The primary requirement for an orchard site is good shelter. A dense row of trees to the west is essential. This shelter prevents winter desiccation and traps snow. As the trees start producing fruit, good protection from the south is required to prevent wind damage to fruit and branch breakage. In four years the new shelterbelt will be 10 feet tall and will provide adequate protection.
Drip irrigation is adequate and more cost effective than other systems.
Dry land orchards will produce crops but quality may be less and trees have to be spaced further apart. A field recently broken from alfalfa is ideal. If the trees are planted at a 20 x 20 foot spacing, cultivation three or four times a summer will take care of most of the weeding. Some hoeing around the base of the trees will be required. Hoeing will take approximately three hours per 100 trees each time the operation is required.