Reprinted Articles

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.

Most of us understand that organic fruit and vegetables are far better for us than the alternatives but the added cost is sometimes to prohibitive. We also know that the fresher the fruit the more vitamins and minerals it contains. By growing our own fruit trees we can produce organic fruit at an extremely low cost and, because it can be harvested immediately before use, such fruit is also the freshest available.

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 surprising what can be created in such a small space as an urban backyard. Professional garden designers can create truly spectacular gardens in the smallest possible space. However, if you can not afford professional services it is perfectly possible to design a garden yourself. To create a suitable design you will need to spend a little time investigating which plants will be most suitable for use in small spaces.

Adding a point of interest to a smaller backyard can be problematic but one solution can be the addition of fruit trees. During the different seasons of the year a fruit tree will look vastly different. Even in the winter, a bare tree with frosted branches from which icicles hang, can look great but it is in the spring when it will look its finest. Spring is when the fruit tree will be covered in sweet smelling and fantastic looking blossom why, by fall, will (if fertilized) develop into fruit ready for harvest.

Dwarf fruit tree varieties have improved greatly in recent decades. The development of the dwarf root stock M9 (onto which the main stem of the fruit tree is grafted) has led to the creation of varieties which remain small but also manage to produce more fruit than previous dwarf varieties.

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.

Amongst the most useful of fruit trees for the gardener with only a small space for a backyard, is the spur apple tree. While the tree can still grow up to 1.8m high it has such an upright habit that it often looks rather strange covered in a multitude of ripened apples.

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.

Tags: Gardening Tips