Posts Tagged ‘fruit trees’
Almost monthly we find that we are being presented with a new diet or exercise plan created specially to make us alter our lifestyles.
It is true that we all need to reassess our current behaviour with a view to eating a great deal more vegetables and fresh fruit and increasing our daily exercise. One thing we may wish to think about is growing a few fruit trees in our yard. However, as most gardens are only rather small places, it is highly likely that you might be rather restricted in what is possible.
The largest number of us understand well that organic vegetables and fruit are incredibly better for us than the alternatives unfortunately the increased cost is commonly too much. We also know that the fresher the veg or fruit is the more vitamins and minerals it will have. By growing our very own fruit trees we are able to grow organic fruit at a vastly lower cost furthermore, because it can be harvested immediately before use, such fruit is also the freshest it can be.
The vast majority of us live in a city environment where it is common to have backyards which leave only a very small place in which to grow a garden. Such gardens are largely unsuitable for large mature trees which can cause a selection of problems. The roots can grow into foundations, branches can grow up against walls and windows and they also restrict the sunlight. The most obvious problem is that such a large item in a small yard will clearly look ridiculous.
Even in the smallest of yards something immensely wonderfull can be created. Professional landscaping contractors can create the most incredible plans but, with a little time and effort, it is possible to do this yourself. To do it correctly you will need to study a little to understand which are the best trees, shrubs and plants to use and the correct way to use them.
If you have a really small space the addition of a fruit tree will add interest and beauty. In the spring the tree will be smothered in sweet smelling, and gorgeous looking, blossom. By the time of fall the tree will be covered in ripe fruit ready for the picking. Even during the winter a fruit tree can still appear very interesting and such a tree can act as a focal point.
It is now possible to purchase dwarf fruit tree varieties, these are created by grafting the main stem of a fruit tree to carefully chosen dwarf root stock. Modern dwarf root stock, such as M9, is more reliable than older types of dwarf root stock. M9 root stock can cause a fruit tree to develop rather small but still able to produce an increased amount of fruit.
Modern compact fruit trees can be grown in small gardens as the dwarf variety produces a large amount of fruit from the smallest of bushes. A dwarf fruit tree will uncommonly be larger than 1.8m high but the growth rate can be reduced a little more by growing it in a container. By following a carefully planned pruning regime you can restrict the growth while retaining a aesthetic architecture.
Amongst the most useful of fruit trees for the gardener with only a little yard, is the spur apple tree. While the tree can still reach up to 1.8m high it has such an upright habit that it often looks rather strange covered in a multitude of ripened apples.
Besides as apple trees there are dwarf varieties of fruit tree such as pears, plums, figs, cherries, nectarines and various other alternatives.