Community Orchard 2018

Photo above showing the newest addition, a row of nine Triple Crown Thornless blackberry plants.  Below, they are set by temporary T posts just to keep them protected and have something to support their first year.  We can always add a trellis or some other support system at a later date.  

All these were propagated by tip layering backyard plants.  Natural weed killer spray was used to prepare the site, vinegar, epsom salts and dish soap as surfectant.  It won't permanently kill the bermuda grass but does pretty good on everything else. 

We had a very cold winter, a long, cold spring but all figs survived and are coming back from the ground after top winter kill.    

Spruill Family Heritage

Jack SpruillJune 30, 2017 at 5:50 PM

"This is a super project. I am so glad that one of my Spruill Family "Heritage" fig bushes from North Carolina will soon be set out in the orchard. I hope it will like its new home. You can read about this variety and see photos at https://certified.naturallygrown.org/producers/4126 Jack"

Jack made that comment on our last post.  Honestly I have to partly credit the work Jack has done as being a major inspiration for the community orchard.  I encourage all readers to go have a read about what they do.

Having been such an inspiration and active in prompting me to get going with the project, I decided to start the second row of the orchard with the Spruill Family Heritage fig tree that was sent by Jack last fall and overwintered in the garage.  It has been in a five gallon bucket but I don't think it likes the confinement much, being it had five gallons worth of roots when he sent it. Time to spread those roots!

 Recent rains have done wonders for the ground out there and the digging ease is much improved!  This hole was prepared in about fifteen minutes after removal of the top grass layer.

Thank you for sharing a part of Your Family Heritage with our community Jack Spruill.  We're happy to have the honor!

Current spot map...

Adopt A Spot at the Community Orchard!

Ashley and Zachariah digging one of their holes at the community orchard.  They have "adopted" a few spots that will be planted with fig trees and given permanent markers at some future date.

It's a great cause to give the effort toward the future of the community and show those who will benefit from the fruits that you cared enough.  Someday Ashley's children and grandchildren will come to the orchard and see what she took part in creating.

To adopt a spot, dig a hole 3ft diameter x 2ft deep and write your name on the stake with a permanent marker.  Spots can be dedicated "in honor of" or "in memory of" a certain someone or couples, church groups, organizations, etc. Be sure to let me know and write anything on the stake that you want to be on the marker.

I'm trying to keep the top layer of grass clods, large rocks and good dirt separated as the holes are dug.  Using the grass layer to fill in low spots on the property and hauling the large rock to a pile in the far Southeast corner.  Just leave them by the hole and I will take care of them when back-filling and planting the trees.

At least one person has asked if they could plant their own tree.  I don't have any objections to that as long as it's a fruit bearing tree that doesn't require a lot of spray and needs to become drought tolerant once established.  The orchard concept I originally had was to provide as low maintenance as possible while giving a variety of fruits that aren't commonly known or grown locally.

So if you want to plant say an apple tree of some sort, know that I don't grow or know anything about apples!  Be prepared to provide upkeep and educate me.  Yes, I will also welcome orchard maintenance help in the future if anyone is so inclined to do that sort of thing.  I will need some eager souls who want to learn about the trees and other plants to carry on when I go to that big orchard in the sky. 

This is the current adopted spot record.  We have room for plenty more adoptions!

We have rain storage!

Three more 275 gallon IBC totes were acquired today at a whopping $12. total, yes TWELVE DOLLARS, the price of scrap zinc today being $4 per 50lb. That's a grand total of $17. for all four. Blessings for the community orchard to be sure!  They will be linked together and collect 1,100 gallons of rain water from the gym roof to supply a drip irrigation system that will be in the works soon.

There's a story to go along with these today.  On my morning delivery route, some totes were noticed along the highway at a "smart mart".  I stopped and asked how much. $50. said the girl. Okay and thanks said I and went along my way.  Smart me! 

That's kind of mid range for these, having seen them for as little as $30. upwards to $100., depending on what was in them and the quality.

After lunch I delivered to the same place the first tank was acquired months ago.  They had three more, single use in perfect condition  and the fella said they were about to be chopped up for the metal scrap if I didn't want them since they were taking up space.  Here they are, courtesy of Mike Copher at Shamrock Bolt & Screw who let me borrow the work flatbed to get them to the site.

Whoever doesn't believe there's a God who provides ways and means for His people to get things done according to His purpose, is missing out on a lot of good things!  Still a lot of work involved but He instructed them many years ago to dig ditches, the rain would come.  I'm trusting He will continue with us to completion of the orchard and there will be much fruit!

Noticed while there, somebody started another tree spot...

Planting Trees

Besides the first tree, a Hardy Chicago fig that was planted last year and will serve as the Sam Taylor Memorial Tree, two new trees have been planted.  This photo will serve as a spot record of holes that will be edited as needed .

The first to mention is a Sister Madeline's Green Greek fig that will serve as a memorial tree for my brother Lewis Christopher Little, by his daughter, Christina Cox.

Next is also a Sister Madeline's Green Greek, spot prepared by Carla Sharp.

The entire first row going in will all be Sister Madeline Green Greek Fig.  It is that good and we are going to need plenty of them! Not a problem since we have forty-something at home in gallon grow bags which were started from cuttings this year. 

   

Holes!

The joy of digging holes!  It's good for the body, mind and spirit to be working for such a cause.  It's not really work if you enjoy it, so they say.

The first hole was started where I suspect is the hardest ground that will be utilized for tree holes, in an area that was dozed and compacted some years ago in preparation for the large building behind the church.  I had tested it some weeks ago with post hole diggers and found them to be fairly useless.  A good sharp tip shovel with the wide foot spot was used.

As suspected, the surface soil was very hard and compact to about 9-10 inches, then the original topsoil was found.

The dark topsoil really was a joy to dig versus the previous cement like stuff.  It went down another 10-12 inches and turned into a somewhat rocky clay that started to show some fairly good moisture as it was sticking to my shoes.

Here's the result of my hour of digging.  The top grass was first set aside and larger rocks next to it.  The rest of the soil and small rocks will go back into the hole along with some amending items to add fertility.

The measuring stake back in the hole.  It will be left as is for awhile as an example for others to follow.

As I was finishing up, the first volunteer showed up to begin her adopted spot. She said it may take her a week and that is perfectly fine.  Go Carla! 

 I suspect as we go down the slope, the digging will get easier.    

     

Coop Prairie Community Orchard Officially Begins!

The Coop Prairie Community Orchard is officially underway as of yesterday evening.  Twenty-one wooden stakes, placed at 15' spacing mark the first spots for trees to be placed.

Plant spots are available for "adoption" by anyone wishing to help. Adopting a spot means a person cares enough for future generations to go out and dig a hole, 3' diameter x 2' deep. 

Holes will be lined with a wire mesh to keep moles and/or gophers out of the root area long enough for the tree to become established, planted with a tree, mulched and cared for.  

A permanent marker will be placed by each adopted spot, showing the name of the person(s) adopting it or whoever they wish to be honored or remembered.

There is already one fig tree next to the gym building on the property that was planted a little over a year ago to test the ground.  It has done as well or better than my yard trees and with very little care.  A permanent marker will be placed by this tree in honor and memory of Sam Taylor, a former and life-long member of Coop Prairie Church.  He cared a great deal for the church, the whole community and was indeed the landowner who gave the property we now set out to make into a community orchard.  He also had the foresight to see to it long in advance, that the property could never be confiscated by any greedy organization should the church ever cease to be affiliated with them.  Thank you Mr. Taylor.