As a consumer I attempt to purchase ONLY freestone fruit. Does the orchard have freestone or cling varieties? That alone would be a deal breaker for me.

I would want to see production records for as many years as possible. Does the area lose crops from hail, late freezes, strong winds, etc. How many losses out of how many harvests?

 

Peaches must be sprayed A LOT! I wouldn't want to be exposed to all those chemicals.

I agree, with Wendy! Records, income tax records and what about equipment? Will you be able to keep the same crew? Can you talk to the foreman? How old are the trees? They are not too long life trees. Are new/replacement trees already planted? What about outlets for selling? Do they have a sale barn on site or do they sell to companies, farmers markets??

I would have lots of questions.

 

There are at least ten varieties. And past years they have sold in the mid 5 figure range. They go easy on the spray and if I buy the place I would use only organic sprays. They have not replaced trees recently.
But I was hoping their would be someone on here with an orchard that could tell me the daily ins and outs. Before I go very far in this I want to know if I can handle this. I know the trees have to be pruned and have pruning books.
I know that compost is very beneficial to any fruit tree. Frost can ruin a crop, hail can scar both tree and fruit. And that is about all I know. Is there more I need to know? I am sure there is.
In this area you do a lot of things yourself. This is a very small orchard.