Growing Apples in Montana

Montana has a long history of growing apples. Depending on the cultivar and rootstock these often cold-hardy fruits can be grown in several areas of the state for both backyard enjoyment and commercial production.  The following sections will provide helpful information on establishing an orchard from unbroken ground in Montana.  If you have not already read through University of Minnesota's guide, "Before You Start an Apple Orchard" it is an important read for anyone who does not have experience growing apples to understand the time, cost, and personal committment growing a horticultural crop requires. 

Orchard Establishment

• Summary of Montana growing conditions

• Extension and other general resources 

• Site Selection

• Selecting Rootstocks and Apple Cultivars

• Orchard Design

• Orchard Fencing and Trellises

• Site Preparation and Planting

• Care of Young Trees

Orchard Management

• Irrigation

• Fertility (Coming Soon!)

• Pests  

  • Managing Codling Moth in Montana Commercial Orchards
  • Managing Codling Moth in Montana Home Orchards
  • Fire Blight
  • Voles, Pocket Gophers and Other Small Vertebrates

Heritage Orchard Management Resources

• Montana Heritage Orchard Program
  • Heritage Apple Tree Sale
  • Register Your Heritage Tree

• Caring for Heritage Trees
• Heritage Tree Identification (Coming soon!)
• Montana Fruit Production History: A Summary and Expanded Chronology  (Coming soon!)
• Discovering the History of Your Orchard  (Coming soon!)

Financial and Market Considerations

Coming soon!

Recorded Workshops and Presentations

Apple and Fruit Workshops and Presentations