The New Year marks the season for planting bare root roses and fruit trees. What inspires you to add a fruit tree to your garden? Perhaps you have an excellent location for a tree, plus the need for a visual feature. Or, you have fond memories of fruit tree blossoms in the spring, and want to recreate the scene. Or, best of all, you would enjoy eating a favorite fruit from a tree in your own garden.<\/p>\n
These are all good reasons for visiting your local garden center to choose a bare root fruit tree for the New Year. Dwarf varieties are readily available, so just about all gardens will have enough space for a new tree.<\/p>\n
Preparations begin with site selection. As the first consideration, the site should have good exposure to sunlight, with eight hours per day being preferred.<\/p>\n
Also, consider the appearance of the tree as a feature in the landscape. Visualize it as a full-grown specimen from all angles to confirm that it will always be an asset and not obstruct a viewshed or a pathway.\u00a0 There should be easy access for cultivating and harvesting,<\/p>\n
When space is limited, consider an espaliered tree. A side yard with southern exposure could be a great location for an espaliered tree.<\/p>\n
The step is choosing the particular fruit for your garden, based on personal preferences. As with many other plants, the Monterey Bay area provides a fine climate for a wide range of fruit trees.<\/p>\n
A first priority should be to select a fruit that you will enjoy eating, but as with other garden choices, consider unfamiliar varieties that are not commonly available.<\/p>\n
An important issue is the tree\u2019s chill requirement, which is measured by the number of hours of temperatures below forty-five degrees. Apple and pear trees, for example, need more chill hours than peach trees, and fig trees require only a few hours. Garden centers will offer only trees that are suitable for growing in the local area, while mail order nurseries will list trees for all areas.<\/p>\n
For more information:<\/p>\n
Seminar: All About Fruit Trees, Saturday, February 16, 10:00 \u2013 11:00, Griggs Nursery, 9220 Carmel Valley Road.<\/p>\n
Short Course: From Planting to Harvest, February 8\u201310, UCSC Farm and Garden. For information, visit Brown Paper Tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n Book: Fruit Trees in Small Spaces: Abundant Harvests from Your Own Backyard, by Colby Eirman (Timber Press, 2012)<\/p>\n Garden Center. The McShane\u2019s Nursery<\/a> website offers a detailed list of available trees and other related information.<\/p>\n Non-profit Organization: The California Rare Fruit Growers<\/a> provides extensive advice on fruit tree selection and cultivation.<\/p>\n Planting a bare-root fruit tree would be a positive step into the New Year, and the beginning of years to enjoy future harvests in your garden.<\/p>\n More<\/p>\n For details on chill requirements for various fruit trees\u2026and much more\u2026visit the University of California website, The California Backyard Orchard.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The New Year marks the season for planting bare root roses and fruit trees. What inspires you to add a fruit tree to your garden? Perhaps you have an excellent location for a tree, plus the need for a visual … Continue reading