.

 

2-Put them in your crock pot and sprinkle in your chosen spices, salt and sweetener of choice. (the amount of sugar will vary depending on how sweet your apples are to start with.

 

3-Put lid on and cook on high for about an hour

 

4- Reduce heat to low and cook for 9-12 hours, stirring occasionally  (I smash it with a hand held potato masher) And cook it until  it reaches a desired consistency.

 

5- Can it or freeze it in bags until ready to eat.

 

To can it - fill hot canning jars leaving 1/4 inch head space. Process in a water bath for 10 minutes.

 

 

See I told you it was simple!!