Planting fruit trees is an excellent way to add character to your garden or yard, while also reaping the benefit of fresh fruit being available in your backyard throughout peak harvesting months.
Fruit trees are a great choice for those looking to add long term additions to their yard or garden because they grow slowly and will last for years. Ready to discover how to plant fruit trees? Read our guide below to get started.
Select Your Type of Fruit Tree
Choosing the right type of fruit tree for your space is important, as each type may require different care and thrive in a different environment. When choosing a tree, consider:
- The climate and seasons where you live.
- The size of your space and how much room there is for the tree to grow.
- Your preferences when it comes to fruit flavors and textures, as well as any allergies or other health concerns that may be affected by them (for example, apples contain salicylates, which can trigger rashes in some people).
Depending on your area and preferences, your decision may include orange trees, apple trees, peach trees, and more.
Prepare the Area for Planting
In order to prepare your yard for fruit trees, it is necessary to clear out weeds, rocks, and debris from the planting area. If you plant in your yard, rake back grass and rough up the soil so it is loose and easy for water to penetrate.
Add compost to improve drainage by adding organic matter that will act as a sponge for excess moisture when it rains.
Fruit trees will need to be fertilized with a slow-release fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilize once every four years at 1 pound per inch diameter of the tree’s trunk when measured at 4 inches above ground level.
Slow-release fertilizers last longer than fast-acting ones because they are absorbed into tree roots over time rather than being immediately absorbed by leaves.
Dig a Hole for Planting
Before planting the tree, however, it’s important that you dig a wide hole that is an inch or so deeper than the pot your tree came in.
A good rule of thumb for digging holes for trees is two times as wide as the rootball (the ball of roots at the bottom) and deep enough so that when planted with soil covering its roots it has room to spread out without being crowded by other plants.
Prepare the Tree for Planting
First, remove your tree from its pot. A sharp spade is the best tool for this job, as it can cut through the soil and roots with ease. You’ll want to dig around the roots so that they are partially exposed when you remove the pot.
Next, use a trowel or shovel to loosen up any soil around where your tree was growing in its pot. This will help loosen up any roots that might have grown onto one another during this time period.
Add Soil and Compost to the Planting Area
Rich soil and compost should be added to the planting area of the tree. A half and half mixture of soil and compost will provide all of the necessary nutrients for a fruit tree to thrive.
Add soil and compost before planting the tree, and after planting the tree in order to secure it into place. The mixture should be firmly packed to hold the tree into place while also allowing room for the roots to breathe and for water to reach the roots.
Water the Fruit Tree
Watering the soil around the roots is important because it will help them settle as they take root in new soil.
As your tree becomes rooted into the ground, it must be watered on a regular basis. Once the tree is established, it will need to be watered less often.
It’s also important not to overwater your fruit trees because too much moisture can lead to fungal diseases such as anthracnose and scab. Similarly, if there’s not enough moisture, plants may become stressed out and lose some of their leaves prematurely–or even die altogether!
Prune Dead or Broken Branches
Pruning is important for both fruit quality and tree health. By removing branches that are dead or broken, you can improve the shape of your tree, making it more efficient at producing fruit. You may also want to prune some branches and leave others; this will ensure that there are plenty of healthy leaves on which your fruit trees can grow.
You can also prune trees to improve fruit quality by thinning out excess fruits so that each one has enough space to develop well. This helps prevent over-ripening, which reduces the quality of your harvest.
How to Plant a Fruit Tree: Final Thoughts
Planting fruit trees is rather simple, but remember that fruit trees need an average of six hours of direct sunlight per day, so select a spot where they’ll get plenty of sun. In addition to getting enough light, fruit trees also need well-drained soil and regular watering during drought periods.
As a result, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh, organic fruit straight from your backyard! As you reap the benefits of your fruit trees along with other produce, download the Lil’ Broc app to track and monitor the freshness of your produce.