What Is A Micro-Orchard, And Why Is It A Good Approach To Growing Fruit, According To Our Expert Orchardist

Orchards are usually considered large plantings of multiple trees, and many people who'd like to have an orchard think they don't have the space. But there are options for growing fruit trees in smaller spaces. Micro-orchards are becoming popular among urban gardeners and those who practice permaculture. At its most basic, a micro-orchard simply means a small orchard (five trees is considered the minimum) that is appropriate to one's available space; it's also less work than managing a larger orchard. Micro-orchard plantings can be designed to include a mix of fruit and/or nut trees, and they can enrich biodiversity, so they're one of the best ways to grow fruit in your garden.

The growing popularity of micro-orchards has inspired a term known as "micro-orcharding", which refers to high-density plantings that produce a comparatively large amount of food. These plantings also allow maximum diversity of fruit varieties, and many fruits are available in dwarf cultivars well-suited for micro-orchards. Depending on your growing zone, you can potentially harvest fruit from June through October. 

Smaller trees mean less fruit, but more trees per square foot mean a wider assortment of fruits — so keeping trees small and well-pruned is key to good production. Well-pruned fruit trees are also more hardy in harsh weather conditions, as well as more resistant to pests and diseases. The timing of pruning is important, so be sure to consult resources like The Orchard Project for tips on pruning different fruit or nut trees.

To get started planning the design for your micro-orchard, look at what you already have. If there are some mature fruit trees, prune them so you can plant more. Choose dwarf trees for planting, which produce more fruit on a smaller tree. In a micro-orchard, you will plant trees more closely together than usual, with about 6 to 8 feet of space between each fruit tree. Using good soil practices (improving drainage and nutrients with amendments and organic compost) will help tree roots stay healthy in a smaller space.

If you have containers, create an arrangement that allows you to grow food crops in them while utilizing the available light (tomatoes need full sun, while many greens grow well in partial sun). You can take advantage of any vertical fence or wall space for growing, too. You can try creating an espaliered fruit tree structure, or grow fruit vines such as kiwis if your climate is suitable. Putting bird feeders in your fruit trees keeps the birds happy.

Consider other features for your micro-orchard that let you grow more diverse food options. Polyculture and beneficial accumulators are permaculture principles that work well for orchard spaces. Polyculture encourages choosing the best plants for available soil, space, and light, while beneficial accumulators are plants that attract insects that increase soil nutrition and renewal. You can start your micro-orchard focused on growing fruit and gradually learn to incorporate additional methods for increasing the health of your garden eco-system, as well as providing nutritious food crops.