When the Dream Orchard Becomes a Nightmare

A startling realisation and a rethink of my orchard design

My orchard helps me to mark the passage of time. It’s a living calendar. I marvel at the seasonality of my deciduous fruit trees and record the dates that the buds burst into blossom. I eagerly watch the fruit swell and relish seeing my children sampling the ripening fruit on hot summer days.

Pruning is my mindfulness activity. Espaliers are my intricate, photosynthesising works of art.

There are so many reasons why I love growing my own fruit.

I’ve found out that you can plant a lot of fruit trees on six acres. It’s easy to go overboard. Early on, I said to myself, “I’ll sell the excess, or I’ll give it away to friends or family.” That’s how I justified planting all those trees. “What’s a few more trees here or there? The more the merrier.”

Now I’m rethinking that wisdom.