Vintage Virginia Apples

The cultivation of superior fruit is an art as well as a science. Come join us for an informative seminar that will give you what you need to begin and develop your own orchard. Learn how to overcome challenges and explore the many choices facing the fruit grower. Lunch is provided.

Presenters at this workshop in addition to Vintage Virginia Apples staff will be Richard Marini, Chairman, Department of Horticulture, Penn State University, Tom Burford, Orchard Consultant and author,.and the staff of Vintage Virginia Apples. Details will be forthcoming.

Each participant will receive a Planning and Planting Workbook to layout the design for the orchard. After the workshop, the presenters will be available for brief personal consultation with each registrant. Orchard design service available.

The meeting will be at the North Garden Fire Department at the Crossroads which is less than a mile south of the farm. From the farm, go 8/10ths of a mile to Route 692, turn left. The Fire Station is the second building on your right, across the road from the Crossroads Store.

Orchard Consultant and author, Tom Burford (left) is joined by Charlotte Shelton and Ed Fackler, as presenters at the 2004 Orchard Planning Workshop

The agenda will include:

10-10:30 a.m. Registration

10:30 Fruit Growing in America Today: A Critical Role for the Home Orchard

11:00 Planning an Orchard

Orchard Design and Size

Site Selection, Layout and Preparation

Soil and Nutrition

Rootstock Issues

Nursery Stock: choosing varieties, selecting and caring for nursery stock, propagating your own

Housing and Equipment

12:30 Lunch Break: Light Lunch provided
1:15 p.m. Cultural Management

Planting

Nutrition

Pollination

Training, Pruning and Thinning

Pest and Disease Control...(including varmint control, weather monitoring, organic issues, spray programs)

Harvest and Storage

Fruit Products

2:30 Question and Answer Session
3:15 Orchard Tour (optional and weather permitting)