Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
about the same amount of water and at the correct pressure for the emitters
you are using.
If you are using alley and in-row living mulch crops, microsprinklers are
often the best choice. Set high-quality irrigation lines deeply in the tree rows
before planting. Locate the risers and sprinkler heads in the centers of the
rows and midway between adjacent trees.
For orchards that contain closely spaced trees and bushes and for those
that are located in arid locations where water efficiency is very important,
drip irrigation may be the best choice.
Fencing
Orchards often need fencing to protect crops from wildlife or livestock.
Regardless of its size, if your orchard is located in an area inhabited by deer
or moose, a well-designed and constructed orchard fence is a good invest-
ment.
When designing your fence system, keep convenience and efficiency in
mind. While you can put a fence around each individual tree in a small orch-
ard, caring for the trees becomes extremely inconvenient and inefficient. You
will probably find that a fence enclosing a complete planting area will work
better for you. For large orchards, enclose the entire orchard, rather than sep-
Sample Orchard Design
For our example, we will begin with a 5-acre property laid out in a square.
Approximately 4.3 acres are devoted to fruit production, with 0.7 acre re-
served for equipment, buildings, composting areas, and parking. Each fruit
block is 178 feet long by 80 to 110 feet wide. This grower plans to sell fruit
from an on-farm roadside stand, at a farmers' market, and through U-pick
sales.
To reduce the risks associated with a single crop and to expand the mar-
ket season, the design includes different tree fruits and berries. The berries
mature quickly, with raspberries and blueberries bearing crops within 2 to
