Introduction to Growing Peaches and other Stone Fruit in Minnesota

Course Description: Whether on a scale as large as a high tunnel or in a shelter for one tree, this class explains protection system principles in which you can successfully grow peaches, apricots, plums and nectarines organically in a commercially viable way.

The student will learn what cultivars of fruit to look for, why grafting your own trees makes the system work better, soil preparation, fertilization, irrigation, pollination, insect and weed control, tree training and pruning, harvesting and preparing the winter protection system that allows all this to happen. One to two hours of instructional time will start at WEI and move to Stone Creek Farm, just 22 minutes away in Shafer MN, where you will tour a working example of the system in action, with more than 100 peach and apricot trees.

The trees in the system have fruited after a winter with multiple outside temperatures in the 20s and 30s below and as low as -35°f, so far, the research is showing that the system could work with outside temperatures as low as -42 to -45°.

Crops permitting, students may be able to purchase ripe peaches after class.

What to Bring:

• Pen, paper, notebook and or laptop and a camera or cell phone to take pictures at the farm
• Bring a lunch to eat at Stone Creek Farm during the tour; also bring water or other beverage and any snacks you might want
• Outdoor wear including sunhat, sunscreen, and layers to protect from the sun or other weather

How should students prepare for class? Start a web search of cold hurry stone fruits including peach, nectarine, apricots and plums to help decide which of them you might want to draw in your system.

All are welcome. WEI classes are open to everyone.

Instructor Bio: Dan Sheild is a farmer in Shafer Minnesota who asked himself question in 2009, “Why can’t we grow peaches in Minnesota?” His curiosity and research led him to start asking other people why it can’t be done, the answers to that question provoked positive solutions, so together with Dan‘s background in construction, a system materialized and an unbroken run of ten peach-filled summers starting in 2015. The protection system Dan created has endured hostile conditions and temperatures as low as -35° and still produced crops of tasty organic golden orbs of goodness. Having started without any horticultural education, he sought every advantage to give him the resources to see his dream fulfilled, joining the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable growers Association, the Land Stewardship Project, NAFEX (North American fruit explorers) as well as membership in the Organic Fruit Growers Association (in which he is currently a board member), and a mentor, horticulturalist Bob Purvis. Dan is also an accomplished grafter and teaches grafting classes regularly each spring.

Make a day of it! On the way to WEI, visit charming Lindstrom, MN, for Northwoods Roasterie coffee and a pastry from the Lindstrom Bakery. After class, visit Wild River State Park (only 10 minutes from WEI). Franconia Sculpture Park is also nearby and open ’til 8pm daily.

If you would be interested in staying overnight at WEI before and/or after this class, please reserve accommodations through our FarmStay.

Dan Sheild also operates a campground at his farm via hipcamp – search for Taylors Falls Stone Creek Farm.