Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
|
|
Soil
Average, well drained soil. Match your choice of tree fruits to local climate and soil conditions.
|
Position
Sun or partial afternoon shade.
|
Frost tolerant
All are winter hardy, but cold tolerance and chilling requirements vary with species. Choose regionally-adapted tree fruits, for example cherries in the north or peaches in the south.
|
Feeding
In early spring, mulch over root zone with 1 to 2 inches of good compost. Mulch with grass clippings or straw.
|
Companions
-
|
Spacing
Single Plants: 9' 10" (3.00m) each way (minimum)
Rows: 9' 10" (3.00m) with 9' 10" (3.00m) row gap (minimum)
|
Sow and Plant
Purchase dormant plants and set them out in early spring. Water thoroughly and mulch after planting new fruits.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
|
Notes
Obtain local expertise before choosing which fruits to grow. University-based breeding programs have developed many great-tasting, disease-resistant varieties. Thin out fruit four weeks after the tree has blossomed and prune the tree in late fall. You can add a variety of this tree to label what it is and specify spacing or planting times.
|
Harvesting
Let experience be your teacher -- taste fruits often as they approach ripeness. Bumper crops can be frozen, dried, or made into jams and jellies.
|
Troubleshooting
Protect the trunks of young trees from borers and sunscald with loose tree wrapping.
|