4 Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Fruit Trees in Your Backyard
Fruit trees are a great addition to any backyard. They're eco-friendly and beautiful, and they provide an abundance of fresh and healthy snacks for your family. Of course, if you want those trees to bear fruit, you'll need to take care of them properly. Thankfully, growing fruit trees doesn't have to be difficult — as long as you avoid these four common mistakes.
1. Don't choose the wrong variety
There are so many types of fruit out there, and each type of fruit has numerous variations to choose from. However, not all trees will be suited to your backyard. One of the most common mistakes amateur arborists make when growing fruit trees is choosing the wrong trees to begin with. For example, apples thrive in colder weather, so apple trees may not be the right choice if you live in a sunny part of Australia. Instead, you might want to opt for a drought-tolerant, heat-resistant fruit like pomegranate or figs.
2. Don't forget to spray
Spraying is an important part of keeping your trees healthy and safe from pests, and many sprays also include chemicals that are designed to help you trees grow strong. Spraying may seem unnecessary, but you'd be surprised at how fast things can go south if you don't do it often enough. Make sure you have the right equipment and spray for your specific fruit trees and follow the correct guidance to make sure you're spraying regularly.
3. Don't underestimate pruning
It may sound counter-intuitive, but if you want your tree to grow, you'll need to cut it back from time to time. This is known as pruning, and it's crucial for the health of your tree and the quality of fruit that you will get. If you are having trouble finding a pruning method that works for your trees, then look online at videos and pictures for your specific fruit and variety. Pruning incorrectly is just as bad as not pruning at all.
4. Don't forget to fertilise
Last but not least, too many people also forget to fertilise their trees often. Technically, a tree will grow on its own without your intervention, which is why so many people don't realise the importance of fertilising. In truth, your tree is likely to grow slowly and weakly without regular 'food'. Fertilisers ensure that your tree gets the right amount of nutrients, helping it to grow strong and bear large, delicious, plentiful fruit for your family.
Contact a nursery that sells bare root fruit trees to learn more.