Fertilizing "do's and don'ts"!
Learn why a "little more" may be a big mistake.
Grandpa loved to share his knowledge with everyone who asked!

Grandpa's Growing Tips


Grandpa was a fruit grower all his life, so he became a real fountain of backyard fruit growing knowledge, wisdom and common sense for his friends. Not only did he know how to grow the best fruit for the market, he knew what worked well for the garden orchard, too.

Click on a subject in the green box on the right to learn more about a particular area of backyard fruit production.

Click on one of the icons below to download handy reference charts. Usually requires EXCEL, WORD, or other programs in order to open properly.

Beware! Ole Grandpa can get a little pithy when it comes to talking about planting, pollination, spring or fall planting, soil additives, trimming, training, fertilizing, critters, harvesting, mulching, dwarf or semi-dwarf, spraying, chemicals, pesticides, fungicides, organic, etcetera...even about Grandma too!

If the answer isn't here, you can always Ask Grandpa! or send an email to AskGrandpa@GrandpasOrchard.com. We will try to get an answer to you that reflects Grandpa's wisdom and fruit growing philosophy.

Additional Information
Bareroot or Containerized
BYFG Benefits
How big a hole?
Planting it "Just right!"
Variety Selection
Soil and Site Basics
Soil Additives
UPS delivered my trees, now what!
When is the best time to plant?
Planning Your Orchard
Pollination Basics
Grandpa's fruit tree grades explained
Rootstocks and Spacing made simple!
Download Additional Information

Apple Maturity Guide

Use this handy Excel reference to help determine the approximate ripening time of your favorite apples. REQUIRES EXCEL TO OPEN.

Apple Pollination Guide

Use this handy Excel reference to help determine proper pollinators for your favorite apple varieties. REQUIRES EXCEL TO OPEN.

Pear Maturity Guide

Use this handy Excel reference to help determine when pears will ripen in your area. REQUIRES EXCEL TO OPEN.

Pear Pollination Guide

Use this handy Excel reference to help determine which pears to use to cross-pollinate each other. REQUIRES EXCEL TO OPEN.

Stone Fruit Ripening Guide

Use this handy Excel reference chart to help visualize when all the varietes of stone fruit will likely ripen in your area. REQUIRES EXCEL TO OPEN.

Sweet Cherry Pollination Guide

Use this handy Excel sheet to help determine which sweet cherries will pollinate each other properly. REQUIRES EXCEL TO OPEN.