DECIDUOUS FRUIT TREES

Deciduous fruit trees are available in winter, so it’s time to select and plant them. There are so many varieties that it can be hard to decide what to grow. If you have limited space, look for one of the many dwarf varieties that do well in a container. Full-sized trees suit larger gardens and bear heavy crops, but, whether dwarf or full-sized, many fruit trees need more than one variety for cross pollination. Do your homework or check with an expert before you buy. Some nurseries stock trees with compatible varieties grafted on the one plant.

Deciduous fruit trees are grown in the ground and dug out in their winter dormant period, ready for sale. They’re sold potted up in containers or straight from nursery beds, either bare-rooted or with their roots wrapped in a small amount of moisture-holding material (which should be removed before planting).

Plant the tree as soon as possible into a pre-prepared spot that has had some organic matter incorporated into the soil. Dig a hole at least one and a half times the size of the root mass. Build up a mound of soil in the base of the hole. Prune off damaged roots then spread the remaining healthy roots over the mound, ensuring any bud union (graft point) is above ground. Backfill with soil, create a small well around the base, and water thoroughly. Apply a layer of organic mulch over the root area. Keep the soil moist but not boggy. Don’t let the plant dry out during the coming summer.