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Johnson County

Research-based Information You Can Trust — Localized for your needs

Johnson County
11811 S. Sunset Drive
Suite 1500
Olathe, KS 66061

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday,
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(913) 715-7000
(913) 715-7005 fax
jo@listserv.ksu.edu

Map to our office

K-State Research and Extension is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Johnson County Extension at (913)715-7000. Notify staff of accommodation needs as early as possible.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Backyard Garden: West Orchard


apple tree
Planted in 2009, the West Orchard demonstrates common fruit trees for Kansas City on different rootstocks. 

Points of Interest:

  • Four of the original 10 trees remain. 
  • Apple varieties:
    • Liberty on semi-dwarf rootstock, harvest in late-Aug to early-Sept
    • Red Delicious on semi-dwarf rootstock, harvest mid-Sept
    • GoldRush on dwarf rootstock, harvest mid-late October
  • European Pear:
    • Moonglow European pear on semi-dwarf rootstock, harvest mid-August to mid-September
    • Pears don’t like being planted in wet areas but can survive more moisture once established.
    • Our European pear was planted on a mound to overcome a wet location at the bottom of a slope.  
      Last year, it lost its original cross-pollination partner.
  • Asian Pears (planted in 2016):
    • Varieties:
      • 20th Century Asian pear, harvest mid-July to Aug
      • Hosin Asian Pear, harvest mid-July to Aug
      • Yoinashi Asian Pear, harvest mid-July to Aug
    • Asian pears perform well in the KC area. The fruit can remain on the tree and be harvested over a 2-3 week period of time, extending the time for homeowners to enjoy. 
  • appleVarieties were chosen for:
    • Their ability to cross-pollinate.
    • Hardy in Kansas City
    • Their rootstocks represent semi-dwarf and dwarf apples, and semi-dwarf pears 
  • The last several years, we’ve struggled with being in a frost pocket which wasn’t as much of a problem 16 years ago when the orchard was established.  
    • Early, long warm stretches in Spring followed by lows in the teens are more common.
    • Currently, we don’t reliably get fruit from every tree and we removed our two aging peach trees.

Tips:

When purchasing fruit trees, look for varieties and rootstocks which:

  • Are hardy for your Horticultural Zone
  • Impart disease resistance for your area. Fire Blight and Cedar-Apple
  • Rust are important disease considerations for Kansas City.
  • Match your desired size
  • Are compatible with your soil-type
  • Are self-fertile or need a cross-pollinator partner

Garden Address

35230 W 135th St
Olathe, KS 66061
 
Master Gardeners are available to answer questions and provide tours while they work the gardens Wednesday mornings, March to October.  To schedule a visit on another day (M-F), please contact us at bygjocoemg@gmail.com

Have questions? The Garden Hotline is staffed by trained EMG volunteers and Extension staff who will assist you with questions.

Phone: (913) 715-7050

Email: garden.help@jocogov.org

Backyard Garden home page