Fruit Trees

Planning

Contrary to what many people think, you don't need a ton of room in your yardto grow fruit. 1/4 of an acre is sufficient. Beginning planning by determining the types of fruits you want to growand the amount you want to harvest. Select trees that are adapted to your climate and purchase only topquality trees. Remember, fruit trees require two or more full years until theirfirst harvest so plan ahead!

Planting

Plant your fruit trees in full sun and fertile soil in an area that is protected from high winds. Use natural means to protect your trees and fruit whenever possible. Good soil is the number one need and should supersede all other considerations. A main factor in selecting a soil area is its ability to drain water throughout the root system area. To determine soil drainage, dig a hole that is approximately 8 inches wide and 32 inches deep and fill it with 5 gallons of water. Let the soil absorb the water and then fill it again. If the hole is empty in 24 hours, the soil has good drainage. If it requires 48 hours to drain, the drainage is poor but adequate. If any water remains after 48 hours do not plant trees in that location. It is also very important to properly space your trees when planting, and different trees have different requirements.

Maintaining

Water your trees thoroughly, every two weeks. Full trees need soil that is moist 3-4 feet deep while dwarf trees need moist soil approximately 2 feet deep. Watch for unusual growth patterns as well as insects and disease and take care of arising problems immediately.

Harvesting

Harvesting is a very critical process because if the fruit is incorrectly picked or is picked at the wrong time, an excellent quality crop can be ruined. When harvesting, remove the fruit from the tree in a twisting and lifting motion so that the fruit is not bruised. Fruit such as apples and pears should be placed into a picking bag which is carried around the neck and or shoulders. This will leave your hands free to pick the fruit and carefully place it in the bag.