Orchards
Orchard Report May 6, 2019
Orchards in CRNC Area- an initiative originating from Junior CRNC with fruit trees planted at three sites. Each site has a designated colour for purposes of implementing the maintenance plan.
- 16 trees located at 312 Conacher Drive in the central green space. RED
- 12 trees located at 263 Weller Ave. in the courtyard behind the Kingston Community Health Centre GOLD
- 20 trees located at 1130 Montreal St. (adjacent to the first housing parking lot off of Daly St. and Weller Arms Apartments 106 Daly St.) GREEN
On Friday May 3, 2019 Paul Vanden Engel President Shades of Green Landscapes and Christine Bell KCHC met at 0830 at the KCHC Gold Orchard and inspected each fruit tree noting several trees had some damage to the bark done by rabbits, the bark was not completely eaten off around the trunk and it is hoped the trees will survive. The white plastic trunk protectors were removed, some protectors were trashed due to damage and will need replacing in the fall several have been saved and stored at KCHC. Paul pruned each tree to set the shape of the tree to direct the growth into an open crown and curtail the height, it is recommended that ‘spacers’ be added to close branches encourage growth that allows room for fruit to develop. Stakes were inspected and several trees will need ties to the stake to encourage straight growth.
The Red Orchard at Conacher had trees pruned and fence protectors adjusted. There will need to be some repair of the snow fencing. The Green Orchard off Daly St. is the largest and had the most damage to the trees. Snow fencing needs to be repaired at this site. The pruned material at each site was either chopped up to provide biomass beneath the tree or removed to hedge rows at the edge of the orchards. Several of the residents showed some interest in the activity and with the installation of some signage each orchard can demonstrate ‘community cooperation, education and food to share’.
The next steps will be to:
- Create information sheets for local schools to find interested teachers who will engage students in the next maintenance and planting session.
- Recruit adults to work with students in the GOLD and GREEN Orchards e.g. St. Francis of Assisis School and Gold Orchard at KCHC are in close proximity and Rideau Heights School is in close proximity of the Green Orchard.
- Recruit adults only for the Red Orchard as it has the fewest number of trees and is not located close to a school.
- Do the repairs to the staking and add some spacers; Paul has indicated he will donate the needed snow fencing for this year.
- Plant for benefits (the permaculture or polyculture approach) and fertilizing.
- Watering- KCHC has made a watering hose available. Kingston Frontenac Housing Corp. must be approached to assist in finding a source of water for the Red and Green Orchards.*
* According to the Orchard Maintenance Plan developed by Bardi Vorster watering regularly will be of prime importance in the first 2-3 years for survival of the fruit trees.
Prepared by Christine Bell
