What is a Permaculture Orchard?
A permaculture orchard is a fruit tree garden designed to mimic the balance and interconnectedness of a natural ecosystem. The term “permaculture” is derived from combining “permanent” and “agriculture”, emphasizing a farming approach that focuses on long-term sustainability. Just like in a wild forest, the diversity of plants in a permaculture orchard fosters stability, resilience, and a natural growth cycle – where everything supports and nourishes each other.
Creating a permaculture orchard is a long-term project, and you may not see the rewards for a few years. If you aren’t ready for this level of commitment, you could start by incorporating some easier permaculture practices into your backyard.
However, in the long run, it’s an incredibly sustainable way to generate income from your land with minimal maintenance, once everything is established and running smoothly. If you already have a conventional orchard, converting it to a permaculture system is easier than you might think and can be done gradually, step by step. By adding more layers to create a food forest, you’ll boost biodiversity and make your land even more sustainable. Building your own permaculture orchard is a big commitment, and if you’re new to farming or permaculture, it might be wise to start small. But if you’re experienced with growing things like microgreens, mushrooms, or other crops, stepping up to a full permaculture system could be the next perfect challenge for you.
Starting a Permaculture Orchard
Find the Perfect Spot:
The first step you want to do is to find the right place to start your orchard. Look for areas on your property that get plenty of sun and have well-drained soil – this will give your trees the best chance to thrive. Think about other resources you might want to plant nearby and consider if any sloping could lead to soil erosion. Fruit trees can be sensitive to strong winds, so it’s wise to plant them in spots where larger trees or hedges can act as natural windbreaks – just be careful they don’t cast too much shade on your trees as fruit trees need sunlight ideally for about 6-8 hours per day.
Create Healthy Soil:
If you are planting a new orchard you want to make sure your soil is good before you plant. Once your trees and plants are in the ground, it’ll be a lot harder to make adjustments. Start by testing the soil’s pH – most species of fruit trees enjoy a pH level of between 6.5 – 7. If your soil’s too acidic, sprinkle in some organic lime to balance it out. If your soil’s too alkaline, try adding composted coffee grounds or animal manure to bring it back to the right level.
Over time your soil will have more capacity to hold water as it increases in organic matter. But until that happens, don’t forget about irrigation – it’s key to keeping your orchard happy and healthy in the meantime.
Time to Plant:
It wouldn’t be an orchard without trees. So the first thing to think about is choosing a variety of fruit and berry trees that will thrive in your climate. Consider what species are naturally suited to your area, and don’t forget to think about what you personally enjoy eating.
Some fruit trees, like Golden Delicious apples, peaches, and Bartlett pears, are self-pollinating, so you only need one tree to get fruit. But others, like cherries and plums, need at least two trees to cross-pollinate. Make sure you research what kind of fruit you want as well as what grows well in your area.
When designing your orchard, don’t forget to factor in tree spacing. While you want to plant them close enough to create a lush, productive space, be careful not to overcrowd them. Overlapping can reduce yields. A standard tree needs about a 25-foot circle to thrive, while dwarf varieties only need 10 feet. If you can, orient your trees north to south for the best sun exposure throughout the day.
Add Perennial Vegetables:
There are more than 500 species of perennial vegetables that thrive in North America, making it easy to find varieties suited to your local climate. These hardy plants will boost your orchard’s biodiversity. Some perennial vegetables that grow well in Ohio include asparagus, chives, thyme, Greek oregano, rhubarb, and more!
*If you’re transitioning an existing orchard to a permaculture system, you’re ahead of the game! Just take it slow by gradually introducing understory plants over time.
Add Nitrogen-Fixing Plants:
To make your permaculture orchard truly sustainable, it’s essential to include plants that help regenerate the soil, keeping it healthy and rich year after year. With these natural soil enhancers, you can say goodbye to chemical fertilizers. One key nutrient your trees and crops will need is nitrogen. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of nitrogen-fixing plants that can do the job for you. These plants will gradually release nitrogen into the soil, benefiting your nearby crops and maintaining soil fertility in the long run.
Nitrogen fixers come in all shapes and sizes, so you can easily find the perfect ones to suit your orchard’s needs. Some Nitrogen-fixing plants that are native to Ohio include crimson clover, hairy vetch, sunn hemp, etc.
Pick Plants that Attract Beneficial Insects:
To help your permaculture orchard truly thrive, a healthy ecosystem filled with beneficial insects is a must. These little helpers are essential for pollinating your crops and keeping pests in check. To attract them, focus on nectar-rich flowering plants that appeal to bees and other helpful bugs. In addition to pollinators, allowing animals to roam freely through the orchard can enhance its health. Their grazing helps manage ground cover, promotes nutrient cycling, and naturally fertilizes the soil.
Harvest and Enjoy:
Eventually, your orchard will produce bountiful amounts of fruit and vegetables. This is the culmination of all your hard work, so savor the moment! Know when to pick each type of produce for peak flavor and texture. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Enjoy the fresh flavors straight from the source and preserve the abundance by canning, freezing, drying, or making jams and jellies. Share the bounty with loved ones and celebrate your success!
Aberlin Spring’s Permaculture Orchard
About Aberlin Springs:
Aberlin Springs is Southwest Ohio’s Premier Agri-Community, featuring a variety of living opportunities, including move-in-ready homes and custom homes built to order. As part of its commitment to sustainability and community growth, Aberlin Springs is launching a new project to establish its own permaculture orchard. The orchard will be developed in collaboration with Chris Smyth, the Director of the Common Orchard Project, a non-profit organization focused on growing community orchards across the Greater Cincinnati region.
Community Orchard:
The Aberlin Springs orchard will feature a “multi-story cropping” approach, which integrates a diverse mix of tree species and pastured poultry, along with other animals, to boost yields by 120-150% compared to traditional farming methods. The orchard’s “grocery aisle layout” will be strategically designed to optimize harvests, with animals rotating through different sections to avoid disrupting fruit production. When the harvest window for a particular section has passed, animals can be rotated onto that section to help manage the land.
Planned crops include: apples, Asian pears, peaches, bush cherries, pawpaws, blackberries, raspberries, hardy kiwi, grapes, hazelnuts, herbs, asparagus, and other perennial vegetables.
The community’s values emphasize organic, fresh, and locally grown produce, with a focus on sustainability, aesthetics, and education. This exciting project is set to enhance the community’s appeal, offering both a beautiful living space with cutting-edge agricultural innovation, and creating a vibrant and sustainable future for years to come. Aberlin Springs aims to foster a thriving, health-conscious environment where healthy soil grows healthy plants which grows healthy people!
Learn More about Aberlin Springs here: https://oylerhines.com/aberlin-springs/
