Planting fruit trees in your yard is a great way to add both aesthetic value and a sense of connection to nature to your outdoor space. This tutorial will walk you through the necessary procedures to plant and care for fruit trees, whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out.
You will learn everything you need to know about caring for these productive additions to your outdoor space, from choosing the correct types for your environment to meeting their demands throughout the seasons. Follow along as we go over the steps necessary to establish a productive orchard in your own yard so you may enjoy the results of your labour.
What Are The Benefits Of Planting Fruit Bearing Trees?
In addition to their aesthetic value as springtime flowers, summer fruits, and autumn leaves, growing tree fruit has many other benefits.
Free Food!
One of the most obvious advantages of cultivating trees in one’s own yard is the high volume of delectable produce that can be obtained totally free of charge. Having a reliable source of fresh fruit allows you to save money, especially if that fruit is organic. Moreover, it’s hard to top the satisfaction of eating something you grew yourself.
Depending on the size of your tree, you may have so much fruit that you can’t eat it all before it spoils. Some fruits, such as peaches and cherries, can even be frozen for several months and used at a later time, so there are many options for storing fruit for later use.
Freshly Picked Fruit Is The Healthiest Kind
Fruits and vegetables lose nutritional value and flavour the longer they sit in storage after being harvested. These compounds diminish over time on their own, so eating fruit right off the tree is the best way to ensure you get the most nutrients.
You can also avoid covering your produce with pesticides by using natural, organic pest control methods when you cultivate your own fruit. Unlike a lot of stored fruit and vegetables, these will not have preservatives or waxes applied to them to increase their shelf life.
They Increase Property Value
Planting trees in your yard can boost its value because of the aesthetic benefits they bring and the practical benefits they provide in the form of shade. Houses that are significantly shaded by trees typically have lower summertime temperatures and require less air conditioning.
However, fruit trees are highly prized due to the abundance of free food they produce. It has been shown that planting a tree on the property today can result in a nice financial return when the time comes to sell the house.
Planting Trees Decreases Your Carbon Footprint
Trees are a natural carbon sink, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they benefit the ecosystem by removing CO2 from the air and replacing it with oxygen. However, that’s not the only way apple trees help the environment.
Transporting fruit from around the world uses a lot of energy and fuel, which contributes significantly to global warming. Reduced reliance on foreign suppliers would be a significant boon in the fight against global warming if more people cultivated their own fruit at home.
They Feed And Protect Our Local Wildlife
Trees provide cover for wildlife, including birds, squirrels, insects, and other creatures vital to the health of the ecosystems where people live. Wildlife can get a decent amount of nourishment there as well, so have no fear! In a single year, a single tree can yield hundreds of fruits, so you’ll have plenty to spare.
You can count on swarms of bees and butterflies to visit your tree when its colourful flowers emerge for the season in the spring and summer. It’s possible that you’ve heard that the abuse of chemical pesticides has put bees on the endangered species list; however, if you plant flowers and look for other ways to control pests, you can do your part to conserve them! Furthermore, if you have a food garden that requires pollination, a large blossoming tree serves as a neon sign welcoming bees to your yard.
Choosing The Right Fruit Trees
Size Matters
Take into account the potential size of your fruit plants. Most homeowners prefer dwarf or semi-dwarf trees for their gardens. These trees will mature at a smaller size than typical varieties and bear fruit earlier. On average, four semi-dwarf fruit trees can be grown in the same area as one regular tree. Size at maturity can vary widely depending on the type of fruit you’re growing, but generally speaking, you can plan on your tree to be as wide as it is tall.
Dwarf trees are the smallest type of tree and usually only reach a height of 8 feet or 10 feet. Even if you live in a small apartment, you may still have a fruit tree on your patio by growing a miniature tree in a container.
The next level up is semi-dwarf trees, which reach a height of 12-15 feet. These are manageable in most gardens, and even if you don’t have much room, you can still cultivate them in pots. Compared to a dwarf tree, a semi-dwarf tree can yield nearly twice as much fruit in the same amount of space.
Standard trees are the only fruit trees that are not grafted, and they are also the largest of the fruit trees. They can reach heights and widths of over 25 feet because they are grown from their own individual rootstocks. There are, however, a few notable exceptions to this rule. Natural selection ensures that standard peach and nectarines remain a manageable 12-15 feet tall, the height range of most semi-dwarf trees.
Pear trees are particularly tall and thin, like a champagne flute, reaching a mature height of around 20 feet. Even while it takes longer for standard trees to bear fruit, once they do, they produce more of it. All the fruit on your tree will require either a ladder or a fruit picker.
For those who live in areas with severe winters, where the grafted rootstock of smaller fruit trees may not be able to withstand the cold, pruning a conventional tree to a more manageable size is another option. Take into account the potential size of your fruit plants. Most homeowners prefer dwarf or semi-dwarf trees for their gardens. These trees will mature at a smaller size than typical varieties and yield fruit earlier.
On average, four semi-dwarf fruit trees can be grown in the same area as one regular tree. Size at maturity can vary widely depending on the type of fruit you’re growing, but generally speaking, you can plan on your tree to be as wide as it is tall.
The process of choosing fruit trees may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. To help you narrow down your options, here are five factors to think about.
Variety
Eat what you’ve grown. Unlike trying out a new vegetable garden, a fruit tree will be there for you for years, if not decades, after you plant it. You don’t want to be trapped with a bunch of fruit you don’t like because the tree grew too big. Choose a pollinator kind that you will enjoy growing if you must have one. There are numerous fruit trees available that can serve as pollinators, giving you a multitude of options!
Pollinators Needed
Think about the necessary pollinators, and no, I’m not talking about bees. In order to bear fruit, many species of fruit trees require the presence of a second tree to act as a pollinator. Some fruit trees can only produce fruit when pollinated by another species. Tart cherries and stone fruits are generally self-fertile, while sweet cherries and fruits with a central core usually need a separate pollinator.
Planting Your Fruit Tree
We hope you’ve found the ideal fruit tree, and now we can talk about planting it.
You should first decide where in your yard you want to put the tree. Most typical fruit trees want as much sunlight as possible, so think about where you’ll be planting it in relation to the sun’s path through the day. You should also think about a spot that provides shelter from the wind and snow for the tree.
Consider the surrounding vegetation as well, including trees and flowers. Keep a safe distance from fruit trees since they will steal nutrients from nearby plants if given the chance. Be sure that the soil in that area is able to drain well, and if it is clay-heavy or otherwise difficult to work, you might want to consider adding some compost to it.
When you’ve found the ideal site, dig a hole there to plant your fruit tree. Make sure it’s at least twice as wide as your tree’s roots. It’s important to plant trees correctly, so dig a hole just deep enough so that the graft at the trunk’s base isn’t buried.
If you want to plant more than one fruit tree in close proximity to one another in your yard, give each one at least 18 inches of distance.
Some fruit trees, especially those in poor soil, benefit from having organic nutrients added to the hole before the tree is planted. If you want to know what is best for the tree you have, visit a garden centre.
When planting the tree, place the root ball on a mound of earth that is about the width of a finger. The graft at the base should then be above ground. Thus, the roots should be allowed to expand out. When backfilling the hole, take care not to expose any roots.
If you live in an area that experiences a lot of wind, staking the tree can help ensure that it stays planted in the ground and maintains its upright position. Fasten it on a sturdy stick with some fabric.
After that is done, mulch the tree with organic material to keep it healthy. This will serve to shield the sapling’s roots and aid in water retention.
Finally, if deer or other wildlife are a problem in your region, you may wish to enclose the tree in a tiny fence to protect it.
Pruning And Thinning Tips
- Pruning fruit trees aggressively is recommended. If you do this every year, your plant will thrive and produce more fruit.
- The general form of the tree will be established by pruning in the first year.
- In order to ensure proper growth, a fruit tree should be cut to a height of 4-6 feet after planting.
- Remove any branches that are pointing inward.
- Eliminate any forks in the tree’s branches.
- Remove dead or diseased branches.
- Toss your “suckers” aside. These are new growth spurts emerging from the base of the bud union. Repeat this procedure once a year until the tree is mature enough that suckering is minimal.
- Spread fruit out. Leaving too many fruits on the tree causes them to shrink and makes for a more difficult ripening process. In the first year, you should space the fruits approximately 8 inches apart and then continue to thin the crop the following years.
- You should keep trimming for shape as the tree gets older.
- Do not remove the central leader from your apple, pear, or cherry tree. Imagine a sturdy evergreen decorated for the holidays.
- A vase can be made out of a peach, nectarine, plum, or apricot. Not one person in charge. Every major limb extends upward.
- Keep in mind that fruit trees are notoriously difficult to over-prune.
Conclusion
Planting fruit trees in your yard can add aesthetic value and a sense of connection to nature to your outdoor space. This tutorial will guide you through the necessary procedures to plant and care for fruit trees, whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out.
The benefits of growing fruit bearing trees include free food, healthier, increased property value, reduced carbon footprint, and protection for local wildlife. Fruits and vegetables lose nutritional value and flavor over time, so eating fruit right off the tree is the best way to ensure you get the most nutrients. Additionally, using natural, organic pest control methods can help reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and contribute to global warming.
Choosing the right fruit trees depends on the potential size of your plants. Most homeowners prefer dwarf or semi-dwarf trees, which mature at a smaller size and bear fruit earlier. Standard trees are the largest fruit trees and can reach heights and widths of over 25 feet due to their individual rootstocks. Pear trees are particularly tall and thin, reaching a mature height of around 20 feet. For those living in areas with severe winters, pruning a conventional tree to a more manageable size is another option.
Pruning fruit trees aggressively every year is recommended to ensure proper growth and fruit production. Cut the tree to a height of 4-6 feet, remove branches pointing inward, eliminate forks, remove dead or diseased branches, and discard “suckers” once a year. Space the fruits 8 inches apart in the first year and thin the crop as the tree grows older.
Keep trimming for shape as the tree gets older and avoid removing the central leader from your fruit tree. Consider using a vase made of different fruits to create a sturdy evergreen.
In summary, planting fruit trees in your yard offers numerous benefits, including free food, health benefits, reduced carbon footprint, and protection for local wildlife. By choosing the right fruit trees, you can enjoy the benefits of your labor and contribute to a healthier outdoor space.
Content Summary:
- Planting fruit trees in your yard is a great way to add both aesthetic value and a sense of connection to nature to your outdoor space.
- This tutorial will walk you through the necessary procedures to plant and care for fruit trees, whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out.
- Follow along as we go over the steps necessary to establish a productive orchard in your own yard so you may enjoy the results of your labour.
- One of the most obvious advantages of cultivating trees in one’s own yard is the high volume of delectable produce that can be obtained totally free of charge.
- Having a reliable source of fresh fruit allows you to save money, especially if that fruit is organic.
- You can also avoid covering your produce with pesticides by using natural, organic pest control methods when you cultivate your own fruit.
- Unlike a lot of stored fruit and vegetables, these will not have preservatives or waxes applied to them to increase their shelf life.
- However, fruit trees are highly prized due to the abundance of free food they produce.
- It has been shown that planting a tree on the property today can result in a nice financial return when the time comes to sell the house.
- However, that’s not the only way apple trees help the environment.
- Transporting fruit from around the world uses a lot of energy and fuel, which contributes significantly to global warming.
- You can count on swarms of bees and butterflies to visit your tree when its colourful flowers emerge for the season in the spring and summer.
- Furthermore, if you have a food garden that requires pollination, a large blossoming tree serves as a neon sign welcoming bees to your yard.
- Take into account the potential size of your fruit plants.
- The next level up is semi-dwarf trees, which reach a height of 12-15 feet.
- Compared to a dwarf tree, a semi-dwarf tree can yield nearly twice as much fruit in the same amount of space.
- Standard trees are the only fruit trees that are not grafted, and they are also the largest of the fruit trees.
- All the fruit on your tree will require either a ladder or a fruit picker.
- Take into account the potential size of your fruit plants.
- Most homeowners prefer dwarf or semi-dwarf trees for their gardens.
- On average, four semi-dwarf fruit trees can be grown in the same area as one regular tree.
- Size at maturity can vary widely depending on the type of fruit you’re growing, but generally speaking, you can plan on your tree to be as wide as it is tall.
- To help you narrow down your options, here are five factors to think about.
- Choose a pollinator kind that you will enjoy growing if you must have one.
- Think about the necessary pollinators, and no, I’m not talking about bees.
- In order to bear fruit, many species of fruit trees require the presence of a second tree to act as a pollinator.
- We hope you’ve found the ideal fruit tree, and now we can talk about planting it.
- You should first decide where in your yard you want to put the tree.
- When you’ve found the ideal site, dig a hole there to plant your fruit tree.
- Make sure it’s at least twice as wide as your tree’s roots.
- The graft at the base should then be above ground.
- If you live in an area that experiences a lot of wind, staking the tree can help ensure that it stays planted in the ground and maintains its upright position.
- Fasten it on a sturdy stick with some fabric.
- After that is done, mulch the tree with organic material to keep it healthy.
- This will serve to shield the sapling’s roots and aid in water retention.
- The general form of the tree will be established by pruning in the first year.
- In order to ensure proper growth, a fruit tree should be cut to a height of 4-6 feet after planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is The Best Time To Plant Fruit Trees In My Garden?
The ideal time to plant fruit trees is in late winter or early spring, when the trees are dormant, just before they start to leaf out.
How Do I Choose The Right Fruit Tree Varieties For My Garden?
Consider your climate, local weather conditions, and available space. Consult with your local nursery or extension service for recommendations on fruit tree varieties that thrive in your area.
Do Fruit Trees Require A Lot Of Care And Attention?
Fruit trees do require regular care, including pruning, fertilizing, and pest management. However, with proper planning and maintenance, you can minimize the time and effort needed.
What Should I Do To Improve The Soil In My Garden For Fruit Trees?
Conduct a soil test to determine the pH and nutrient levels, and amend the soil as needed to create a well-draining, fertile environment for your fruit trees.
How Far Apart Should I Plant My Fruit Trees?
The spacing between fruit trees depends on the variety and rootstock. Generally, standard-sized trees should be planted 20-25 feet apart, while dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties can be spaced closer, around 10-15 feet.
