Establishing an orchard is an excellent way to generate income. It can either be an extension to your existing farm or a plain addition to your land. Still, running a successful orchard business is easier said than done. There are tons of factors to consider and lots of decision-making to make.
This business is not just for people who love to grow things. It requires extensive working hours and an extreme amount of patience. One needs to invest in different types of machinery. For example, you must look for an orchard cherry picker for sale and other necessary equipment to buy. You need to provide consumers with the highest-quality fruit. Wondering what it takes to maximise your potential of earning big with a small orchard? One is by avoiding the following costly mistakes when establishing an orchard:
Failure to create a solid business plan
No matter the type of business you may want to start, a solid business plan is always imperative. Consider not only the initial costs but also the other succeeding expenses. Know who your target market is, and don’t expect to have instant revenue. It can take between two and seven years before you can make money out of an orchard. Also, know the risks that come with fruit tree production, as well as the ways you can solve a problem when it arises.
Ignoring market demands
Just because you feel like planting apples doesn’t mean that they should be your only fruit tree of choice. Make sure to consider what your target market has that is high in demand but low in supply. For example, sour cherries are always in demand but are often low in supply. If your orchard location and the climate in your area is perfect for this type of fruit tree, then considering planting these instead.
Overlooking fruit tree requirements
One common mistake any rookie orchard owner should avoid is not checking which part of the yard has full sun. Take note that fruit-bearing trees need full sun to thrive and grow their best. If you want to maximise your yard, plant your sour cherries and apples in areas where they can get full sun exposure. Your selection of plants need to be in sync with what’s in demand and what can thrive in your region.
Ignoring your climate
It pays to pay attention to your orchards’ location. This way, you can grow the right fruit-bearing trees that can meet the market demands. Don’t overlook the lowest temperatures in your orchard overnight and the average humidity during summer. Take advantage of these details when picking the right variety of fruit trees. This way, your effort, and investment won’t go to waste. If you’re not yet sure what plants thrive in the climate in your region, don’t hesitate to consult a local nursery.
Failure to check the rootstock when buying fruit trees
A rootstock is an underground part of a fruit tree. Not checking the rootstock will prove to be problematic. The reason is that it can affect some tree requirements such as the type of support it needs and the planting distance for each tree.
Not having a solid business plan and ignoring the market demands, climate, rootstock and tree requirements are some mistakes that you’d want to avoid when starting an orchard business. Maximise your profit potential by keeping these valuable tips in mind.