When To Plant Fruit Trees: A Guide For Beginners
Are there times when you imagine yourself munching on fresh fruit while relaxing under the shade of a tree? Growing a fruit tree in your backyard can be very fulfilling because you are not only helping the environment, but you are also providing yourself fresh fruit to enjoy. You also get to have a good amount of shade for your backyard. If you have a seed that you wish to grow but you do not know when to plant fruit trees, check the details that below.
Which Season Is Best To Plant Fruit Trees?
What time of the year is best to grow a fruit plant? It depends on the type of climate and the type of tree you have in your area. The rule of thumb is to plant fruit trees during early spring or late winter. Bare root fruit trees, and self and cross-pollinating fruit plants are ideal during this season.
Maybe you are thinking about growing a banana tree? That’s a lovely idea, but fruit trees like banana, papaya, and mango do very well in tropical climates. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and tangerines thrive in warm weather.
The best trees to plant during winter are plums, peaches, pears, crabapple, apple, and cherry. If you’re not growing them from seeds, your local nursery can sell them to you as bare root fruit trees. These are called bare root fruit trees because they are grown in a container and then transported to you. These will not have soil around their roots.
Self-pollinating fruits like apricots, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and pomegranate also work. Self-pollinating fruit trees are great because they do not need another tree to complete the pollination process. Cross-pollinating trees like apple, pears, and most nut trees need another tree for it to bear fruit (or nuts). If you buy them from your local garden market or nursery, they can come in small containers, ready to be transplanted.
Knowing the types of fruits and the right season when to plant fruit trees can help you yield more fruits.
Are You Ready To Plant Fruit Trees?
Planting your favorite fruit is an exciting adventure. Here are a few things to take note:
- Find the best location in your yard. You may need to find a spot that can ensure optimal growth while at the same time not towering over any other plants. Other plants may do well with a little bit of shade, while others need a good amount of sunlight. The best place for your future tree should also be deep enough for stronger roots to grow. Select a sunny location because fruit trees need at least eight hours of sunlight every day.
- Remember, some fruit seeds can’t grow very well in an open area. Some may need to be planted in small nursery pots before being transplanted.
- If you are planning to plant an already established potted tree, this is also a good idea. This saves you the amount of time for it to grow from a seed, and it gives you the advantage of estimating how much space you need when it gets bigger.
- The soil should be prepared and healthy enough for a tree. It should be twice as deep and twice as wide as the potted tree you are planning to nurture.
- Put in a layer of compost, so it has a healthy bed of earth to grab on to for nutrients.
- Check the fruit plant for broken roots. You need to remove them before planting.
- Plant the small fruit tree and add a small amount of water. Once the wet earth settles, you will then see if you need to add more soil.
- Remember to not over-water your fruit tree.
Bareroot Versus Potted Fruit Trees
Have you chosen a spot for your tree? If you’re not growing it from a seed, you can choose between purchasing a bare-root or potted tree.
Bareroot plants come to you ready for transplant without a ball of soil or container. These are easily lifted and transplanted during dormant seasons. These are cost-effective and grow faster compared to potted plants, but it does require careful handling when transporting because they are exposed to the elements.
Potted plants, on the other hand, are plants that have been raised in containers. These are usually preferred for planting as the roots are protected in a container, but they do cost more and can take up more space when transporting.
If you’re looking to start with fruit plants like these, you can talk to your local plant nursery expert to find out which tree is best for your lawn, climate, and personal taste.
How About Growing Fruits From Seeds?
Planting fruit trees straight from the seed is awesome, too. There are a lot of gardeners who are fond of growing fruit plants on their own and not rely on an established tree. Knowing how to care for these baby fruit plants and when to plant fruit trees, later on, can help you grow that green thumb.
- Place the fruit seeds you are planning to grow in a well-lit area but not under direct sunlight.
- Plant them in well-draining soil.
- It is recommended to prepare 33% compost and 66% regular soil.
- As it continues to grow, you need to water it often, but remember not to make it the earth too soggy.
- A good rule of thumb is to keep the soil moist but not wet. It might rot if it gets too wet.
- It’s better to use seeds from fresh fruit as they are more viable, and plant them in spring or early summer.
- For fruits like lemon and other citrus trees - you can plant at a few seeds at a time in case some seeds do not sprout.
- When the fruit seedling gets bigger, you need to transfer it into a larger pot with fresh earth.
- When you can see roots growing out of the drainage hole, it is time to transplant the seedling to a bigger pot.
Conclusion
Whether you are growing fruits from seeds, seedlings, or an established potted plant, it takes a lot of patience and time to see it grow and yield fruits. When you plant fruit trees, it is guaranteed that you’ll feel fulfilled knowing you’re taking care of a plant that will bear fruits for you to make into jam, jelly, syrup, and other delicious desserts.
Now, you know not only when to plant fruit trees but the basic requirements needed for optimal growth. And when it becomes a full-grown tree, you can show it off and tell all your friends how you made that happen. Know more about fruit trees.