Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nadeau Farms, our orchard, and growing fruit in the Palouse.
Is Nadeau Farms open for u-pick?
Not yet. Our orchard is still growing, and we anticipate our first harvest around 2028. This website documents our journey — what we're planting, what we're learning, and how the orchard is developing. Nothing is set in stone, and timelines may shift as we learn what works and what doesn't in our specific microclimate.
Where is Nadeau Farms?
We're in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of eastern Washington. The Palouse is known for rolling wheat fields, but it also has the climate and soil conditions to support fruit trees — with the right variety selection.
What fruit are you growing?
We're growing three types of fruit:
- Apples — Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Gravenstein
- Peaches — Reliance, Contender, Veteran, Harken
- Pears — Bartlett, D'Anjou, Bosc (European) and Hosui, Shinseiki (Asian)
Our variety list may evolve. We're learning what performs best on our specific site, and we may add or remove varieties based on how they do. See our What We're Growing page for more detail.
Can you really grow peaches in eastern Washington?
Yes, with careful variety selection. The Palouse gets plenty of summer heat for peach production, but winters can be harsh. We're growing cold-hardy varieties like Reliance (surviving to -25°F) and Contender that have proven successful in similar climates. Late spring frosts are a bigger risk than winter cold, which is why we selected varieties with later bloom times. Read more on our Peach Varieties page.
Will you use pesticides?
We plan to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which combines biological controls, habitat management, pheromone traps, mating disruption, and sanitation. Chemical sprays are a last resort, not a first response. We believe in being transparent about our practices — see our Codling Moth Awareness page for an honest look at pest challenges.
When will you open?
Fruit trees take 3–5 years to produce meaningful harvests. We're estimating around 2028 for our first crop, but this is a rough projection that depends on tree health, weather, and what Mother Nature has in store. Follow along on our Farm Progress page for the latest updates.
Can I visit the farm now?
We're not open for visitors at this time. The orchard is in its early growing phase, and there's not much to see yet beyond young trees and a lot of mulch. We'll share photos and updates on the Farm Progress page as things develop.