Almost everyone can grow one variety or another of fruittrees in their backyard. Here are some tips on growingfruit trees:

Plant fruit trees about 20 feet apart and in a sunnylocation.

Plant more than one variety of a fruit. That means therewill be fruit more of the time and not all will mature atthe same time.

Planting more varieties also means better cross-pollinationof pears, apples, plums and cherries, which yields a moreconsistent production.

Use less common planting techniques. Plant two, three orfour trees in one hole, or use espalier and hedgerows.

Small trees are much easier to spray, thin, prune, andharvest than large trees too.

Keep fruit trees at a manageable size. Choose a height thatyou can reach for thinning and harvesting while standing onthe ground or a small, safe ladder. The only way to do thatis by pruning.

Pruning is necessary to stimulate new fruiting wood, toremove broken and diseased wood, and to remove branches toallow good air circulation and sunlight penetration.The shape and size of a fruit tree is established during thefirst three years so pruning is most important during thattime.

Prune fruit trees any time during January to March beforeflowering begins.

Be sure fruit trees receive adequate water during thegrowing season.

Keep a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around each tree to coverthe soil over the root system.

Scatter fertilizer starting one foot away from the trunk andout far enough so that the outer edge is just outside theouter edge of the branches known as the dripline. Lightlyscratch the fertilizer into the soil with a rake and thenwater well.

Fertilize just before bloom or leaf sprout occurs, usuallyin March. Use one pound of fertilizer for each one inch oftrunk diameter.

During the trees second year pinch off any flowers and allowthe tree to put all it's energy into developing its rootsystem.

For more information on growing healthy fruit trees visit:http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/fruittree.htm

Copyright: 2006 Marilyn Pokorney

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