ORCHARD
MICHI, A
MULTI-FRUIT ORCHARD!!
Very Edible
Gardens Uganda-VEGU is proposing
an establishment of an Orchard and this is nothing other Orchard Michi-a
Multi-Fruit Orchard.
Orchards are intensive areas of cultivation which is found in
Zones:2 mostly. In Permaculture designs, an orchard can be considered a food
forest because it produces plenty of fruits. So Orchard Michi will be our food
forest. That is, it contains a diversity of trees hence many fruit. We are
proposing it to be a mixed planted orchard to encourage predators which feed on
pest and also to confuse pests which will be great if successfully done.
It should also be noted that an Orchard and poultry systems can
go easily together and are the next greatest area of intensity after zone 1.
The poultry are placed according to the best advantages for free ranging and
shelter. Chickens should be within easy access to an orchard and or used as tractor
in vegetable garden. Chicken and or pig tractor systems are the only really
effective ways to grow organic Vegetables commercially.
N.B If Poultry
and pigs are to be introduced; they should be introduced later [2years] after
the fruit trees have grown. This is so to prevent damaging of trees.
These
are steps how VEGU will raise and grow a multi-fruit orchard. Fruit trees grow
in standard, semi-dwarf and dwarf varieties.
You should know that fruit trees grow in a range of shapes,
sizes and varieties, but always produce sweet, juicy harvests. All fruit trees
require some of the some basic growing conditions for growth and harvest,
including sun, warmth, nutrition and water. This leads to easy companion
planting among trees, up to a point. If you want a multi-fruit orchard, choose a
large space and trees suitable to your area. We are basing on this factor to
plant mangoes, citrus, chest nut, durian, ovacado, pawpaw, bananas, jack
fruits, guavas etc adding on the already fruit trees that are on the ground.
N.B Apart from banana that will be
planted in plenty, VEGU is aiming at planting at least ten-more of each of the
fruit trees mentioned above for the benefits of Apiary, good pollination and
plenty fruit production for both consumption and market.
As bushing
burning is one of the commonest activities local people here practices during
the dry season, VEGU turns this problem into solution. So here VEGU is to use a
practical technique which is planting bananas onto the boundaries. This is very
important because bananas have got big leaves and are ever green enough to
solve this problem. This technique is not tiresome but can stop the over
blazing fire from entering the Orchard from the south-east, west and south-west
direction into this zone.
Requirements or tools needed for this
work include seedlings, hoe, machete, organic compost, mulch, gloves, and
garden folk, pruning shears.
For anybody
out there who would wish to grow fruit trees, you can follow are steps if our
factors suit your area too.
Instructions.
1. Start all
fruit tree seedlings in spring when the ground warms and thaws. These reduce
shock to the new trees and makes digging easier. Plant 1 to 2 year old nursery
seedling for best success.
2. Select the
trees according to the growing zone you are in. Trees such as apples, apricots,
cherries and plums grows well in cold areas and peaches, nectarines, pears too
fits well in such a cold area like the U.S.A. Here in Tropical areas i.e.
Africa and other part of the world that are related to that of Africa, fruit
trees such as mangoes, jack fruits, bananas, chest nut, durian, ovacado,
pawpaw, guavas etc and citrus trees like
oranges, lemons, limes can grow happily due to suitability of the climate and
weather towards the well being of these trees.
3. Choosing
the site for the orchard should be in the hands of the owner. Select a place where
each tree will get full sun, good air, good site drainage, and at least each
tree should be in 20 feet of space but this depends on the type of tree. But if
you are to plant dwarf or semi-dwarf trees, let each tree own 10-15 ft of space
in the row if planting in line. It should be noted that fruit trees cannot grow
or produce in shade, standing water or crowded planting.
4. Prepare the
holes by tilling each hole 2ft width and 1.5ft depth per holes. N.B For bananas; 3ftwide and 2ft deep.
And then turn 12-14inches [more for bananas] of organic compost into the soil
for a moister, looser and more nutrious starting foundation. This foundation
gives the trees the best resources and room for root growth and establishment,
and provides long-term slow-release nutrition which makes plants happier.
5. Plant each
fruit tree seedling in a hole as deep and twice as wide as its root ball. Fill
the holes slowly with amendment soil for best root-to-soil contact and in case
of shortage of rain; water each tree with ⅟₂ 5litres of water. Prune the trees
down to 30-36inches as this encourages new sprouting.
6. Mulch the
area around each tree with 2inches of organic mulch and put the trees on
schedule of 2inches of water every week. It should be noted that the trees
established, grows best with the consistent moisture and warmth.
7. If there is
a problem of infertile land, often fertilize the fruit trees with granular
10-10-10 fertilizer whenever they show up new growth. Liquid manure is the best
fertilizer to be used here. Just sprinkle the fertilizer onto the ground in a
circle around the trees, allowing 6inches of space between the fertilizer and
trunks, and then turn the fertilizer into the top 4inches of soil. Water the
area after feeding.
Tips and Warning.
Prune and fertilize fruit trees every
year in late rainy season or winter to early spring. Pruning encourages better
circulation and light exposure at the centers of the trees, while feedings give
the trees the resources they require for growth and fruit production. Give
trees new compost amendments throughout the season for continued soil quality.
NB.
For more information; Our Contact Details:
Mr.Nyeromeister
Christopher- Permaculture Field Engineer
(Is also the primary contact for all correspondence).
Tell:
+256-783-942-206,
+256-792-388-045
Mr.Mugarura Charles-Permaculture Field Designer.
Tell: +256-703-392-766
+256-788-738-831
Mr.Agaba Julius-Permaculture Herbal Specialist.
Tell: +256-775-212-216
+256-701-212-216
Byee; enjoy
the Orchard!
Going Green Going Edible!!
