How to Plant Fruit Trees in Your Home Garden

A recent study found that 90 percent of Americans don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. What if you had some fruit right in your back yard? Would you eat more fruit?

The good news—you can grow fruit trees in your home garden. And, you don't need a large backyard or garden to make this happen. Keep reading to find out how to plant fruit trees in your home garden. 

Do Your Research

Before buying your trees, you need to do your research and find out what varieties do best in your area. Also, you don't want to go overboard—plant only what you can maintain.

 

You have to learn about chill hours, which is the term used for a tree's need for cool weather. It is typically counted under 45 degrees. It's important to know your climate, so you find a tree that has the proper range.

If you have a smaller garden, you will also need to look for self-fertile trees, so you don't need to have a variety for pollination.

As you do your research, know about disease resistance in each variety. It can help you select the right types of fruit trees.

Pick the Right Location

Next, you have to determine where to plant in your yard. Most fruit trees require full sun. This means they need about six to eight hours of sun a day. 

You will also need to make sure you have proper drainage. Fruit trees prefer well-draining soil and do not do well in water-saturated areas. This means you do not want to plant the trees in low spots.

Some of the best places to plant fruit trees include south-facing slopes and hilltops. 

 

 

How to Plant Fruit Trees

Now that you have the right tree and the right spot, it's time to plant your tree. You should plant your tree as soon as possible; it's best to plant it the day it is delivered.

Dig a hole that is twice as wide and as deep as the root ball. As you place the tree in the hole, loosen the roots. Add a water-holding basin around the tree to help retain water. 

Next, mulch the tree with some organic material, like pine straw, and give it a few inches to breathe around the trunk. Adding mulch against the trunk invites pests.

To give your tree a good start, you may want to stake the tree. This helps it get stable especially in windy climates. However, you do not want to leave stakes up too long because it could damage or even kill the tree.

Caring for Your Fruit Tree

Make sure you regularly replace the mulch each year to help retain moisture. Young trees need a lot of water for the first few years. You may need to water daily for the first few months. 

As the tree grows, you will need to increase the amount of water during each watering. You can look for irrigation systems or watering products to help keep your tree hydrated.

Trees also need fruit tree fertilizer to get specific nutrients. You may want to have a soil test and talk to a professional to get the right fertilizer to spread near your tree's roots during early spring or late winter. You can also use spikes that slowly release the fertilizer.

 

Get Your Garden Ready

Now that you know how to plant fruit trees, it's time to get your garden ready. If you are looking for help to get the proper irrigation for your new garden or lawn, contact us today. We are happy to answer all your questions about your watering needs.