Topic: advise needed

[windygale]

Hi ALL, i want to grow some fruit trees on my allotment, BUT as you guessed i can't  (not allowed) to grow them on there,
So i was thinking if i grow them in some waterbutts cut in half would they be ok,
if i put gravel in the bottom and drill weep holes, with a compost mix of compost and home made compost will that be ok,
i'll grow them like fans or cordons shape,
any help please ??? ::)

[star]

Why not? peeps do grow fruit trees in big tubs, they just need more TLC then those grown in the ground.

[Chrissie]

Have you checked the exact terms of your agreement? On our site we're specifically forbidden to grow "standard or half-standard trees" but someone's just got away with planting some lovely cordons on a frame as they won't grow much taller than they are now and won't spread sideways to cast shade. No worse than a large gooseberry or blackcurrant bush really.

Depends entirely on the rules though - if they say "no top fruit" you'll have to use tubs. Should be fine but will be more trouble as Star says.

Good luck!

[Suzanne]

You could also try step over trees.

[tim]

Snap - was just doing their photo!

[kt.]

You could always grow dwarf fruit trees in containers.  Then if you could move them around to suit,  or take them home to your own garden at a later date if so wished.  I have a dwarf cherry tree and dwarf pear tree from Bakkers.  Both only grow 4-6ft.

http://www.bakker.co.uk/index.aspx?Ntt=dwarf+fruit+tree&Ntk=NL&Ntx=mode+matchallany&Nty=1&N=0&D=dwarf+fruit+tree

[windygale]

thanks guys ;D thats just what i want,

dwarf sort - apple, pears, and plums,

as for rules, no planting of trees,, anysort,,, so if i put them in pots as i said i can move them ;D ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you can't grow standards or half standards, grow bush trees! You have to get a bit inventive with these silly rules sometimes.

[George the Pigman]

The rules on fruit trees are usually quite variable. There are a number of fruit trees on our plot and no-one bothers even though "permanent fruit" is banned (what is permanent??). Worth having a quiet word with your allotment secretary.
Usually the put this rule in so you can't claim compensation for the tree if you are kicked off the plot or the Council want to buy it up and sell the plot to Tesco!!

[bionear2]

This summer we stayed in a B&B, where there was a whole orchard of "Ballerina" fruit trees growing in various large containers, on slabs.

They averaged 4 years old,and we were astonished by the amount of fruit on them, for single cordon trees.

[littlebabybird]

hi, our council rules state no trees,
i phoned them and now have a letter from them,
I'm going to put in  a ballerina tree orchard :)
just have to save up now :)

lbb