RE: Site prep for new plot
borealboy; if you do an internet search for Manitoba dept. of Agriculture (Morden) you should be able to find info on the short season, disease resistant apples that they've been developing. I don't know you're exact location but most the the soil around Thunder Bay are sandy, organic soils. These are usually pretty deficient in nutrients. Get a full soil test.
Otherwise; the easy way to plant is to kill the present vegetation with Roundup then overseed. You'll need to take the Growers pesticide course before you can buy herbicide in commercial quantities.
Dan O.