ORCHARD

Orchard refers to an area where intensive cultivation of fruit crops is done. Or it is an
area where fruit crops like mango, citrus, papaya, banana etc. are cultivated. Or it is an enclosed
area where a fruit /group of fruit trees are grown.

Orcharding:
 refers to growing of fruit plants in an orderly manner and maintain them for
successive economic returns.

Garden:
 The term garden refers to fruit farm, where sophisticated agro-techniques are employed
for commercial cultivation.
Eg: Grape garden.

Specific crops: 1. Vineyard/vinery—grape garden
 2. Pinery- Pineapple
 3. Orangery—Orange garden

Plantation: refers to a fairly large area where cultivation is done with a particular type of fruit
crop.
Eg: Mango plantation, apple plantation, coconut plantation etc.
Estate: refers to large area (more than 1000 acres) of sole crop cultivation. This terminology was
used in earlier days (British empire).
Eg: Coffee estate and Tea estate.

Types of Orchards.
There are various types of orcharding
1. Orcharding with single variety of a particular fruit crop.
2. Orcharding with different variety of a fruit crop.
3. Mixed orchard with different fruit crops of almost equal life span.
4. Orcharding with intercrops/intercropping.
5. Multistoried orchard.
6. High density orchard.
7. Dry land orchard.
8. Clonal orchards.
9. Nutrition /Kitchen garden.

Dryland orchard:

 Growing of fruit plants in drylands like arid and semiarid zones as rainfed crop. This
concept is gaining importance as several fruit crops have been identified for cultivation in arid
and semi arid regions.
Eg: Ber, Aonla, Datepalm, Tamarind, Fig, Phalsa etc.
With the advancement of irrigation technology and efficient water harvesting and
conservation some of high value fruit crops are also being grown in arid and semiarid/rainfed
regions.
Eg: Mango, Grape, Pomegranate etc .




Kitchen garden

Fruits and vegetables play an important role in the balanced diet of human beings by
providing not only the energy rich food but also promise vital protective nutrients. In order to
make available the requisite quantity and kind of fresh fruit and vegetables every day to a family,
it is better to have a nutrition garden to grow them in the house premises. Fruits and vegetables
obtained from market lack freshness and deteriorate in the food value besides their exorbitant
price. Therefore, the best quality of the fresh produce can be had from one’s own nutrition
garden as the time interval between the harvest and the consumption becomes the least. Working
in a garden becomes a pleasure, an inspiration, a means of recreation and a possible family
enterprise in which all members have due share to spend the leisure hours. The whole family can
be engaged in it, where no great technical skill is required. The land available within the
compound of the residential building can be utilized for laying out a nutrition garden, which
would help in taking proper care, harvesting, irrigation and other operations. Big trees should be
planted towards the northern side of the garden as they will not only shade the vegetables but the
roots may compete for moisture and nutrition if planted in between.

      A model nutrition garden generally consists of growing vegetables and fruits either
separately or in combination. Thus the plan of growing vegetables and fruits has to be integrated
in a most beneficial manner.


     The size of the garden may depend on the area available in the compound, the time
available for its care and daily requirement of fresh fruits and vegetables of a family. To meet the
demand of vegetables for an average family of 5 to 6 members, an area of 200 square meters will
be sufficient. To produce 300g of vegetables per day, all the year round, about 50 square meters
of area is required. Depending on the space available and the family size the planning may be
done either for a big or a medium or a small size garden.


Guidelines/Principles in planning nutrition garden:

1. It is convenient to layout rectangular plot than a square plot.

2. Garden should be well protected with suitable fence.

3. Perennial vegetables like curry leaf, drumstick and quick growing fruits like papaya,
banana and lime should be planted along the border.

4. Perennial vegetables like coccinia, chow-chow, etc., which require support should be
planted at the rear end of the garden.

5. Long duration vegetables like tapioca, elephant foot yam, etc., may be planted together.

6. Suitable short duration companion crops such as radish, beetroot, carrot, etc., can be
grown with the long duration crops. These crops can be grown on the bunds.

7. Crop rotation should be followed in such a way so that each plot will be planted with
leguminous vegetable crop at least once in two years and also see that at least 4-6 kinds
of vegetables are always available.

8. One plot should be kept reserved for raising nursery seedlings.

9. Knowledge of planting season is essential in planning the cropping pattern.

10. The entire plot should be divided into a number of small plots (sub plots). The size and
number of sub plots can be decided based on area available (family size) and crops
chosen with convenience.

11. One or two compost pits may be dug in the shady corner of the garden.

12. The plot should be provided according to convenience using minimum space.

13. Creeping vegetables like gourds and others may be trailed on the fence or erected
pendals.

14. The area in between the perennial plants may be utilised for short duration shallow rooted
annual vegetables or spices like garlic, coriander, etc.

15. If the land is limited preference can be given for growing those vegetables which are
costly, highly perishable, not easily available in the market and which can produce
maximum edible vegetables per unit area.
The irrigation channel from the water source and path should be so planned and prepared that it
covers the whole area of the garden for easy operation