Orchards

Bowen Island - Riley's Orchard

The orchard was planted over a 30 year period by John and Josephine Riley and contains almost 1000 different apple varieties making it one of the largest apple collections in North America. 

Most of the apple trees have been trained using the oblique CORDON method.  The single stems are planted 24” apart and trained at a 45 degree angle.  This allows for more trees in much less space than conventional plantings.

In 2019 Rob & Christine took over from the Riley's and selected traditional cider varieties that had done well in the original apple collection and grafted out a new cider orchard on the property. 

They also grow figs, cherries, pears, almonds, medlar, hazelnuts, quince, and apricot as well as raspberries, blueberries, and grapes.

Similkameen Valley- Four Winds Farm

The Four Winds Farm, situated on nine acres, was established in 1988 in the Similkameen Valley of the Southern Interior of BC. The trees were only 3 yrs old when owner Doe Gregoire started to transition them to organic methods of growing. Organics were just getting started and there was lots to learn about how to grow in this new way! Learning from other farmers, agricultural forums, workshops and collaboration with the Summerland research station all helped in developing the methods for organic growing.

The orchard consists of five acres of Macintosh and one acre of Spartans with about 25 peach trees. The Macintosh trees are grown on an Antonovka root stock that result in hardy, long lived standard trees. Most orchards have changed over to the popular super spindle root stock however the 40 yr old Macs are in their prime and continue to give exceptional fruit each year.

A creek runs through the property with Cottonwoods, Birch, Poplar, Saskatoon, Dogwood, Wild Roses, Prickly pear cactus. These species provides a natural habitat for birds, wild life, many varieties of bees and predator insects which are needed to keep the balance in organics.