Own orchard: Why planting is worthwhile



Compared to vegetables, fruit plants have the advantage that they do not have to be replanted every year. Over many years they bear fruit and provide thereby for rich harvest.

Plant an orchardAnyone who has ever had a fruit tree in their garden knows how easy and productive such plants can be to care for. This not only ensures their own supply, but also that of their neighbours. In addition, the plants are not only practical when it comes to harvesting, they also visually enhance the garden and provide a shady spot in summer.

Since fruit trees and shrubs are planted for many years, the garden should be designed with the exact location of the plant in mind. The size and space required must be adapted to the needs of the crop. Sunny, semi-shady or shady locations determine the later yield and growth of the respective variety.

The size of the garden and one’s own preference for certain fruit determine which and how many fruit plants can be planted.

Fruit growing in small gardens

Even people with small gardens or even just terraces do not have to do without the fruit plants. There are some fruit bushes that can be perfectly stored in tubs. These include currants and gooseberries. Also fruit trees can be realized on a small area.

Blackcurrant orchardFor this there are special breeding forms such as column fruit trees. These are adapted in their size and growth form to little place. Originally they were grown as Naschobst – because the fruit is easy to reach and therefore easy to harvest.

The care of the column fruit is not much more complex than also with other fruit trees. With potted plants, however, care must be taken to ensure a necessary water supply. Fertilization in spring and a topiary cut in summer should also be planned. In addition there are the column fruit trees also for the most diverse fruit kinds (more information in addition with Gartenbista).

The column fruit trees also have the advantage of finding their place in larger gardens. Here they usually appear in the form of a large fruit hedge as a garden divider or as a colourful mixed fruit supply as an eye-catcher.

Fruit growing in large gardens

The larger your own garden, the more design possibilities there are for planting your own fruit. From large orchards to theme gardens, there are no limits to the imagination.

Strawberries orchardWith sufficient space, the possibility of growing different types of fruit should be used. Different flowering and ripening periods then enable a high-yield harvest almost all year round. The first strawberries can already be harvested in May. The plants themselves should be planted at the latest in early autumn of the previous year.

You can harvest the aromatic red fruits until July. In June, gooseberries, early apricots and summer raspberries are added. The main berry season is in July and August. Raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries, currants and many other species give a rich harvest at this time.

Fruit harvest into the autumn

This is followed by stone fruit and pome fruit plants. Plums, cherries, apples, pears and apricots can be harvested until October, depending on the variety.

Apples store crateWhen harvesting, the shelf life of the respective fruit variety should also be taken into account. Apples and pears can be stored very well for several months. Only fruits that do not have any defects should be used for this, otherwise they rot quickly and the remaining fruits torch. They should be stored carefully in open boxes so that air can reach the fruit. The crates are best stored in a dark, cool cellar.

Other types of fruit such as berries, apricots or plums cannot be stored for long periods of time. Here the fruit can be directly processed or preserved. Classic preserving options are freezing berry fruit or boiling it down to jam or marmalade. However, the direct processing of the delicious fruits into cakes and desserts is particularly popular.

The selection of cultivable fruit for every hobby gardener is constantly growing. In addition to the classic fruit varieties, more and more exotic varieties from originally warmer climes are being found. This not only adds a touch of exoticism to the garden, but also adds many delicacies to the harvest.

Fruit highlights in the garden

pomegranate treeThe pomegranate tree is a garden highlight that not everyone has and that is also very healthy. It is considered to be very robust, but requires a lot of light and heat. Therefore, it must be kept in a bucket so that it can be brought in in winter.

Since the tree needs several years to bear sufficient fruit, a suitable transport device must be provided for the bucket. This means that trees up to five metres high can also be taken outside in summer. The red fruits are harvested between July and August. The appropriate care for pomegranate trees also ensures a healthy and long-lasting plant.

figWhat also not everyone has in his garden is an expansive fig tree. This can be firmly planted in the garden soil, but requires sufficient sunny space. Here, too, it takes several years until a larger harvest is expected.

The harvest time depends on the type of fig and the heat in summer. Some fig trees bear their fruit in July, September and October, others only in September and October. The warmer the summer, the earlier the sweet fruits ripen.

In the care this fruit is quite uncomplicated. Between March and September it is advisable to give the tree some fertilizer so that it can put more energy into its fruit. Otherwise it can be shaped by a light cut in spring. However, a radical cut should be avoided as this has a negative effect on the number of fruits.

Don Burke

I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide.  I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.

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