As I wait for the fruit to ripen on the plum and apple trees in my own garden, I thought this would be a good time to share a few simple tips for choosing fruit trees for your own garden.
- Think about which fruits you actually like to eat. (I am not a particular fan of pears, for example. So while I could grow them here, I do not bother. You’d be surprised how often people grow fruits that they do not actually like to eat all that much…)
- But don’t be afraid to try new things. There are plenty of more unusual fruit trees to consider.
- Consider your climate and microclimate. (Some fruits you enjoy simply might not be grown without a lot of expense and effort where you live. Looking to native wild fruit trees can often provide climate-appropriate options where cultivated fruits are harder to grow. For example, wild cherries grow well here while sweet cultivated cherries are much more challenging. )
- Think about the soil in your garden. (Is it waterlogged, moist or free draining? Is it fertile or poor? What is the pH? Answering these questions may help you narrow down your choices. Buying fruit trees as locally as possible will give you a better chance to choosing correctly for your specific area.
- How much space is available? And where exactly? (Remember to consider how large a fruit tree will eventually grow. This is determined largely and most frequently by the rootstock that is used. So be sure to choose a fruit tree on an appropriate rootstock. You should also consider whether you would like to train your tree, to grow as a cordon, fan, or espalier, for example, against a wall of fence. Buying fruit trees already starter trained makes this process a lot easier. )
I can help you put together a plan, and determine which trees to grow where on your property. So please do get in touch soon so you have time to order bare root trees over the dormant period.
EWSP Consultancy 