by HollieT
Growing fruit is an enjoyable and rewarding past time for many people, and this is hardly surprising when you consider the amount of fruit which can be obtained from just one tree. In addition, the blossoms produced by fruit trees encourage an array of beautiful and beneficial insects into your garden.
Nevertheless, a recurring question asked by many would be gardeners is not 'How do you plant fruit trees?' but 'When do you plant fruit trees and where should you plant them?'
The usual response to this question is late fall, early winter or early spring. Having said that,those in countries which experience varying climates such as the US, should first establish which planting zone they reside in. Once the correct planting zone has been determined the young tree can be planted before the possibility of any ground frost occurs.
Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of planting their fruit tree during the long summer months. Summer is not a good time to plant your fruit tree as it is highly likely that new growth will appear before the onset of winter. Sprouting new growth can cause a great deal of stress to a young tree due to the amount of nutrients required for the new growth.
A new tree needs a substantial amount of nutrients to become established, therefore, when nutrients are used to sustain new growth, the health of the tree becomes threatened.
In addition to considering when and where to plant fruit trees, you will also need to think carefully about the varieties that you choose because of cross pollination and fertilization. In other words, some fruit trees, such as many apple varieties, require cross pollination. Therefore, saplings need to be planted in groups of two or more, which are different varieties but must be compatible.
You may be surprised to learn that not all varieties of apple tree are compatible. The trees must also bloom simultaneously, as some varieties will bloom earlier than others.
Bees are responsible for much of the pollination process, so great care must be taken when using insecticides, they can harm the bees, your natural pollinator.
Citrus trees should be planted after the possibility of any ground frost has passed, spring is usually ideal. Choose a sunny position with well drained soil. Many citrus tree varieties thrive in climates which have long warm summers, however, they are only likely to survive if they are planted in regions that experience mild winters.
Having considered pollination and the need, should you consider planting apple trees, to choose compatible varieties, you will also need to think about the height and spread of the tree. As well as ensuring that you have adequate space in your garden to accommodate a mature, well established tree, you will also need to consider accessibility for harvesting and pruning.
In order for a fruit tree to thrive it needs to be planted and grown in the right conditions. Consequently, deciding where to plant your new sapling is of paramount importance.
There are a number of factors that need to be considered before eventually deciding on the ideal location to plant fruit trees which include, the size of the tree at maturity, proximity to buildings, drainage, quality of the soil and sunlight.
To plant fruit trees successfully, you will need to consider what type of fruit tree you have and think about the size it will eventually reach. For example, dwarf fruit trees will eventually reach up to eight feet in diameter and a semi dwarf fruit tree can reach up to fifteen feet in diameter. A standard fruit tree on the other hand, can grow up to thirty feet wide.
Like most plants, a fruit tree needs sunlight to survive, again however, this needs to be carefully considered. To plant fruit trees in a spot which is too often shaded, perhaps by a building, will threaten its survival, as will planting the tree in an area which receives constant sunlight. Try to find a spot which receives an adequate amount of sunlight but is also shaded for short periods during the day.
Watering, pruning and harvesting are important aspects of caring for your fruit tree, therefore, after establishing which area in the garden receives the right amount of sunlight, you will need to decide if this area will also be practical for watering, pruning and harvesting. if you plant your fruit tree too near to a fence or building, then it may be difficult to reach particular parts of the tree when you need to.
Find a spot for the tree where it can be reached by a sprinkler system or hose, whichever you may use. Likewise, ensure that where you have planted your tree will give you suitable access to all of its branches when pruning.
Establishing what kind of soil you have in your garden is probably one of the most important considerations . It is pointless considering all the other aspects of where to plant fruit trees if the soil in your garden does not contain the correct nutrients required for the tree to grow. In addition, there must be enough drainage to ensure that the fruit tree does not 'drown.' The best way to establish the suitability of the soil is to have it tested at a garden center or nursery. When the soil has been analysed, you will be advised as to what nutrients may be lacking.
If the soil is lacking in essential nutrients, fertilizer can be obtained from a nursery or garden center which will supplement any deficiency. It may also be the case that the soil in your garden may contain high levels of some other nutrients. You can therefore, use this information to decide which type of fruit tree will be most suited to your garden.
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Comments
A bad snowstorm ended March even as a bad rain storm and a bad wind day Thursday figured this week.
But the spring-peeper frogs (Pseudacris crucifer) have been spring-peeping off and on this week and last. They indicate imminent spring times and weather.
A Unitedstatesian saying looks at late Easter -- this year not until April 20! -- and late spring.
But might that not manifest this year? This Sunday or next Sunday net 70-degree-Fahrenheit weather even as the days in-between nestle into mid- to late 60s.
Wouldn't that sound like indoor-planting what will be my fruit-tree collection within the next years?
The historical record can be so amazing and fascinating.
It still is possible to invoke Mount Vernon plantings at the very time of President George Washington (Feb. 22, 1732-Dec. 14, 1799)!
For example, the first Unitedstatesian president liked as fruit trees lime and mulberry. He liked as nut trees Spanish chestnut!
When might he have planted the above-mentioned trees?
President Washington referred to the Gardener's Calendar and relied upon his own science-reinforced experiences!
The Unitedstatesian saying affirms a late-arriving Easter with a late-departing winter.
Easter 2025, at April 20, dates just five days short of its latest delay to April 25.
Hardy, plucky wild strawberries favor end-March to first-week November flourishings.
So might there be fruiting plants for candied, chocolate strawberries April 20?
Very likely, with planted-tree fruits perhaps in a year to 2 or 3 years hence ;-D!
Fruit trees can be planted monoculturally or multiculturally.
In a way, I like orchards planted in the astute way that President George Washington (Feb. 22, 1732-Dec. 14, 1799) planted his grove at Mount Vernon.
Is there any British, Cornish, Irish, Scots or Welsh president known for sensitive plantings?
(This side of the Atlantic pond matches planting know-how with King Charles III!)
Tovah Martin, in The indestructible houseplant, advises us about appropriate light, nutrients, soil pH, temperature and watering.
The aforementioned authoress considers two other influences that, like the above, configure happy health to houseplants.
Atmospheric moisture and night-time temperatures matter!
They must matter to fruit trees too, mustn't they?
The computer crashed before I communicated another component of my observation and question in the comment box immediately below.
Indoor plants interest me what with weather too cold for outdoor gardening. Woody plants always intrigue me what with bush, shrub, tree, vine importance to atmospheric, land, sentient-being and water health.
Dwarf fruit trees might be the indoor answer, correct?
The first paragraph to the third subheading, Planting citrus trees, advises us that "Citrus trees should be planted after the possibility of any ground frost has passed, spring is usually ideal. Choose a sunny position with well drained soil. Many citrus tree varieties thrive in climates which have long warm summers, however, they are only likely to survive if they are planted in regions that experience mild winters."
Have you ever included citrus trees among your houseplants?
Ismail Kadare (Jan. 28, 1936-1 Jul 1, 2024) included a lemon tree in her apartment for his heroine in his novel The concert.
A citrus tree inside is such an appealing, photogenic, practical, scented, tasty, versatile ornamental!
Hi Sheri,
You are so lucky, I'd love to grow more exotic types of fruit in my garden. But living in the UK, we're really limited as to types we can grow because of our often appalling and very unpredictable weather. And thank you very much for linking to Squidoo article, that's very kind of you. :)
2uesday, I have made the same mistake myself. A few years ago I had to have the fencing removed on one side of my garden (it was 6 ft high) and have it replaced with 4ft fencing panels because I could not get to back of the bush( it wasn't a fruit tree) to trim and prune and it and it wasforcing the fencing to lean into my neighbours garden, it was unsafe. So, much of this article is born from bitter experience! :)
I love having fruit trees in my yard. Since moving to Israel I can get great exotic types. This is a good reference you have put together here and I'm linking it to my squidoo article on fruit trees.