A free-to-pick public orchard.
Upcoming Events:
Spring Planting day and Plant Swap is May 9th! Plant Swap at 9:00. Planting and mulching begins at 10:00. Bark grafting workshop at 12:00noon.
Work parties for the 2026 season will be
the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 4-7 and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 9-12. They will begin April 25. As always, come for any part of the workparty. Dress for the weather and bring work gloves and water bottle if you got 'em.
Saturday April 25th from 9-12noon
Thursday May 7th from 4-7pm
Saturday May 9th from 9-12noon
Thursday May 21st from 4-7pm
Saturday May 23rd from 9-12noon
Thursday June 4th from 4-7pm
Saturday June 13th from 9-12noon
Thursday June 18th from 4-7pm
Saturday June 27th from 9-12noon
Thursday July 2nd from 4-7pm
Saturday July 11th from 9-12noon
Thursday July 16th from 4-7pm
Saturday July 25th from 9-12noon
Thursday August 6th from 4-7pm
Saturday August 8th from 9-12noon
Thursday August 20th from 4-7pm
Saturday August 22nd from 9-12noon
Thursday September 3rd from 4-7pm
Saturday September 12th from 9-12noon
Thursday September 17th from 4-7pm
Saturday September 26th from 9-12noon
Thursday October 1st from 4-7pm
Saturday October 10th from 9-12noon
Thursday October15th from 4-7pm
Saturday October 24th from 9-12noon
Mt. Joy Orchard is a free to pick public orchard providing a creative social space while demonstrating the use of agricultural practices that promote pollinator habitat, biodiversity and the preservation of Maine's agricultural heritage.
The orchard currently consists of over 100 fruits trees, mostly heritage Apple cultivars on standard rootstock, along with Pears, Peaches, Cornelion Cherries, Yellowhorn, Paw Paws, Apricots, Asian Pears, Elder Berries, Plums and other minor fruits.
Mt. Joy is maintained by the community, mostly during monthly work parties. Please join us for a work party, or get in touch if you would like to help maintain the orchard independently. Every spring we plant more plants, always with a eye towards expanding diversity. Every fall we add lots of mulch to help build up the soil and minimize weed pressure. In winter we prune the trees to maintain health, productivity and ease of harvest.
The proposed development of the adjacent lot to the orchard appears to be on hold at the moment
2025 Gallery
Early Days of the Orchard
We acknowledge that the Mt. Joy Orchard stands on Indigenous land. The Dawnland tribes made Machigonne their home for thousands of years. This region was a site for seasonal gatherings, most especially sustenance fishing and harvesting shellfish. In the Wabanaki spirit of generosity and sharing, we offer this orchard to the community so that all who live here may have sustenance. This area is also the historic site of 19th century Fort Loyal, where a great battle was fought over rights and resources. Our goal is to practice the reciprocity principle and restore our relationship to the land which sustains us all.