Why grow flowers in your Orchard or Vegetable Garden?

One of the Reasons I go out in my garden is to experience joy! I love to see what's changing and what's going on. New weeds and new flowery arrivals never disappoint, nor do the surprisingly abundant vegetables forming on tiny trailing vines. It can sometimes be a wild mess, but it makes me happy!!

And I get fun surprises like this 3 foot tall fig tree with eleven figs!!!

The Short Answer to why grow so many flowers is that it gets the bees closer to the fruits and vegetables. More colorful plants = more of a selection for pollen. The other important factor is to avoid ANY KIND of spray or coating - EVEN ORGANIC - when the fruit trees & vegetables are in bloom. 

Many people don't want to plant flowers in their fruit orchards. And the trees suffer. 
I recently saw what could be a lovely orchard out at a country estate. A beautiful, but small orchard, and not a flower in sight.  My question:  "During the few days that any tree is in full bloom waiting to be pollinated, how do you think the bees will find it?"  THINK   ABOUT   IT 

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​A bit about multi-grafted or "fruit coctail" trees

Spur fruit, such as apples and pears are frequently grafted to provide several varieties on one tree. This is beneficial because two different varieties are needed for successful pollination. An apple and a pear, two different apples, or two differnt pears are examples. This tree has two different varieties of apples on one tree - so this works! The bees can find both varieties easily!!  

​Have your fruit trees
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Many nurseries sell these multi-variety trees, which are grafted onto a "root stock" adapted to a specific location, such as Western Washington, where the climate is wet and more prone to disease and pests. It is important to pay attention to this adaptation because some less resilient trees and shrubs will attract disease and pests more easily, and spread them quickly to surrounding plants in your orchard and your neighbors. Orchard trees take a lot of care, and can produce abundantly for years! Please take care of them, and our local bee populations as well! ​