Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 7
Obtaining and Planting Your Trees
CHAPTER CONTENTS
We have reached the stage where it is time to order trees for planting. By
now, you have carefully evaluated your site, corrected drainage and nutrient
problems, designed and laid out your orchard or evaluated your existing
orchard layout, and picked out crops and varieties. The next steps involve
purchasing high-quality plants, caring for them before planting, and setting
them into the ground.
Purchasing and Handling Your Trees
If you have a large orchard, you will likely buy your trees from specialized
wholesale nurseries. Ask other fruit growers, fruit-growing organizations,
fruit specialists at universities, and Cooperative Extension and Provincial of-
fices for referrals. You want to make sure that you deal with nurseries that
you can trust, not only to provide quality trees, but also expertise in fruit tree
care during and after the purchase.
Homeowners have the options of buying from local retail nurseries or pur-
chasing from mail-order companies. Here I cannot overemphasize the im-
portance of dealing with reputable nurseries experienced in working with
