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GROW YOUR OWN FRUIT
It's easier than you think!
APPLE TREES
Apple Trees are a lovely addition to any property. They do no take up much space so even the smallest yard can enjoy the harvest. Most apple trees we sell here at Gemmell's are dwarf to semi dwarf that grow no larger than 16' tall. Size can further be controlled by pruning in early spring.
Tiny urban yards can also grow espaliered fruit trees. Espalier is the art of training trees to branch in formal patterns usually along a wall, or on a trellis. The technique of espalier first became popular several hundred years ago in the walled Medieval gardens of Europe. Few or no fruit trees could be grown in these walled gardens because of the limited space available. However, by placing the trees along the garden walls and training them to grow in a more or less two dimensional form, trees could be incorporated into the garden with relatively little loss in growing area.Another benefit to espalier is that south-facing walls warm early in spring, collect heat during the summer, and remain warm later into the fall, therefore extending the season.
Many gardeners shy away from fruit trees because they think that they are a lot of work. Actually yearly pruning and an application of a dormant oil in March are the key factors is success with fruit. Dormant Oil manages to reduce the chances of pests & blights by over 50%. Pruning helps to keep open branch growth and good air circulation around the fruit which
Varieties
There are some tasty new varieties available as well as the tried and true standards. This season we have the following varieties at Gemmell's;
Cortland, Empire, Gala, Honey Crisp, McIntosh, Yellow Transparent, Idared, and Golden Delicious
Note: Apples are self sterile which means they require a second variety for pollination. Generally any apple will pollinate another. If flowering crab apples are in bloom in the area they will serve as cross-pollinators as well.
PEARS
Pears are another excellent fruit tree to grow. When my husband was growing up there was an enormous fruit laden pear tree on their family farm even after they moved we would return every year to pick the pears which were the tastiest I've ever had! As with all fruit, pears require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. They are not self- fruitful so two pear varieties are required to produce fruit. They generally grow larger than apples to a max height of about 20' though size can be controlled through pruning in early spring as well. It is important with pears to plant two compatible varieties so we recommend that you buy both at the same time. Here at Gemmell's we carry two different varieties each season that are compatible. This year we have Bartlett a vigorous grower that is very productive with buttery juicy flesh and Flemish Beauty which is the hardiest cultivar for colder climates that produces large yellow tasty fruit.
CHERRIES
There are two types of cherry trees available sour & sweet. All sour cherries are self fruitful which means you only require one tree to produce fruit. 'Montmorency' is the variety we carry and it has a large bright red fruit with a firm texture. It is one of the most popular and widely planted sour cherries. Most sweet cherries are not self- fruitful with a few exceptions one of which is 'Stella' the variety we carry here at the garden centre. Stella is a natural dwarf tree so it grows to approximately 12' tall with very large firm black sweet fruit. Excellent choice for small spaces!
New this season Bush Cherries! Romeo and Juliette are sour cherries that grow as small bushes that I managed to find from an obscure grower. Come check them out!
PLUMS
Yes we can grow plums in our area! This season we have Mount Royal which is self pollinating blue plum that is excellent fresh or canning and two varieties of Japanese Plums Toka and Burbank. Toka a nice sweet apricot fleshed red plum which has outstanding cold hardiness in our area. Burbank a sweet juicy plum with outstanding flavour can be eaten fresh or canned, bred by lengendary plant breeder Luther Burbank this is an old variety that is also very hardy.
So if you are interested in the joining the vast numbers of gardeners who have joined the 'grow your own' movement you may want to consider adding a fruit tree to your landcape this summer.
If you would like to discuss fruit tree choices and care feel free to drop into the garden centre and speak with one our knowledgable staff members. We'd love to help.
Think Spring!
