Fruit trees are surprisingly easy to grow in a yard, and they produce value for years with wonderful spring blooms and abundant fruit. Apple, peach, plum, and pear trees all develop well in a variety of climates. When making your choice, ask the nursery for confirmation that the fruit tree on which you are oriented is compatible with the environment that will be its home. Start with step 1 and read on to learn how to plant fruit trees that will thrive for years to come.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Tree and a Place to Plant
Step 1. Purchase a bare root fruit tree
Sweet apples, plums, pears and other fruits come from trees that have been grafted so that they produce the best tasting fruit. Although fruit trees can be planted from seeds, the resulting trees don't necessarily produce fruit that is good to eat. In order to make sure that the tree you want to grow produces fruit that is good to eat, the best idea is to buy a tree with a bare root, that is, a very young tree that has already been grafted.
- You can find bare root stumps in nurseries in the late winter months.
- Buying bare root stumps from a local nursery is your best bet, as this will stock up on trees that should grow well in your particular area.
- Bare root trees should be planted as soon as possible right after purchase.
Step 2. Look for an open, sunny spot in the yard
Fruit trees typically need at least 6 hours of full sun to grow strong and produce healthy fruit. Look for a spot in the yard where it doesn't get the shade of your home or other taller trees. You should also look for a place without many other weeds nearby, to avoid the tree having to compete with other plants for water and other nutrients.
You should also try to choose the location by imagining the tree in its full size. Take into account its width and take into account that its roots will develop as long as the length of the branches. This means that the location shouldn't be too close to a building or driveway
Step 3. Check the drainage in the area you intend to plant
In addition to full sun, adequate soil drainage is the other essential condition for fruit trees to thrive. The soil doesn't have to hold much water, or this will cause tree roots to rot. Check the drainage of the soil by digging a hole 30 centimeters deep and filling it with water. If the water drains quickly, the area should be fine for planting a fruit tree. If the water remains in the hole, pick a spot in another part of the yard.
If the soil in your garden contains heavy clay, which can make drainage difficult, you still have a chance. You can plant your tree in a raised bed or loosen the soil and mix it with compost to loosen it for better drainage
Part 2 of 3: Dig a Hole and Prepare the Ground
Step 1. Prepare to plant in the spring
Fruit trees can be planted at any time of the year, but in areas with cold winters, your best bet is to wait until spring. This will allow the tree to immediately start adapting to the soil and forming roots. It is also the best time of the year to clear the earth, as the soil will be ice-free and easy to dig.
Step 2. Add compost to the soil as needed
If you have soil that contains heavy clay, or hard, firm soil, it is a good idea to loosen it to a depth of at least 60cm and mix in some compost. This will loosen the soil, provide better drainage, and make it easier for the tree's roots to grow. Use a garden spade or rotary tiller to break up and loosen the soil, then add the compost and mix it with the soil.
Step 3. Dig a large hole
Use a shovel to dig a hole twice the size of the roots of the tree you want to plant. The roots of fruit trees tend to grow outward, which will give them a lot of space. Make sure the roots are not surrounded by overly compacted soil so that they are free to grow.
- At the same time, it is important not to dig a hole that is too deep. Since you are working with a grafted plant with bare root, it is important that the graft at the base of the tree stays above the ground.
- If you are planting more than one tree, keep them 45cm apart. Better to provide as much space as possible.
Step 4. Follow the instructions for amending the soil during the process of planting fruit trees
Depending on the type of tree you are planting and the quality of the soil, it is advisable to add the organic nutrients to the hole you dug before planting. In some cases, all that is needed is a layer of compost at the base.
- Check with the nursery the conditions regarding soil amendment and what is recommended. In some cases you don't even have to modify the soil, because the existing one contains enough nutrients.
- Don't add compost and other nutrients unless recommended. Once the roots grow at the expense of the modified soil, they will need to be able to survive on the naturally available nutrients; therefore, giving fruit plants very rich soil in the beginning will be of little use in the long run.
Step 5. Place the tree in the hole
Throw some soil into the hole to finger depth to create a mound on which to lay the root ball of your fruit tree. Spread out the roots and make sure the graft point at the base of the trunk remains above ground level. Add or remove soil from the mound and adjust accordingly. Make sure no root parts remain exposed.
If there are roots at or above the graft, remove them and double check that the graft stays above the ground. If the roots are able to reach the soil from the graft, the tree will always form suckers which will grow from the base weakening it
Step 6. Press the soil around the roots
Fill the hole surrounding your tree's roots with nutrient-enriched soil and make sure they are covered completely. Stand back and check that the tree remains upright. Gently press the soil.
Step 7. Water the roots
Water the area thoroughly so that the soil settles around the tree roots. Add more soil, gently press down and water again. Continue this process until the earth in the hole actually reaches ground level.
However, be sure not to overwater the tree; if the roots remain soaked, they can rot
Step 8. Stake your fruit tree if necessary
If you live in an area with strong winds, stake it and tie it to a sturdy stick with a long enough strip of cloth or rubber. Make sure it's not too tight to prevent it from harnessing the tree as the trunk grows. Stake also to help the tree grow straight and tall.
Step 9. Cover the hole area with a layer of organic mulch
This will retain moisture in the soil and protect the roots. It prevents grass and weeds from growing and competing with the tree for nutrients and water. Make sure the graft point is not covered by mulch; it must remain visible above ground level.
Step 10. Protect the tree from animals
If there are deer or other animals in your area that like to snoop on young trees, you may need to put a fence around the tree. You can cut about 1m of wire mesh or similar material. Wrap it to create a sort of circle and place it on the tree, securing it with a stake. Make sure the fence completely covers the tree.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for a Fruit Tree
Step 1. Decide whether to prune
If you want the tree to produce fruiting branches low to the ground, you can prune at knee height and shorten the side branches leaving a bud or two. This will direct the tree's energy to produce low branches at the height of the cuts you made. Or, you can cut off the lower branches if you prefer the tree not to have low branches at ground level.
Step 2. Protect the tree from sunburn
Many fruit growers use a diluted solution with half white latex paint, and half water to paint the tree trunk to act as a sunscreen. If you live in a region with very strong sunshine, such as southern Italy or the southwestern United States, using this method will protect your tree from sun damage.
Step 3. Check for weeds
It is important to remove weeds from the area around the tree as they grow to protect the roots and help the tree develop strong and healthy. Pull weeds out with your hands, rather than using a herbicide.
Step 4. Do not overwater
Keeping the soil consistently moist isn't necessary, and can lead to root rot. Let the rain water your tree. If it's been a week without new rain, water it abundantly, then let it dry again.
