Fruit Trees For Your Small Gardens - By: Francis Blair

Have you noticed recently how many times we are being told to take a good look at our current lifestyles? The amount of information appearing in the media which is aimed at getting us to lead a more healthy life is absolutely incredible. All kinds of diets and exercise plans are constantly being developed to entice us to eat healthier and take more exercise on a regular basis. As we are continually being told to eat more fresh fruit it would make sense to grow our own fruit trees in our backyard but if you only have a small space there may be a few problems to consider.

As we gain a better understanding of what is good or bad for us many of us are choosing to purchase organically grown fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately this means that we often have to pay a premium price for the produce and the difference in cost can be very large. By growing our own fruit trees organically be can make considerable cost savings but we also benefit from the most fresh fruit possible. Fresh organic fruit not only tastes better but it also has more vitamins and minerals than non-organic stored fruit.

Today's modern home in an urban setting often only has a very small space for a backyard garden. Such homes are usually very close together which can cause some problems, especially if you plan to plant fruit trees. Unfortunately most tree species can grow to an enormous size. A large tree in a small space can be the source of some very serious problems. Often the roots of a tree extend much further than people would think and, on a large tree this can lead to serious damage to foundations. There are also many other problems such as the shrub blocking the light but the most obvious and visible problem is the simple fact that a large tree in a small space just looks ridiculous and leaves little space for a garden.

It is absolutely amazing how wonderful a small backyard can look. Even the smallest space can look spectacular. To obtain such perfection requires dedication or the services of a professional garden designer. It is very possible to design the perfect garden for a small space by spending a great deal of time studying the problem and its solutions. By careful design and specific choices about which plants to use, you can create the impossible.

Even in the smallest space it is possible to design a garden that has a few fruit trees. A fruit tree can add great beauty in any garden and can act as a focal point. Throughout the year a fruit tree will change and at each season the tree will looks incredible. In spring a fruit tree will produce masses of blossom which, when fertilized, will develop into small fruits. During the summer the fruit will grow until ripe and by fall they will be ready for harvest.

In recent decades there have been a number of advances in the creation of dwarf fruit tree varieties. A dwarf tree is created by grafting the main stem of the tree into a dwarf root stock which severely limits the growth. At one time the use of a dwarf root stock called M27 was popular but now M9 is used instead. M9 has two distinct advantages. Firstly M9 is far more reliable than M27 but it manages to create a tree which is smaller but produces more fruit.

Dwarf or compact fruit trees are the perfect solution if you have only a small space for a backyard. A modern dwarf fruit tree is a high yield but a low maintenance solution for small backyards. They usually reach a maximum size of less than 1.8m but produce the same amount of fruit as a much larger tree. The size can be restricted still further by pruning regularly or by planting it into a container.

Spur apple trees are amongst the types of tree most appealing to those who only have a small space for a backyard. A spur apple tree has an extremely upright habit and a fully grown tree can be up to 1.8m high but very narrow indeed. In fact when the fruit develops it creates a look as though the tree only consists of a trunk with leaves and fruit. Such a tree is sometimes referred to as a "midget" fruit tree and is superb for growing in containers.

A good garden design should include variety and those with a small backyard will be pleased to hear that there are a number of different fruits which can be grown on a dwarf variety. Such fruit trees are plums, pears, cherries, figs, Kiwi fruit, peaches, nectarines and more. Not only does such variety look great but it also means that you have a wider choice of organic fruit for the table.

As we are continually being told to eat more fresh fruit it would make sense to grow our own fruit trees in our backyard but if you only have a small space there may be a few problems to consider.

Landscaping Info 4U is an excellent source of gardening information including info about fruit trees for small spaces and general tree care