Growing practices
Here at Avella Orchard, we are pollinator friendly, pesticide and herbicide free, and use sustainable, restorative orchard practices. We are fostering a fruit "forest".
We are planting native species in our hedgerows and interplanting bushes, herbs, and flowers among our orchard trees.
We use wood chip mulch to restore a “forest floor” duff layer, conserving water and feeding the soil.
We add coir fiber (shredded coconut hulls) to provide aeration and water retention when we plant new shrubs and trees.
We use kelp, fish oil, crushed oyster shell, and local herbs to provide nutrition to the trees.
In addition we are adding more nitrogen-fixing trees, shrubs and ground covers to enrich the soil.
Pest control is provided by cultural practices (thinning, disposing of windfalls, etc.), spraying with a kaolin clay product that forms a barrier on the fruit, and using “sockies” (protective nylon mesh baggies) on high-value fruit. We also encourage birds, spiders and other insect allies.
We use kelp, fish oil, crushed oyster shell, and local herbs to provide nutrition to the trees.
In addition we are adding more nitrogen-fixing trees, shrubs and ground covers to enrich the soil.
Pest control is provided by cultural practices (thinning, disposing of windfalls, etc.), spraying with a kaolin clay product that forms a barrier on the fruit, and using “sockies” (protective nylon mesh baggies) on high-value fruit. We also encourage birds, spiders and other insect allies.
Marketing the Harvest
CSA -
(“Community Supported Agriculture”)-
Avella Orchard offers a “CSA” , a fruit box subscription during the harvest season (August through October). Each week you can have a box of that week’s ripe fruit delivered to your door or you can pick up your box at the orchard. The box will be a mix of apples, pears, plums, and other fruit. By paying for the multi-week delivery out front in July, you are guaranteed a share of the harvest, and provide the capital for a successful growing season.
Farmer’s Market -
We hope in the future to be at the La Grande Farmer’s Market in the spring with dried fruit and in the fall with fresh fruit.
Special Orders -
Depending on availability, bulk quantities of fruit may be purchased by arrangement at Farmer’s Market prices.
