Fruit Trees in Small Gardens -You Can Grow That!

4 May 2013, by gj

Not long ago we looked at the espalier method of growing fruit trees. The photo on that post was of a huge garden at Kylemore Abbey in Ireland. The trees were grown against a wall as a way of increasing how much heat they received.

But the espalier method, a simple pruning and staking technique, also serves well to save space.
Here is a picture taken by my friend Jack Goldfil of allotment plots in Paris:

You can see how the trees have been pruned, allowing only the side branches to grow. These are further controlled by tying them to wires running across the whole area. Even in a garden plot this size there can be fresh fruit.

Now of course our garden areas are much larger. Still, we like to get the most from the areas we have growing. An additional concern is the squirrel population that took ever single piece of fruit from our trees last year.
Every. Single. Piece.

So we moved a few of the trees that were only put in last year and purchased a few more.

What we now have are 8 semi-dwarf fruit trees, one dwarf almond tree, and 3 bush variety cherries in a bed about 22′ by 4′. Since everything was just planted this spring, we won’t prune until after the harvest.
We are also going to build a structure above to drape netting over, in an effort to keep the squirrels out.

Remember to never prune more than 1/3 of the tree branches at one time. We will prune some in the fall, and a little more in the spring, containing the area they take up.
You can also plant crops below, as pruned trees don’t cast much shade. This year we planted potatoes and covered them with straw, additionally cutting down on the need to weed.

One other thing to keep in mind is that some trees, pears for example, need more than one variety to produce fruit. You can purchase “2 in one” of “all in one” trees that have been grafted with another variety. Just be careful when you prune to keep some of each variety growing on your tree.

Here’s Jack’s gardening page:Jardiniers du 4ème, where she shares more of her beautiful photos.

You Can Grow That! is a monthly collaborative effort by gardeners around the world to encourage and help others learn to grow.
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Categories: fruit trees, techniques, you can grow that

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4 Basics to Backyard Fruit Trees

10 April 2011, by gj

moving day

After jokingly referring to my 5 fruit and 1 nut tree as my “Dining Room Orchard”, I finally got them all in the ground today; albeit a little later than they should have been planted.

While the experience is fresh in my head, I thought I’d share:

1. Size Matters

A standard size tree will produce the most fruit over the longest period of time. It will also take up the most space and grow the tallest- making harvesting more of a chore.
A dwarf variety is just the opposite, producing less of smaller fruit but taking the least space. It additionally has a shorter life span.
A semi-dwarf takes a medium amount of space and will produce full size fruit, but less of it than a standard. Since the trees don’t get as tall, harvesting is much easier.
I always choose semi-dwarf varieties.

2. It takes two to tango

In the case of many fruit trees, more than one variety is needed for cross pollination. If room is limited, choose varieties that have more than one type grafted onto the same root stock. Look for names such as ‘two in one’ or “all in one” which indicate you only need one tree of that type and it will pollinate itself. When planting, be sure to keep that knobby graft area 2-3 inches above ground.

3. Give them some elbow room

This is a very important step. Plant spacing with trees is every bit as important as that with veggie plants. Give them enough room so their roots can get the nutrients they need to grow well.
A general rule of thumb is take the expected height they will grow (say, 10 feet) and plant them that far apart.
I will admit I plant mine closer, but I know I am taking a chance they will not do as well.

4. Read all about it!

Read the directions that come with your plant if ordering by mail.
When buying from a nursery, don’t be afraid to ask questions and take notes.

Always compare what you read and what you hear with other information available on the subject.
Learn when and how to prune, for example; likewise on fertilizing.

the future is in the flowers

Here’s my short video on How to Plant a Fruit Tree

Categories: fruit trees, how to grow

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