Plum Tree
When we moved we had six lovely fruit trees that were just about to produce their first harvest. We bought our trees from a local man who raised his own fruit trees and bushes and helped me to plant them in. I gave him a call and told him that we were moving and he came back and helped me to dig them out again. My husband thought that I was crazy, but our property was more than likely going to be flattened to make way for a modern concrete monstrosity and if permission was sought, another property would be proposed to be built on the garden as was the trend on the road on which we lived. I witnessed a beautiful cottage a few doors down, which had the most beautiful rose bushes in the garden, probably tended for 30 years plus, pulled down and replaced with a modern four bedroom, paved monstrosity. The only greenery sat in pots with a small highly landscaped 'garden' out the back. The infuriating thing was that I had asked the new owners for permission to remove the rose bushes as I didn't want them to be bulldozed, and I received a haughty 'No', as she and her friends were taking care of it. They never were and ended up being ripped up with the house.
And so, the mission to remove all the fruit bushes, trees and plants began. It was hard work, it was cold, but now I am glad we did it. We have 3 apples; one early, one mid, one late, 1 pear and 2 plums. First we had to dig around the fruit tress to loosen them and to try and remove them with as little root damage as possible. Once out we planted them back in again in groups of three covering them with soil and lightly pressing them in. This was to prevent the roots from drying out until they were ready to be planted in to their new home. Fruit trees and bushes are best planted in February and March before the beginning of spring.
And so, the mission to remove all the fruit bushes, trees and plants began. It was hard work, it was cold, but now I am glad we did it. We have 3 apples; one early, one mid, one late, 1 pear and 2 plums. First we had to dig around the fruit tress to loosen them and to try and remove them with as little root damage as possible. Once out we planted them back in again in groups of three covering them with soil and lightly pressing them in. This was to prevent the roots from drying out until they were ready to be planted in to their new home. Fruit trees and bushes are best planted in February and March before the beginning of spring.
How to prepare the ground for fruit trees
When you have selected the location for your tree, using a sharp spade, mark out the square/rectangle which you are going to dig out, then shave off the top layer of turf, using your spade in a horizontal manner in a quick cutting action. Put this turf to one side. Put the top soil (the soil you dig out first) to one side also as this is better quality than the sub soil and you want to cover your tree roots with this when you are ready to plant it in.
You need to dig a big hole, large enough to accomodate the roots of the tree comfortably. It needs to be approx. 18 inches deep. When your hole is big enough you need to put in approx. 2 buckets of manure/compost and then place your tree on top. Cover with the top soil first and any large clumps of soil that may be attached to the turf, depending on how well you manage to shave it off. Then gradually add all the other soil, leaving the sub soil to last. Give your tree a gentle pull to keep it straight whilst you use you foot to to press the soil firmly in around the tree. Know you need to prune your tree, removing approx. 10 inches from each growth/branch (about half of what there is). Water. Take care to keep the soil around the tree weed free. Keep it well watered in dry spells as the roots are not established enough to reach the deep, water resources yet. It may be a good idea to put a mulch around the base, to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
You need to dig a big hole, large enough to accomodate the roots of the tree comfortably. It needs to be approx. 18 inches deep. When your hole is big enough you need to put in approx. 2 buckets of manure/compost and then place your tree on top. Cover with the top soil first and any large clumps of soil that may be attached to the turf, depending on how well you manage to shave it off. Then gradually add all the other soil, leaving the sub soil to last. Give your tree a gentle pull to keep it straight whilst you use you foot to to press the soil firmly in around the tree. Know you need to prune your tree, removing approx. 10 inches from each growth/branch (about half of what there is). Water. Take care to keep the soil around the tree weed free. Keep it well watered in dry spells as the roots are not established enough to reach the deep, water resources yet. It may be a good idea to put a mulch around the base, to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
How to care for young fruit trees
Your fruit tree wants to be pruned in late summer/early autumn, then in the early spring add some manure/compost to the base of the tree. The hardest part of planting fruit trees
is that you have to pick the blossoms off for the first two years, allowing the tree to put its energy into growing, to ensure that you get good crops.
is that you have to pick the blossoms off for the first two years, allowing the tree to put its energy into growing, to ensure that you get good crops.
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