Are you dreaming of those lazy summer days, lounging in your favorite lawn chair in the sun enjoying your fresh home-grown apples, peaches, and pears? If you live here in the Pacific Northwest, unfortunately you’re most likely to be looking at more rainy days until at least June. But don’t despair, for all of those mild, wet days are just perfect for one thing—planting fruit trees.
If you haven’t grown fruit trees before, there’s a lot to know, and it may be intimidating at first. Fruit trees do have very specific requirements, including proper pollination, insect and disease control, and some regular attention to pruning very specific to each type of tree. But if you follow these 7 simple basic steps, you’ll be well on your way to many fruit-filled days.
1) Select the Correct Variety for Your Geographic Area—Fruit trees have very specific heat and chilling requirements, and something that will do well in California might not do well here in western Washington. For example, Prunus persica ‘Frost’ (Frost peach) is one of the most reliable peaches for the wet Seattle area—peaches generally prefer hotter, dryer climates. This is where your local nurserymen (and women) can help you select the best varieties. Specialty nursery staff are much more knowledgeable than the big box stores.
2) Plant in the Dormant Season—In general, always try to plant when trees are not actively growing—preferably during mild, rainy seasons when the temperature is above freezing (winter and early spring in most places). This is the least stressful time for planting trees and shrubs, and it will give your plant adequate time to settle in and develop a healthy root system.
3) Choose the Right Location for Your Tree—Fruit trees require a lot of sun for good fruit production; six hours of sunlight a day is ideal. Make sure you have enough space for the size tree you have chosen. Trees can be small columnar varieties which will fit in a large pot, all the way up to trees 20 feet or more; make sure you have adequate space for the mature tree.
4) Select Insect and Disease-Resistant Varieties—Unfortunately, you may have to provide some insect and disease control for good fruit production, but you will be way ahead of the game if you select varieties that are most resistant to the insects and diseases in your area. Ask your nursery folk which plants require the least spraying, and which are resistant to the problems in your area. But also learn about preventing insect and disease problems, if necessary.
5) Make Sure You Have Good Pollination—While some fruit trees are self-fertile, most will require a second tree of another variety to pollinate your fruit tree to get good fruit production (unless you luck out and a neighbor has one nearby that is compatible). If you’re short on space, one nifty way to get around this is to purchase an all-in-one plant that has several fruit varieties grafted onto one rootstock; you’ll get your plant pollinated—plus the added bonus of several varieties of fruit in one tree. I recently planted an all-in-one cherry (pictured) with Van, Rainier, Stella, and Bing on one tree. Skye Nursery in Shoreline even has a “Fruit Cocktail” tree which has apricots, peaches, and plums all on one tree! (I’m intrigued, but haven’t tried it yet).
6) Properly Care for Your Fruit Trees From Planting to Harvest—At planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball; water the container—or soak the roots, if bare root; plant it, and water it in again; then water weekly during the drier months. Fertilize the tree a couple of times a year. Learn about pruning, and insect and disease control. Many nurseries have great free classes.
7) Learn How to Prune Your Tree—Every fruit tree is pruned a little differently, so take time to learn how to prune your specific type of tree. Then get on a regular pruning schedule. I took an excellent class for free at Skye Nursery which included a 1 ½ hour lecture; slides; hands-on pruning demonstrations; and hand-outs on pollination and insect and disease control. It was great, but I’m sure Molbak’s, Swanson’s, and other nurseries in the Seattle area also provide education for free. Check out their websites.
This may all seem like a lot to learn at first. But if you follow these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to growing healthy, productive fruit trees.
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