The best time to prune fruit trees is in late winter when the trees are fully dormant. The open wounds from clipping have plenty of time to heal before buds set and long before pests and disease come out in droves. There's a few things to keep in mind when pruning, specifically as a permaculture grower. Since we're trying to mimic Mother Nature (who prunes barely at all), we're going for a minimalist approach.
Look for the 3Ds Diseased, Decayed and Dead wood should all be removed from the tree. This is simply speeding up the act of abscission, or when a plant naturally would drop infected tissue to focus its energy on the rest of the plant. These removed pieces should ideally be burned so any disease or mold spores don't spread. The 5-foot Rule We find most fruit and nut trees in nature without low hanging branches. Deer are responsible for this low-level pruning job. While deer can absolutely be destructive in orchards with young trees, more established trees can benefit from having deer remove low, flimsy wood. Additionally, the trees are providing a food source for the great ecosystem. If deer aren't allowed into your orchard, prune any branches that hang below 5-feet off the ground. This will open up an understory for companion plantings. Thinning and the "Cardinal vs. Cat Rule" When pruning, it's a good idea to remove any small, vertical branching that threatens to grow into one another. Branches rubbing can cause friction for the tree, which may result in bark peeling and can invite pests and disease into the wood. However, removing too much can be a bad thing. There's an old adage I learned from author Mark Shepard. When pruning, you've done well "if a cardinal can fly through the branches without its wings touching a branch. But if a cat can be thrown through the branches without hitting anything, that's too much." Basically, don't over-prune. :) Suckers Suckers are the side shoots that branch out from the trunk of the tree, towards the bottom near the soil line. These should be removed. It’s time to start planning for the growing season. In fact, I’ve already started Brussels sprouts and artichokes in my greenhouse! Before you can buy any seeds, you need to know what and how much to grow. This is different for every person or family. I grow a zillion tomatoes (35 plants to be precise) for example because I grow for fresh eating and preservation of all of our tomato products. This is calculated over time, based on my experience.
Here’s a rough guide from Garden Gate Magazine on how much to plant per person. It’s a great starting point! GARDEN SIZE for growing food for a year: Vegetarians: 4400 square foot of growing space per person Omnivores: 200 square feet of growing space per person HOW MUCH PER PERSON Asparagus (1 plant/ft. of row), 5-10 plants per person Bush beans (2 plants/ft. of row), 12-15 plants Beets (Thin to 3 plants/ft. of row), 15-30 plants Cucumber (1 plant/2 ft. of row), 1 vine, 2 bushes Carrots (Thin to 12 plants/ft. of row), 48 plants Corn (1 plant/ft. of row), 10-15 plants (plant in blocks for best pollination) Eggplant (1 plant/2 ft. of row), 2-3 plants Kale (10/10 ft. of row), 2-7 plants Leaf lettuce (Thin to 3 plants/ft. of row), 24 plants Melon (1 plant/6 ft. of row), 1-2 plants Onion (4 sets/ft. of row), 12-20 sets Peas (6 plants/ft. of row), 15-20 plants Pepper (1 plant/ft. of row), 3-5 plants Potato (1 plant/ft. of row), 10 plants Radish (thin to 12 plants/ft. of row), 10-15 plants Spinach (Thin to 6 plants/ft. of row), 30-60 plants Squash (1 plant/6 ft. of row), 1-2 plants Tomato (1 plant/2 ft. of row), 2-4 plants Zucchini (1 plant/3 ft. of row), 1-2 plants Of course these numbers are based on a general guideline and should be altered to suit you or your family's dietary needs! |
Angela is the farmer and content creator behind Axe & Root Homestead® LLC. This historic six-acre permaculture farm is home to two Clydesdale horses, ten honeybee hives, five sheep, two guardian dogs, barn cats and a flock of 40 geese and ducks. The farm produces maple syrup, fruit from a small orchard and loads of garden produce for consumption, preservation and donation to the local food pantry.
The Sustainable Homestead is available NOW!
Categories
All
|