GET TO KNOW FRUIT TREES

Fruit trees are a wonderful addition to any garden or landscaped area. Not only do they provide shade and beauty, but you get the added benefits of pleasing scents and delicious fruit that you grew yourself.

Curious about how to get started? Are fruit trees difficult? When is the best time to plant? What will you need? In this guide we will endeavor to answer all of your questions as quickly and completely as possible.

WHEN ARE THE BEST TIMES TO PLANT:

• BARE ROOT: From November through February, bare root trees are dormant, this is the optimal time for planting. Be aware DO NOT plant when the ground is frozen.

• POT GROWN: These trees can be safely planted from September through early May. If you do plant during the winter though, be sure to wait for a milder period and avoid freezing at all costs.

WHEN NOT  TO PLANT: As a rule, never plant fruit trees in the summer. This is when fruit trees do their fastest growing, (mid-May to August). Planting in summer cuts down or interrupts proper growing cycles.

Now that you've got the timing right and know a bit more about successful positioning of your fruit trees, let's dig into the actual planting process.

GET PLANTING:

Here's a step by step guide to doing your actual planting.

1. Dig a hole: The hole should be twice the width of your tree and twice the depth of the root ball.
2. Place soil amendment in bottom of hole.
3. Your graft should be 2 to 3 inches above ground level.
4. Make sure your graft is straight up and down.
5. Place soil around root ball making sure not to leave any air pockets.
6. Once your tree is set, prune (if it hasn't been pre-pruned) and water well.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• WATERING: Once a week is a good rule. Water your tree until the soil becomes moist to a depth of 3 to 4 feet.
• FERTILIZING: Fertilize your fruit tree once a year in the spring, prior to the tree putting on new growth. Spread your fertilizer approximately 2 feet from the tree in a circle. Water immediately after fertilizing. For best results use one 10 pound bag of 10-10-10 fertilizer for the first year and add one 10 pound bag to that for every year of growth.
• WEEDS & PESTS: Keep your fruit tree free of weeds. Not only do weeds steal nutrients from your tree but they harbor pests that can harm your tree.
• PICK UP FALLEN FRUIT: When your tree begins to fruit, don?t let fallen fruit accumulate around the base of the tree. This is a direct invitation to pests and disease.

ITEMS YOU MAY NEED: 

FERTILIZER

SHOVEL

PRUNING SHEARS

GARDEN HOSE

So you see, planting your own fruit trees is no mystery. This project should be a fun and dare I say it? fruitful experience. Just a few tools, some time, effort, sun and water and you will be luxuriating beneath your own beautiful trees enjoying their delicious fruit.