Q When should I plant my fruit trees into raised beds?
Ruth Brooks, by email
A CHRISTINE SAYS Since the trees have been grown in pots they can be planted at any time, as long as the soil is not waterlogged or frozen. Ensure the plants have has a good soak the day before, and always remember to water them in well and to do so for the remaining growing season to ensure they establish well.
Incorporating plenty of wellrotted organic matter into the bed before planting will help. Raised beds tend to dry out quickly, so be diligent with watering throughout the growing season to ensure they don’t dry out. Keeping it well away from the woody stems, apply a 10cm-thick mulch of wellrotted organic matter or farmyard manure to help retain moisture.
You’ve not mentioned the height of the beds nor the rootstocks of the dwarf trees but I’d suggest staking them to prevent any wind rock that can damage the root systems of dwarfing rootstocks.