K-State Research and Extension Johnson County

Backyard Garden: West Orchard


apple tree
Planted in 2009, the West Orchard demonstrates common fruit trees for Kansas City on different rootstocks.

Points of Interest:

  • Four of the original 10 trees remain.
  • Apple varieties:
    • Liberty on semi-dwarf rootstock, harvest in late-Aug to early-Sept
    • Red Delicious on semi-dwarf rootstock, harvest mid-Sept
    • GoldRush on dwarf rootstock, harvest mid-late October
  • European Pear:
    • Moonglow European pear on semi-dwarf rootstock, harvest mid-August to mid-September
    • Pears don’t like being planted in wet areas but can survive more moisture once established.
    • Our European pear was planted on a mound to overcome a wet location at the bottom of a slope.
      Last year, it lost its original cross-pollination partner.
  • Asian Pears (planted in 2016):
    • Varieties:
      • 20th Century Asian pear, harvest mid-July to Aug
      • Hosin Asian Pear, harvest mid-July to Aug
      • Yoinashi Asian Pear, harvest mid-July to Aug
    • Asian pears perform well in the KC area. The fruit can remain on the tree and be harvested over a 2-3 week period of time, extending the time for homeowners to enjoy.
  • appleVarieties were chosen for:
    • Their ability to cross-pollinate.
    • Hardy in Kansas City
    • Their rootstocks represent semi-dwarf and dwarf apples, and semi-dwarf pears
  • The last several years, we’ve struggled with being in a frost pocket which wasn’t as much of a problem 16 years ago when the orchard was established.
    • Early, long warm stretches in Spring followed by lows in the teens are more common.
    • Currently, we don’t reliably get fruit from every tree and we removed our two aging peach trees.

Tips:

When purchasing fruit trees, look for varieties and rootstocks which:

  • Are hardy for your Horticultural Zone
  • Impart disease resistance for your area. Fire Blight and Cedar-Apple
  • Rust are important disease considerations for Kansas City.
  • Match your desired size
  • Are compatible with your soil-type
  • Are self-fertile or need a cross-pollinator partner

Garden Address

35230 W 135th St
Olathe, KS 66061

Master Gardeners are available to answer questions and provide tours while they work the gardens Wednesday mornings, March to October. To schedule a visit on another day (M-F), please contact us at bygjocoemg@gmail.com

Have questions? The Garden Hotline is staffed by trained EMG volunteers and Extension staff who will assist you with questions.

Phone: (913) 715-7050

Email: garden.help@jocogov.org

Backyard Garden home page