Discussion
THis is probably a good place to start: https://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/Grow-Your-Own/Fruit?...
We're going to plant some too, to make a nice feature of the boundary between us and the property behind (they're keen on the idea too).
The woman at the garden centre I use advised me to plant in spring next year as it's when you get the best trees available. The later in the year the slimmer the pickings are (so to speak) as people generally buy in the summer when they get the idea that an orchard would be nice.
I planted a pink lady apple tree this spring in a different location so I think I'm going to go with a mixture down this other end of the garden. Cooking apples, plums, cherries and some nice blossoms to break things up. Maybe even some berry bushes as the wife likes picking and cooking but I think they'll take a bit of keeping in check.
I've spoken to this guy before and he's helpful;
https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/sale#page1
The woman at the garden centre I use advised me to plant in spring next year as it's when you get the best trees available. The later in the year the slimmer the pickings are (so to speak) as people generally buy in the summer when they get the idea that an orchard would be nice.
I planted a pink lady apple tree this spring in a different location so I think I'm going to go with a mixture down this other end of the garden. Cooking apples, plums, cherries and some nice blossoms to break things up. Maybe even some berry bushes as the wife likes picking and cooking but I think they'll take a bit of keeping in check.
I've spoken to this guy before and he's helpful;
https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/sale#page1
LaurasOtherHalf said:
The woman at the garden centre I use advised me to plant in spring next year as it's when you get the best trees available. The later in the year the slimmer the pickings are (so to speak) as people generally buy in the summer when they get the idea that an orchard would be nice.
That's a point but nature isn't always the same as retail convenience. The RHS advice is more scientific: 'You will see apple trees for sale in two forms: bare-root stock (as the name suggested, the roots are exposed when you purchase these plants) or in containers. Bare-root plants should be planted from late autumn until early spring; containerised plants can be planted at any time of year, though winter is preferred.'Bare root plants/trees are being prepared for delivery from now until the spring, now is the time to order to reserve the best stock. I've got 5 trees due in the week of the 21st of November from Orangepippin.co.uk, 2 apples, 2 plums, 1 pear. I've had blueberries, cranberries and lingonberries delivered in the last couple of weeks and raspberries and black currants coming in November.
Yes, order bareroot trees now, the best stuff sells out rapidly, garden center lady talk BS (probably because they get potted trees in in spring).
Raspberries need rich well-prepared soil and moisture to perform best.
Being up north check fruit tree varieties are suitable to a cooler climate/shorter growing season & frost hardy blossom, lots are not.
Raspberries need rich well-prepared soil and moisture to perform best.
Being up north check fruit tree varieties are suitable to a cooler climate/shorter growing season & frost hardy blossom, lots are not.
As others have said, you can plant potted trees anytime but you're best to get bare root trees and plant them between now and late spring. Go to a local tree nursery rather than a national garden centre chain. You'll get good advice on what's suitable for your area. As you're in Glasgow, it would be well worth taking your daughter to something run by these people www.clydevalleyorchards.co.uk .
V8RX7 said:
Bear in mind how much fruit you'll eat.
I have recently cut down 4 eating apple trees and 2 cookers because there was just far too much fruit to pick / eat and it attracted loads of wasps, took days to clear up etc
This - the chainsaw is coming for the apple tree this week - massive PITAI have recently cut down 4 eating apple trees and 2 cookers because there was just far too much fruit to pick / eat and it attracted loads of wasps, took days to clear up etc
dmsims said:
V8RX7 said:
Bear in mind how much fruit you'll eat.
I have recently cut down 4 eating apple trees and 2 cookers because there was just far too much fruit to pick / eat and it attracted loads of wasps, took days to clear up etc
This - the chainsaw is coming for the apple tree this week - massive PITAI have recently cut down 4 eating apple trees and 2 cookers because there was just far too much fruit to pick / eat and it attracted loads of wasps, took days to clear up etc
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