We’re starting a mini-orchard on our property in Cambria, California. I promised to buy only 4-5 small apple trees to fill the space. Apples trees with “low chill requirements” grow well in our cool climate and need little care except for pruning and watering.
We had three ancient apple trees here when we bought the lot and built the house, but they were infected with the bacterial disease, “fire blight”. The leaves of trees infected with fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) have a burnt appearance, The limbs die back and have to removed. Care has to be taken when pruning because the disease enters where the cut is made and travels down the stem and finally into the roots. Two of the old trees have passed away now and we only have an old Granny Smith and a young “Anna” apple.
We recently were lucky enough to purchase a small lot next door to our home for a mini-orchard. We’ve been wanting to buy that lot for years because if it were purchased and built upon by others, we would lose our view of the ocean. What a tragedy that would be!
My husband has now put a 6 foot fence around the triangular lot and is building a smaller fence on one side to separate our landscape area. I’ve promised to make this a simple orchard; JUST TREES. No flower beds, no patios, no sitting areas, no chickens, no vegetables boxes, no NOTHING! JUST APPLE TREES! We have over a half-acre of garden now, That’s enough!
How did the apple trees work out? I’m wanting to plant at my house/large lot in Top of the World/Lodge Hill. I’m new to the area but see some neighboring apples, figured they should be low chill, wondering how apricots or plums might do and what variety?
Also thinking of berries. Obvious challenges of gophers, deer and water.
Look forward to hearing. BOB
How did I miss your comment, Bob. I’ll do an update with pictures of the “miniature orchard” in the next few day. We’ve planted 5 varieties of dwarf apple trees and moved a couple of little citrus trees that were failing, to the lot.
Your area is even better than ours for fruit trees so I hope you will plant some. We grow Asian pears and Santa Rosa plums with good success. but have never tried apricots because I believe they need more heat.
So glad you wrote to me and welcome to Cambria!!!!!!