Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi all,

Thinking of planting some fruit trees and bushes i have in pots down my new allotment. They've been in the pots for about 5 months. They are a cherry tree, a peach tree, a pear tree, a goosberry bush, a tayberry bush, red current and blackcurrent bushes. These are them pictured below



I've rotovated the land and covered with weed suppressing membrane. Was going to pland them in a row at the side of my allotment through the membrane and then Sprinkle with Fish blood and bone. Will this be ok? How far should i space them apart? Will they survive over winter?

All help and advice appreciated

Cheers

Will also be planting my free Blueberry bush and Plum tree that's with this months mag. Should i use suppots for the trees and bushes-will canes be strong enough?

Cheers

You have to take account of how big these trees will grow. You will need a stake, driven in at a 45 degree angle to the prevailing wind and then secured with a good tree tie. You will need to make sure the tree does not rub against the post, you can buy ties or just use string or old tights secured first around the tree, then twisted to put a knot between the tree and post and then tied to the post. Dig the hole square, not circular, there has been scientific research on this (the tree's roots go out further) and make sure that the tree base is slightly raise to create a shallow mound, this allows water to run off and create a moat) this gives the tree a securer root ball and a water reserve.

Tree spacing depends on root stock, if you are growing apples as cordons, then you will get more in but they tend to be against a frame and you could read up on that. It means you can get more varieties in a small area. If not, then it is suggested that you plant your trees a minimum of 15-20 feet apart, as they will get big and even with pruning will need enough air space around them to prevent disease. Hence cordons and espaliers are better on an allotment.

Blueberry bushes work best in pots and in pairs, they need acid loving compost or else they will suffer.

__________________
Best wishes
Andrewo
Harbinger of Rhubarb tales

Unless the pear is the variety "Conference", it'll need a pollination partner (a different variety within shouting distance) - and not many people grow pears.
Although self-fertile, Conference produces lower quality and mis-shapen fruit if it self-pollinates.
The peach will struggle to thrive unless it is sheltered from the Northerly chills.
The cherry may also need a pollination partner, as well as protection from bird theft of the fruit.

Due to not knowing the rootstock, spacing is more difficult to answer.
The rootstock of the trees and the growing conditions will have an effect.
I'd say that their branches could easily reach out 6-7ft in each direction from the trunk, after 10 years, but if they are correctly and regularly pruned, they could be kept smaller.

You berry bushes will probably easily reach 3-4ft in each direction from the trunk, but pruning could keep them smaller.

Before planting them, consider the effect (of their shadow and roots) on neighbouring plots!