In this time of economic hardship, job losses, and home forclosures, it seems to be the right time to revist being closer to nature and becoming more self sufficient for our family’s future.

Also, a greenhouse certainly helps to produce vegetables year round in climates that are not extreme. So, go wild and experiment in your backyard, with vegetables, honeybees, fruit trees, and of course chickens for your egg and meat needs.

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The size of the tree is the first thing you have to consider. Have you decided if it will be dwarf, semi dwarf or be a standard size once it reaches maturity. If you are going to have a dwarf tree, it needs an area that has an 8-foot diameter. Semi dwarf trees will need 15-foot diameter. An area of 30 feet is needed for a standard size trees.

Sunlight is essential for trees to grow. Determine the right amount of sunlight needed by your tree. Most trees require about 6 hours of sunlight daily. Too much sunlight can possibly damage the tree. But avoid a spot where the sunlight will be blocked.

When choosing a spot, remember to select an area where it will be convenient for pruning, harvesting and especially watering. Avoid planting your fruit tree near your house or fence. It will be a hindrance when you prune or harvest. Consider the proximity of the water. If you have a sprinkler system in your backyard, it will be wise to select a spot that is close to it. If you don’t have an available sprinkler, choose a spot that can be reached by your hose.

In planting trees, soil is the major determinant whether or not you will have be healthy. Choose a spot where the soil has the right nutrients, moisture and particles. You can change the condition of your soil to make it suitable for the plant.

1. Have healthy soil.

One of the basic concepts in gardening is to have a fertile soil for your plants. Planting on the right soil will give you more chances on having a healthy plant. Find out what nutrients are essential to your plant. Research on which type of soil your plant will grow best. There are fruit trees that prefer to grow in drier soil and others love damp ones. You can always modify the soil in your garden in order to suit to what your plants need.

2. Prevent pests.

Pest prevention is an important concept in gardening. You should know the right techniques to help avoid pest and diseases that can destroy your plants. To prevent the pest in your plant, clean up the area where pest might live such as weeds, pile of leaves and decaying materials. Use bug spray and repellant which will help drive away pests.

3. Don’t harvest all the fruits at the same time.

If all the fruit is left on the trees, the branches might get heavy and snap. If your tree starts to bear fruit, pick some of them before they become ready. However, avoid harvesting all the fruits at the same time. It is one way to avoid damaging the trees which most gardeners take for granted.

4. Protect the young ones.

Newly planted seedlings need more protection since they are still fragile. Protect them from strong wind and too much sunlight. A small tree can be tied on a stake to avoid damage due to strong winds. But be sure not to tie it too tight and give some space where the trunk will grow. Put a small fence around the plant to prevent animals from destroying the plant.

5. Plant it correctly.

Growth of a plant is affected by how you have planted it. It will end up unhealthy once you have planted the tree incorrectly. Read instructions on the right way of planting fruit trees. Make sure that you plant it vertically to avoid the plant growing in different direction.

Maybe you are having second thoughs about maintaining an organic garden because of time and energy you need to invest. But here is an easier way to have a organic fertilizers when you grow your own fruit.

1. Select a site for planting. If you have just started planting fruit, then select a smaller size to begin your garden. There are fruits that can be planted on containers and pots that can be more effective if you want to supply it with pure organic matter.
2. Collect organic material likes leaves, grass and weeds to add in your compost pit. The compost is the primary element that is added to soil to increase its nutrients.
3. The right soil. The right soil for your fruit trees is the one from your compost pit. As much as possible add more organic materials. This soil is best suited for your tree plants because it will provide nutrients to the plants without any harmful chemicals. Organic soil is softer which will enable the plants to grow faster.
4. Manage the weed. Once you have started growing your own fruit, take a daily check for the weeds that will compete for water and nutrients. Hand weed those that are usually growing back. Take the roots off but be careful not to damage your plant. Using mulches such as barks, and wood chips can be used to control weeds and at the same time will soon decomposed and enrich the soil.
5. Encourage friendly insects, birds and worms to hang out in your garden. They can help in enriching the soil. Arrange how you can invite them in your garden.

Growing you own fruit trees can be very gratifying. Use organic materials to produce more quality fruits.

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If you are planning to plant container grown fruits, check first if the soil is frozen. If your soil is drenched with water, dig it thoroughly, smash the solid chunks and add more organic compost.

Have the compost soaked in water for about 20 minutes. Also, ensure that the roots of your plants are wet.

When digging a hole, dig one that is bigger than the pot. Add compost manure and other organic materials leaving a space that has the same size of the pot. Put the plant from the pot to the hole you dug. Fill up the hole with more soil or organic mixture. Press the soil lightly to firm it around the roots. Add fertilizers if needed.
Remember to keep watering the plant during its first year.

3. Fertilizer

It is best to add fertilizer during the spring season. Add it evenly around the rooting area. Always water the plant after putting the fertilizer.

4. Watering the Plant

Watering of plants depend where it is planted and moist of the soil. Plants in containers need to be checked frequently to make sure the soil did not dry up. Water the fruit plant and be certain that you soak the compost in the pot. Fruit trees that are planted in the grounds do not usually needs watering especially during springtime. However, when the weather becomes warm the soil usually dries up.

5. Pruning

Pruning should be done during dry weather. Prune in spring when the plants are growing more than autumn or winter. Pruning is essential especially for fruits like cherries and plums.

Know more how to plant your own fruit trees. Grab a copy of “How To Grow Your Own Fruit.”

Compensation Disclosure: This site receives compensation for referred sales of some or all of the products mentioned.