A free-to-pick public orchard.
Upcoming Events:
March 23rd 1:00pm - Mt. Joy Pruning round 2. We had a great pruning workshop on Feb 24th, but we didn't quite get the job finished. So we will have a second session. We'll have a optional pruning workshop for folks who aren't familiar with pruning. Please dress for the weather and bring any pruning tools you have with you. Free and open to the public.
May 11th 8:30-3:00 - Spring planting day
8:30 - Mt. Joy Plant Library Tour, learn about perennials available to dig and take home. Bring a bucket and shovel!
9:00 Sharp! - Plant Swap, swap seedlings, divisions, seeds etc with fellow gardeners.
10:00 - Work party begins! We are planning on a big plant out of Low Bush Blueberry and some Paw Paws this year!
12:00 - Potluck Lunch and Grafting workshop
1:00 - Work Party resumes.
3:00 Closing circle
Regular Workparties for 2024 will be the second Saturday from 9-12 and the 4th Thursday from 4-7. You can arrive at any point and stay as long as you want.
Thursday May 23rd, 4-7pm
Saturday June 8th, 9-12Noon
Thursday June 27th, 4-7pm
Saturday July 13th, 9-12Noon
Thursday July 25th, 4-7pm
Saturday August 10th 9-12Noon
Thursday August 22nd, 4-7pm
Saturday September 14th, 9-12Noon
Thursday September 26th, 4-7pm
Saturday October 12th 9-12Noon
Thursday October 24th 4-7pm
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.
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.