Help with a new allotment and suppliers for fruit trees and strawberrie

[Jitterbug]

Hi there

Yippee - I have been told that I should be getting my allottment (half a plot) in 4 weeks time in the Roeshot allotments.  I am therefore starting to plan the layout of my allotment and I want to have a small orchard on the one end of it. I am also posting this mail on the edible plants section to get the maximum coverage. 

I want to purchase an apple, peach, plum and apricot tree.  I would like some information on the following :

1.  Which is the best kinds for the south west area and what size - I was thinking the M25 root stock?  What do the professionals think - any ideas?

2.  Any specific tips on preparing the ground for the orchard.  I want to companion plant as much as possible and be organic?

3.  I also want a strawberry patch - which are the best kinds or should I have a couple of each variety ripening at various intervals.  I have read that strawberries are good companion plants for beans - but if you are using a rotation every year how do you keep the strawberries near the beans - the only way I can think of is a movable container with them in?  Any ideas would be appreciated. 

4.  Who are the best suppliers to order from?

Any help and ideas would be wonderful - maybe a copy of someone's allotment plan would help to give me ideas??

Kind regards

Jitterbug

[Jitterbug]

[jennym]

There are some answers posted in the same thread in Edibles section Jittterbug  :)

[Jitterbug]

Thanks Jenny M - also found an earlier posting that said the WIKI had some articles.  Have printed them off and have some good bedtime reading.

Thanks

Jitterbug

[Robert_Brenchley]

The M25 is a motorway, not a rootstock! You need different rootstocks for different fruit; what size trees do you want?