Bearing FRUIT
Why not eat fruit straight off your own trees, says Ginny Clark
AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, the new season’s fruit trees become available for us — plums, peaches, nectarines, apples, pears, figs, cherries, and almonds.
There really is nothing quite like picking fruit straight off the tree and eating it. In the Bay of Plenty, the biggest problem is choosing what you want to grow because we are spoiled for choice.
My recommendation is to grow what you like to eat and consider the time of the year you are most likely to be home, so you can enjoy the fruit straight off the tree. For example, if you like plums and you always go away on holiday in mid-january, plant a plum that ripens either earlier in January or later in February. Luisa and Hawera plums are good varieties as they are self-fertile and productive.
Also consider how much room you have. Dwarf fruit trees are perfect for smaller gardens or pots. Peaches, nectarines and apricots are such cute dwarf trees and are prolific fruiters.
Apples and pears are always popular and great for espaliering along fence lines.
Some apple trees are double and triple grafted, so you have a tree that has an early, mid, and late-ripening variety on it, like
Royal Gala/golden Delicious/splendor. Same with pears, which is extra good as the two varieties will pollinate each other, meaning you only need the one tree. Great if you only have limited space.
Remember, some plums and pears will need another variety planted close to them, so they pollinate one another. Check out who goes with whom before you plant. A lot are self-fertile too. If you have fruit trees that don’t seem to bear much fruit, the lack of the correct pollinator or bees may be the problem. Encouraging bees into the garden by planting lavender and rosemary close by will help with pollination.
Fruit trees are easy to care for if you follow a few basic steps.
When planting ensure you use a goodquality compost or planting mix and add in a slow-release fertiliser.
Stake and tie them securely at planting time, as the roots will have been trimmed and the tree will blow over once the leaves come if you don't. You may also wish to prune your tree to encourage the longterm shape. For example, prune out any inward facing and long branches off your new plum tree so as it develops into a vase shape. This will also help the roots get a better start as they won’t need to support so much top growth.
Follow a spray programme to prevent fungal diseases and insect pests — see our website for details or pick up a copy of our Ican Home Orchard pamphlet in store.
I will be doing a free Fruit Tree Care and Pruning Demonstration tomorrow at 1.30pm here at Decor Gardenworld, so come and join in.