Farm Progress
Follow along as we build our orchard from bare land to bearing fruit. This page will be updated as milestones happen.
Timeline
Growing a u-pick orchard is a multi-year process. Here's where we are and what's ahead.
Planning & Research
Completed
Researched fruit varieties suitable for USDA Zone 6b, evaluated rootstock options, and planned the orchard layout. Consulted with WSU Extension resources on pest management and soil preparation for the Palouse region.
Site Preparation
Completed
Cleared the planting area, tested and amended the soil, installed irrigation infrastructure, and set up deer fencing to protect young trees.
Tree Planting & Early Care
In progress
Apple, peach, pear, and apricot trees are in the ground. We're focused on establishing strong root systems through proper watering, mulching, and first-year pruning. The trees need several years of growth before they can support a fruit crop.
February 2025 Flooding
February 23, 2025
Heavy flooding along the South Fork of the Palouse River damaged several of our young apple trees. Waterlogged soil and standing water caused root damage that a few trees couldn't recover from. We lost a handful of apple trees and spent the following weeks assessing damage, improving drainage channels, and planning replacement plantings for the next dormant season.
March 2026 Flooding
March 14, 2026
The South Fork of the Palouse River flooded again, this time taking out a handful of our apple and peach trees. Despite the drainage improvements we made after the 2025 flood, the sheer volume of water overwhelmed parts of the orchard. We're replanting during the next dormant season and continuing to refine our site grading. Two floods in two years is tough, but it's reinforced how important resilient infrastructure is for long-term orchard health.
Growth & Training
Upcoming (2026–2027)
Structural pruning and training to develop strong branch frameworks. Monitoring for pests and disease. Building pollinator habitat around the orchard.
First Harvest
Expected 2028
If all goes well, our trees will produce their first meaningful crop. We'll evaluate fruit quality and quantity before deciding when to welcome visitors.
A Note on Patience
Fruit farming is a long game. Depending on variety and growing conditions, apple trees take 3–5 years to bear fruit, peaches 2–4 years, and pears 4–6 years. We're committed to doing this right rather than rushing it. Our timeline may shift based on how the trees respond to the Palouse seasons.