There’s nothing like growing and picking your own fresh fruit straight from your garden. It’s nutritious and delicious and it saves money on food bills, too.
Fruit trees are also great for bringing communities together. Nothing makes your neighbours happier than giving them some fresh produce. And it’s great to swap/sell it within your community. If your tree branches overhang public land, everyone in the community will be able to share in the harvesting of accessible fruits.
If you don’t have a yard to plant your fruit tree, why not try a pot? Many tree species grow well in smaller spaces, so they’re perfect for balconies and decks.
Did you know that some fruit trees can live to be 100 years old? A single dwarf apple tree can produce over 500 apples in one season. Just imagine how much more a full-sized tree could produce, not to mention all the beautiful blossoms in the spring. You would make some bees very happy… and the birds, too. They love everything - apples, peaches, plums, cherries, and pears.
“For small backyards, and even in a balcony, you can grow fruit trees in pots. They make ideal specimens to harvest your fruit, bring into your house and enjoy at the end of a hard-earned day.”
John Siemon, Director Horticulture, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Planting tips
Here’s a tip, if you want to attract nature and have some fruit to yourself, plant two trees. Net one for yourself and leave the other for mother nature to enjoy. Everybody wins!
Fruit trees require a lot of attention to grow well. They need a lot of TLC, especially when they’re saplings. Here are some things to think about:
- Water will be needed until established and in times of drought. Fruit trees particularly need a regular year-round watering schedule when they are saplings
- Need partial to full sun
- Be aware of the soil type, drainage, and pH
- Prune your tree regularly to prevent overcrowding and to enable the plant to put more energy into producing fruit rather than branches
- Train your fruit tree’s branches to spread in different directions for more room to grow and to encourage fruit bearing. Do so by tying the branches together to train it to grow how you want to
- Less is more. Strategically removing some of the fruit while it is still small, or “thinning” the tree puts its energy into increasing the quality of the remaining fruit. Some trees, such as apricot trees, will drop fruit before being fully developed if not thinned
- Fertilise at appropriate times - this will differ between varieties, so do some research or ask someone experienced for help
- Clean up any over-ripe or rotting fruit at the end of the growing season to avoid pests and disease.
