Learn ins, outs of developing a home orchard

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Learn from three Master Gardeners about developing a home orchard in a free Digging Deeper demonstration set for 10:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, June 1, at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden, 2711 Woodcock Road.

Gordon Clark, Keith Dekker and Tom Del Hotal, each certified arborists who have more than 100 years of combined horticultural knowledge and experience in growing fruit trees, will lead “The Care and Maintenance of Your Home Orchard.”

A home orchard gives the homeowner the ability to pick and eat tree-ripened fruit at the peak of its ripeness and flavor, local Master Gardeners say. The quality and flavor of tree-ripened fruit far surpasses that of most of the fruit purchased from a local market.

Getting the best quality fruit from your home fruit tree(s) requires more than simply planting any fruit tree purchased from a nursery, garden center or mail order supplier, however. Because of the unique growing areas, climates and soil conditions found on the North Olympic Peninsula, success or failure to produce top quality fruit often depends on the variety of fruit trees grown and how one cares for these trees.

Topics covered will include: selecting and planting new fruit trees; soil testing and fertilizing; watering; correct pruning techniques; tools; fruit thinning; summer pruning; and, and pest control.

Visit extension.wsu.edu/clallam/master-gardener-calendar for the latest information on upcoming presentations.

For more about this event, call 360-565-2678.