Grow Your Own

Fruit Trees

fruit tree Fruit Trees Fresh fruit straight from the tree is so much tastier than from the supermarket.

You don’t necessarily need a lot of space, with the modern cultivars now available you can grow many fruit trees in containers on a balcony.

Planting Fruit Trees

If you are considering planting fruit trees it is also worth bearing in mind that they can be very decorative, especially if trained as fans against walls.

The most common fruitng tree to plant is an apple but there are many others to choose from including pears, cherries and plums. When planting apples and plums check with your suppliers to see if the variety you have chosen needs a pollinating variety to be planted with it.

Container-grown fruit trees can be planted at any time of year except when frosty or if the soil is too dry or too wet. However, the best time to plant your fruit tree is late autumn to early winter as this is when the tree is in its dormant stage. Avoid planting if there’s a frost – place roots into moist soil until conditions improve. As fruit trees will be in position for years it is important to prepare the ground well, adding plenty of organic material, such organic Farmyard Manure. For more advice follow our guide on How To Plant Containerised Trees.

Caring for Fruit Trees

Newly planted trees should not be allowed to dry out. Mulch around the tree every spring with organic material, again organic Farmyard Manure is great for this job.

Harvesting and Storing

Fruit should be picked as it ripens, which is usually when the fruit comes away easily with a quick twist. Some tree fruit stores better than others. In general apples and pears store well in a dark cool place. Only store sound fruit. Freezing is appropriate for apples and pears when cooked and pureed. Cherries and plums can be frozen or bottled but should be stoned first.