Hello there everyone, I have managed to get a patch ... at last!!! Being new to this I was wondering about planting fruit trees and what types are best for a hard soil as after doing a soil test there seems to be a lot of clay. Is it okay to plant them at this time of year and any ideas on where to get some reasonably priced ones?? Any advice/ tips/ comments welcome. DDD ;)
I recommend Blackmoors. I bought a Damson and it arrived in good condition and is doing well. Not sure if they're the cheapest but the service was good. I got an email to tell me when my tree was on the way. They send them at the correct planting time usually October to March it will say on the website.
I plant 'bare rooted' fruit trees in winter or early spring, as long as the ground isn't too frozen. In theory, you can plant a fruit tree in a pot at any time, autumn is a good time for those too.
I wait until the cheap fruit trees come into stock at Lidl in March , they are very cheap (£3.99) and have done very well on my plot. I pruned mine as cordons and made a decorative screen. If you want more unusual (and expensive) types, Deacons are very good and offer trees grown on several different rootstocks, so you can pick a size of tree to suit the space.
http://www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk/
As far as clay soil goes, a bit of slow release bonemeal dug in, and a mulch of some kind to retain moisture is good. Saint Bob (Flowerdew) advises against 'overimproving' holes for trees, and suggests that keeping the area around newly planted trees free from competing weeds and well watered for at least the first year are the most important factors for success. ;D
hiya, ding dang doo, welcome to the site ;D
peter kay fan ?
some of the nurseries reduce their fruit trees in autumn, keep a look out.
you might be able to get rhubarb or strawberry runners off fellow plot holders :)
Quote from: Ding Dang Doo on September 09, 2008, 15:45:30
I was wondering about planting fruit trees
We are allowed to plant raspberry canes and strawberries etc but not trees. Check your contract first because most allotment sites do not allow you to plant trees. If you are allowed - get trees with a "M9 Rootstock". These will not grow overly large and not cover a huge amount of your plot, but will produce loads of fruit. They grow to an average of 7-8ft I believe.