How to choose fruit trees for the garden

Enjoying fruit trees for the garden is a true delight for gardening lovers, both for its fruits and for its aesthetic value. But they are not the only two reasons to include them in our space. Having fruit trees also allows us to articulate and design a green space with one of its attractions. Something that we must contemplate in garden landscaping, and that will allow us to create a more harmonious and beautiful space thanks to them.

But, aside from practical issues, having fruit trees in the garden has one more advantage. One that we do not usually contemplate when we choose them but that also has its weight in the design of a garden. The blooms of the different fruit trees are a true natural spectacle, capable of adding notes of color to any space. And, although they are a claim to our sight and synonymous with enjoyment for the senses, there is one more reason to have them: their flowers are perfect if we consider how to attract pollinating insects to the garden. A way to put our grain of sand, incidentally, with the world around us.

However, despite all these benefits, it is often difficult for us to have fruit trees in the garden. Something that is largely due to many of the myths that surround this type of tree and not knowing how to choose them correctly. Something that we want to correct, helping you to know which one may be the ideal one for you.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO SUCCESSFULLY WITH GARDEN FRUIT TREES

Giving up having fruit trees in the garden is usually done out of fear or ignorance. Far from what is believed, they are not complicated trees to care for, nor will they take up more time than many of the plants we already have. They only require that we know the characteristics of their variety, and respect their needs.

Apart from this, choosing garden fruit trees correctly is not as complicated as it may seem. In reality, this task only involves taking into account some crucial aspects both for the well-being of the tree and for the proper development of our space. Some factors that we must know in depth before opting for one variety or another.

1. The weather, a determining factor

A fundamental starting point to choose fruit trees or any other plant in our garden. Contemplating the climatic singularities of the place where we live will determine which fruit trees we can or cannot enjoy. And it is that, within this category of trees, there are species that tolerate and need the cold to bear fruit; and others that just can’t stand it. It will be of no use to us to know conscientiously the care of fruit trees in autumn and winter if we have a tree whose life can even be compromised by low temperatures.

The two aspects that determine our choice of fruit trees are cold and heat. And, to be right when choosing them, we have to consider the maximum temperatures in summer but, above all, the lowest in winter. And let’s not just stick to the rigorous cold months. It should be noted that many of the blooms of these trees occur in early spring. If we live in an area marked by late frosts and we choose fruit trees that are not resistant to low temperatures or that bloom early, it is more than likely that one of them will ruin our harvest.

Find out which fruit trees for the garden are ideal according to the type of climate

Although we have many more to choose from, let’s see some that we can enjoy depending on the weather of the place where we live:

• Cold climate (temperatures below -10 degrees in winter, even if they are occasional; snowfall and frost): cherry, plum, apple, walnut, or pear among others
• Temperate climate (no falls below -10 degrees, but late frosts may occur): almond, chestnut, pomegranate, kiwi and olive trees, among others
• Warm or Mediterranean climate (mild winter temperatures and hot summers): lemon, mandarin, orange, quince or medlar

2. The type of soil, another detail to know thoroughly to choose fruit trees for a garden

A determining factor when choosing fruit trees for the garden. In order to grow, flourish and bear fruit, fruit trees need a soil that suits their needs. And no: it is not something negotiable. It is absolutely essential that, beyond having good drainage, they can lay their roots in the conditions that each of them demands, both in terms of soil properties and nutrients.

For this reason, and before starting to plant fruit trees, it is essential to know the characteristics of the soil in our garden and the specific needs of each variety.

3. The size of our tree in adulthood, an aspect to consider

In the same way that we have to take some time to choose trees for small gardens, we must do the same by default with all fruit trees. Knowing the dimensions that they can reach is not only key to choosing the plantation space: it is also key for it to prosper. We are talking about trees that, in general terms and with few exceptions, can have important dimensions. For this reason, it is essential to know how its development can be in order to choose its ideal place.

So, if we are looking for fruit trees for small patios or small gardens, do we have to give them up? Never! Not only because we can choose to have them in containers, knowing how to grow fruit trees in pots. In addition, we can also opt for dwarf fruit trees with reduced growth.

4. The hours of sunshine in our garden, another essential

Although we have left it for last, let’s not downplay it. The number of hours of sunshine we have is also decisive when choosing fruit trees for the garden. It is not only responsible for flowering: it is also directly responsible for the creation of the fruit.

Two reasons for us to investigate in depth the sun that each species or variety needs before opting for it. It is more than likely that, if we do not give our fruit tree what it needs, it can live. But yes: it will be rare for it to bloom and almost impossible for it to bear fruit.