Taking the First Step Toward Enjoying a Perennial Harvest in Your Own Back Yard
Do you love the taste of an apple fresh off the tree on a crisp fall day? Have you often dreamt of having a few trees of your own, where you can enjoy the perennial produce of pies, cobblers and even apple cider? Does the idea of planting, tending and nurturing your own fruit trees seem a bit intimidating, maybe something you need to leave to the experts? Not necessarily. You can successfully grow your own fruit. Here are some simple tips for creating your own mini-orchard.
Tip #1—Know What Types of Fruit Grow Well Where You Live
A number of environmental factors should be considered when selecting the type of fruit tree to plant:
- The climate where you live—Different fruit trees have different levels of “hardiness.” Some may not survive extremely cold temperatures and others actually require a minimum period of “dormancy,” typically brought about by cold weather. Identify your “hardiness zone” and make certain the trees that you choose will thrive where you live.
- The soil where you will plant the trees—Some fruit trees require well-draining soil while others do well in soil that retains a lot of moisture. The pH in your soil will also play a significant role in how well your trees produce.
- How much room do you have?—Some fruit trees require a lot of space and others can be grown close to each other
Tip #2—Plant a healthy tree
You’ll likely have more success if you purchase your fruit trees from a local nursery, which will allow you to examine the trees before you purchase them. Here’s what you want to consider:
- What does the tree look like?—Is it sturdy, with a straight trunk and healthy branches on all sides?
- What does the root ball look like?—Avoid trees that are “root-bound,” where the root ball is a jumbled mess of tendrils
- Are the indications of damage or disease?—Do you see evidence of pests or disease, such as mold or wilted or discolored leaves?
Tip #3—Choose the right species
There are many varieties from which to choose:
- Some types of fruit trees have been bred to be disease resistant, which may be desirable if you live in a location where disease is prevalent
- Some types of fruit trees are self-pollinating, where as others require a pollinator. That will determine whether you can plant two or more of the same type of tree or must plant compatible varieties.
