BEAVER DAM – The Dodge County Master Gardener Association will host a free program on small home fruit orchards later this month.
The association will meet at 6:30pm Thursday, June 25, at Moraine Park Technical College in Beaver Dam. The program is free and open to gardeners of all experience and skill levels.
This month’s presentation is “Small Home Fruit Orchards,” led by Josie Dillon. The program will focus on growing apples, peaches, pears and cherries, including variety selection, pest management and choosing the right site.
Organizers say successful fruit growing depends on matching each fruit species and variety to the right climate, soil and growing conditions. Apples and pears generally do well in cooler climates with well-drained loamy soils, while peaches and cherries prefer slightly warmer conditions and can be more sensitive to frost.
The presentation will also cover factors such as hardiness zones, disease resistance, chilling hour requirements and pollination needs. Disease-resistant apple cultivars, cold-hardy peach and cherry varieties, and fire blight-resistant pear varieties are among the examples expected to be discussed.
Dillon is the statewide fruit outreach specialist in the Horticulture Program. She holds a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife biology from the University of North Dakota. She previously worked with Midwest and Northeast apple and stone fruit growers through the IPM Institute of North America, focusing on integrated pest management practices.
Participants will also have a chance to learn more about the Master Gardener program and meet others with gardening interests.
More information about the Dodge County Master Gardener Association and upcoming educational opportunities is available at dodgecountymga.com. The group can also be reached by email at dcwimg@gmail.com or through Facebook and Instagram.
