WWFRF Fruit Garden

Fruit Garden Mission To provide support to WSU NWREC Fruit Horticulture Program through field demonstrations, educational activities, handouts, signage, website support and providing examples of recommended fruit varieties and their culture.

The Fruit Garden is open to the public 7 days a week from dawn to dusk. It is forbidden to pick fruit without specific authorization.

Members of the Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation are in the process of creating a seven acre Fruit Garden to allow the public to view successful fruit varieties developed for our Pacific maritime climate. Organic growing methods are encouraged.

The basic plan features a central oval of grass meadow, enclosed by a surrounding pathway bordered on either side by a lane of fruit trees. The inner-oval planting will consist of 28 heirloom or "old-time" apples such as Esopus Spitzenberg, Yellow Newtown and others that were well known in early settlement orchards. The outer-oval trees consist of various varieties of fruit recommended for our area, starting with apples to the North and peaches to the South, with pears, Asian pears, plums and cherries in between.

A roadway is planned to circle the entire garden. Nut, apple and stone-fruit trees are located along the West and South fences. Twelve individual plots were designed to demonstrate specific cultural projects. Areas are also set aside for arbors on which wine and table grapes, kiwis, and other vines can be grown. Other projects include unusual fruits, rootstock comparisons, pruning methods, extensive espalier designs and ornamental/edible landscaping.

Mature fruit trees from WSU Research plots have been added as they become available. Work is continuing with volunteer interest groups beginning to form. Pruning, grafting and tree-training techniques are demonstrated at WWFRF Winter Field-Day events.

WWFRF Fruit Garden "A"