NFG-So you think you want to be a fruit grower?

Start with a plan!

Many new enterprises start with an idea that has come about from necessity, invention, or just dreaming.  Commercial fruit growing can be a very rewarding endeavor, but it should be developed with a real plan. It has very high initial capital cost requirements. You will need to expand a new knowledge base.  It shouldn't be done on a lark. I have come to the point in my career that I discourage new growers who have not taken the time to develop a proper business plan. I can sell you all the trees your heart desires, but I cannot guarantee your success. I may make money, but you may lose your shirt!

If you currently are a farmer or heavily involved in the agriculture industry, then you already have a lot of the basic knowledge of the soil and what you can and can't do with it.  Fruit growing can be a profitable addition to your enterprise as long as it fulfills a real need in your operation.  Some needs may be:

More or increased revenues and profits in order to stay in business.

Expansion of existing products to sell in your existing market niche.

Land not suitable for your existing crop base that you would like to use more productively.

You have too much time on your hands, or you want to use your labor force more efficiently.

Little growth potential in your existing operation if continuing with the same crops.

Any number of reasons that you can identify, which make you want to expand your operation.

There are many important things to take into consideration when looking at starting up an orchard.  Most of these points will have additional articles on the site to help fill in the details. 
Our goal is not to make the decisions for you, or lead you in a particular direction, but to identify "thinking points" for you to examine and develop into a long term plan to make your new fruit growing operation successful and profitable over the long run. 
A Long Term Plan should be developed, since it can take any where from about 3 to 5 growing seasons for production to start in an orchard, and a few more years for significant long-term production to manifest itself.  It just makes sense to have a long term plan.  or hyperlink to it for more detail.

Here is a list of the articles which I encourage you to read and consider before you order any trees. It is not a primer on fruit growing by any means, but it identifies many of the questions which have been asked me over the years by “newbies”.

The Basic Questions to Answer First—Then make a Plan!

What is your Market?

The Dollars and Cents Questions

What about Organic Production

Soils and Fruit Sites

Orchard Systems

Variety Selection

Pollination Basics