The Orchard Meadow – Health to Pick Yourself

An own garden is not only a retreat but also offers the opportunity to grow small treats. An orchard meadow is the perfect way to grow delicious fruit and enjoy fresh produce from your own garden.

An orchard meadow in your garden not only makes the gardener's heart beat faster, but also brings joy to other garden residents like bees and birds, who appreciate the additional food source.

An orchard meadow is particularly characterized by the presence of several different fruit trees, unlike a monoculture, where only one type of fruit grows. From an economic perspective, a monoculture makes more sense, but orchard meadows are much rarer and are therefore promoted in many regions. On public orchard meadows, you will find old and tall trees, mainly bearing traditional fruit varieties. By creating your own orchard meadow in the garden, you can help preserve this agricultural tradition and continue to grow these old fruit varieties. And what could be better than a freshly picked apple from your own garden? Even butterflies, bees, birds, and other creatures will enjoy the blossoms and fruits. So, everyone benefits from the orchard meadow.

Even if a large orchard meadow can't be implemented in your own garden, you can still opt for a smaller version. The ideal location for your own orchard meadow is wind-protected and sunny. A green space is particularly well-suited for this, as herbs and wild plants can also grow under the fruit trees. While the best time to establish an orchard meadow and plant the trees is in autumn, planning for it can begin right now. An orchard meadow should consist of 60 to 80 percent apple trees, as they are easy to care for, undemanding, and very animal-friendly. You can then complement the apple trees with pears, quinces, plums, cherries, or walnut trees. The more diverse the orchard meadow, the greater the offerings for both humans and animals.

In Central Europe, the orchard meadow is one of the most species-rich habitats. More than 5000 different animal species can thrive in an orchard meadow. This is true for larger orchards, of course. In your own garden, you won't find as many animals, but common garden residents like butterflies, bees, hedgehogs, and various birds will definitely feel at home. Additionally, the harvest is not only delicious but also healthy. Small shelters for the new residents can also be set up around the orchard meadow. The more diverse the orchard meadow becomes, the better the pollination of the trees, and the easier it will be to control pest infestations.