URBAN ORCHARD
|
1CHOOSE
YOUR LOCATION Trees take years to grow, and years to start producing fruit. They also require more space, so orchards may be better suited to cases where your neighborhood has two or more vacant lots next to each other. |
2
PREPARE
YOUR SITE Start with a soil test before planting to ensure the trees can thrive. Pick spots with the most sun, and plan to plant trees between 12 to 30 feet apart, depending on the tree size. |
3INSTALLING
TREES Dig a hole 2X the diameter of the root ball. Place the sapling and fill the hole in with soil, leaving the root flare (where roots meet stem) exposed. |
Materials Checklist
- ROTOTILLER OR SHOVELS
- You can dig trenches or holes.
- FRUIT TREE SAPLINGS
- Apples, pear, and stone fruit are great choices for our climate.
- MULCH
- Keep moisture in and weeds out with 2-3" of hardwood or leaf mulch
- STAKES & TIES
- Optional for supporting saplings
- WATER
- Drip irrigation system, garden hose, or other method
Local Resources
- MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
- Recommended Fruit Varieties
- Recommended Fruit Varieties
- GATEWAY GREENING
- Giving Grove Orchard Program
Design & Maintenance Tips
KEEPING TREES HAPPY
Fruiting trees need full sun during the growing season. Generally, a flat site with well-draining soil is ideal. Keep soil moist but not muddy, and water about once a week. Prune trees in the winter.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG
Before you begin to design your orchard layout, call 1(800) DIG-RITE to ensure utility locations are accurately marked throughout your lot.
Fruiting trees need full sun during the growing season. Generally, a flat site with well-draining soil is ideal. Keep soil moist but not muddy, and water about once a week. Prune trees in the winter.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG
Before you begin to design your orchard layout, call 1(800) DIG-RITE to ensure utility locations are accurately marked throughout your lot.
SAMPLE PLANTING DESIGN
LOCAL PROJECT EXAMPLE -
Our Lady of Holy Cross
Our Lady of Holy Cross
MAP OF LOCAL PROJECTS
You can view the map legend by clicking the icon in the top left corner.
If you would like to add your community greening project to this map, please submit a contact form.
MEET THE TEAM
The Vacancy Collaborative is a coalition of community representatives, private and nonprofit stakeholders, and City agencies, committed to reducing vacant property in the City of St. Louis. Reducing the negative impact of vacancy is a complex puzzle that requires coordination to achieve a shared vision. The Vacancy Collaborative is not a stand-alone entity—it was created to coordinate existing vacancy efforts under one umbrella, and to support the public and private sectors in working together toward comprehensive solutions.
The Reinvestment & Reuse Working Group, one of six collaborative working groups, focuses on identifying and promoting financial and sustainable solutions to equitably reinvest in vacant property. Topics include small contractor and rehabber development, financial reinvestment tools and historic preservation, and alternative land uses like those presented in this guide.
The Reinvestment & Reuse Working Group, one of six collaborative working groups, focuses on identifying and promoting financial and sustainable solutions to equitably reinvest in vacant property. Topics include small contractor and rehabber development, financial reinvestment tools and historic preservation, and alternative land uses like those presented in this guide.
Green City Coalition (GCC) is a collective initiative of state, city, community organizations, and neighbors working collaboratively to develop and conserve green spaces that promote healthy, vibrant and engaged St. Louis neighborhoods.
GCC has cooperative agreements with the Missouri Department of Conservation, City of St. Louis, St. Louis Development Corporation, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, with additional members varying by neighborhood, program, or project.
GCC has cooperative agreements with the Missouri Department of Conservation, City of St. Louis, St. Louis Development Corporation, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, with additional members varying by neighborhood, program, or project.
Arbolope Studio is an award-winning Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Public Art practice based in St. Louis, Missouri, focused on creating innovative and impactful landscapes that balance high-quality design, social equity, and environmental resilience.
Arbolope works with a variety of local, national and international clients including universities, institutions, corporations, and communities – at scales ranging from intimate landscapes to large urban plans.
Arbolope works with a variety of local, national and international clients including universities, institutions, corporations, and communities – at scales ranging from intimate landscapes to large urban plans.
If you have questions, comments, or additions for this toolkit, please submit a contact form.
