By Roberta Bailey Close to 2 acres of the Common Ground Country
Fair’s permanent site is being planted to an experimental
orchard. Another quarter acre or so will be a tree nursery. Both
sites will be test plots for soil amendments, cover crops,
rootstocks, and new and old fruit cultivars, hardy and tender. A
portion of the orchard will be devoted to fruit cultivars that
originated in Maine over the last 200 years or more. As you
visit these experimental plots and watch them grow over the
years at the Fairgrounds, you may cultivate your own desire to
start an orchard. Here are some tips. Choosing a Site Unless you
are buying land, choosing your site is limited by the property
that you already own or manage. The best sites for fruit crops
have well-drained, deep, fertile soils; protection from wind;
good air drainage; and full sun. A gentle slope with six to
eight hours of full sun per day is ideal. Good air flow
moderates frost and fungal diseases. Choose the site on your
land that encompasses as many of thes