When do I move fruit trees from my greenhouse to a sheltered spot outside?
Chris McDonald, by email
Stefan says: You have two patio fruit trees in your greenhouse. There’s a dwarf apricot, variety ‘Orange Beauty’, that has grown too tall and you want to move it outside against a south-facing wall. You also have a patio nectarine, variety ‘Nectarella’, that has become bushy and you also wish to move this onto a south-facing wall. But you wonder when would be the best time to move them and if they’d need any special treatment.
If you’re able to grow nectarines outdoors, I assume you live in a fairly mild area; although contrary to what many gardeners imagine, apricots are hardier and will grow outdoors almost anywhere. I suggest you wait until spring – early April ideally – and prepare the new planting position with plenty of compost. Water the plants well before moving them.