The only thing I changed was that I flipped the rows so the larger nut producing trees are to the north of the shorter fruits to prevent shading and create a multi-layered food system from north to south. I planted a pretty good mix of pears, cherries, plums, white walnut, pecan, almond, pawpaw, jostaberry, kiwi, hazelnuts (lots of hazelnuts), so many different kinds of raspberries that bear at different times... I organize a tree sale every year through work which allowed me to buy the plants bare root at cost, and choose the species I wanted. Perks.
This was really a planned endeavor that turned out pretty well. I had the pigs in there last year and they worked that area up for me pretty well, fertilized it, and gave me half a ton of pork for the freezer. I don't see keeping pigs for several years at this point and when I do it will only be at selective times of years to clean up the fruit/nut drop for a short period of time in that area. With the other area fenced in now I can focus in on fencing 3 more paddocks to the south and turn the goats into those to work down the woody veg and provide me another service, as well as meat. It won't be long til the ducks and geese are big enough to work through the orchard area and keep that tamed. I'm going to move the rabbit tractors out there soon too for some rotational grazing between the rows. I've got things figured so that my 3 does with litters can raise their litters with enough space to move each tractor every day or two.
I also planted another 1/4 acre of pollinator plants for the bees this year. This keeps another area of my yard free from grass that needs mowing and provides bee food throughout the growing season.
I had a large group of college kids out at my place last week for a field lecture and one of the questions was how much am I saving by growing my own food? That's a tough question to answer at this point. I know how much I'm still spending on the little bit that I need to buy but have no idea about what I'm not buying by foraging and growing; not to mention the difference in quality between homegrown vs. store bought.
