[ad_1]
Whether you’ve got a small backyard food garden or several acres of real estate to play with, the temptation is always to cram in as many edible crops as possible!
But when it comes to fruit trees, how many can you fit in your yard?
To figure this out, we need to know how far apart we can plant fruit trees! The fruit tree transplanting range will depend on several factors, so it is best to have your plan figured before springing for a load of new trees!
Luckily, there are some clever and creative ways we can fit more fruit trees into our yards. Let’s take a look at how to plant a fruit orchard.
Outdoor Happens is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Click to learn more
Read More – The 9 Best Fruit Trees for Zone 4 Fruit Gardens
What Happens If You Plant Fruit Trees Too Close Together?
Nothing good!
Your fruit trees must have enough air, light, and water if you want them to grow a bountiful fruit crop!
When trees grow too close together, they will compete for water, oxygen, and other nutrients. If your trees are too tightly bound – you may need advanced irrigation! As they grow, the canopy of each tree will expand.
The thick fruit tree canopy may reduce light and air around the base and branches of the tree. Overly crowded tree canopies can cause fungal diseases and will also reduce the overall crop of each tree.
There’s another problem with planting fruit trees too close together! When it comes to harvest time, you won’t be able to access the fruit!
Our Pick
Dr. Earth Organic and Natural Wonder Fruit Tree Fertilizer 25 lb
If you want fertilizer for your fruit trees – only choose organic compounds! That’s why I’m a fan of Dr. Earth – their fertilizers contain beneficial soil microbes and natural ingredients!
Dr. Earth’s natural fruit tree fertilizer will help feed your fruit trees, nut trees, and vines – including apples, avocados, plums, peaches, berries, citrus, grapes, and more. Don’t use synthetics. Use Dr. Earth!
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/15/2021 02:36 am GMT
Read More – 7 DIY Strawberry Planter Ideas for the Best Garden Strawberries!
Can You Plant Different Fruit Trees Next to Each Other?
As long as they are suitable for your climate, all types of fruit trees will grow well together. It is often beneficial to interplant varying species of trees, as this can reduce the likelihood of disease and may also invite helpful pollinators.
When planning your fruit trees, remember that some types of fruit will need one or more varieties for pollination. Others, such as avocado trees and kiwi vines, may require a male and a female to pollinate.
Our Pick
Honey Bee Wildflower Pollinator Mix – 65,000+ Seeds Perennial & Annual Flowers – Help Save The Honey Bees!
If you want baskets stuffed with ripe and delicious fruit – you need honeybees. And lots of them! That’s why I’m buzzing like crazy for this epic pack of 65,000+ perennial and annual flowers. Heaven for honey bees and honey bee allies!
This massive seed pack works for all growing zones in the US. Expect to get Red Corn Poppy, Siberian Wallflower, Lance Leaf Coreopsis, Orange California Poppy, Evening Primrose, Purple Coneflower, Lemon Queen Sunflower, Baby Blue Eyes, and tons more!
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/15/2021 02:36 am GMT
How Many Feet Apart Should You Plant Fruit Trees?
The distance between fruit trees depends on the type and the rootstock of each tree!
Standard rootstock fruit trees grow up to 18 to 25 feet tall/wide. The exception to this is peach and nectarine trees, which grow to about 12 to 15 feet.
The distance between standard fruit trees depends on the type of tree. Apples will need planting at least 30 feet apart, while pear trees can be a bit closer at 20 feet apart.
Semi-dwarf rootstock fruit trees reach a more manageable 12 to 15 feet in height and width. So, if you’re looking to fit more trees into a smaller space, a semi-dwarf rootstock is a more sensible option.
Switching your apples and pears to a semi-dwarf rootstock variety means you can plant them 15 feet apart.
Read More – 5 Common Garden Foods That Are Healthier Than You Think
How Far Apart Should Small Fruit Trees Be Planted?
If you’re short of space, there are some other ingenious ways to fit more fruit trees into a small space:
Dwarf fruit trees graft onto a rootstock! The graft limits its size to 8 to 10 feet tall. Their limited height means they are small enough to be planted in large pots without taking up too much space in your yard.
- Multi-variety Fruit Trees
Some specialist plant nurseries sell fruit trees where more than one variety gets grafted onto the same rootstock. So, just one small tree might bear several different types of fruit – incredibly ingenious space-saving!
Cordon trees are dwarf trees grown as a single stem, with all the fruit borne directly adjacent to this stem. Their growing style means you can plant many fruit trees in a line, as little as 2-3 feet apart! You won’t get a large yield from each tree, but you do have the option to plant many more different varieties of trees with this method.
Hedges don’t just have to be for keeping livestock in! Planting a fruiting hedgerow can give you an abundance of fruit throughout the summer and fall! You can also count on providing shelter and excellent wildlife habitat.
This method means you can have heftier trees, such as apples and pears, interplanted with berries and other fruits! It might not be the easiest to prune, but it will be buzzing with happy pollinators when the spring blossom bursts into life!
Our Pick
Pollinator’s Delight – Flower Seed Grow Kit – Jonsteen Company
Here’s another generous jug of bee pollinator mix that will summon honeybees like a big jar of honey! This jug contains roughly 25 different wildflowers – and will cover about 150 square feet. Perfect for your new batch of fruit trees!
Another thing I love about this brand is that they guarantee seed germination. If your seeds don’t germinate, the manufacturer promises to provide free replacement seeds. That’s because they’re passionate about bees – and want to help revive their populations to a thriving level. Let’s save the bees – together!
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/15/2021 02:36 am GMT
Read More – Our Epic Spaghetti Squash Growing Guide!
Fruit Trees Spacing Without Stress
There’s one more tip that I need to share.
Watch out for hungry bunnies!
Rabbits and deer love to nibble on baby fruit trees. I’m not saying to harm the rabbits or deer. But – keep your eyes open and shoo them away if needed!
You can also get a tree scarf for your young developing fruit tree.
Once your baby tree develops for a few seasons – they’ll grow much heftier and thicker. Before long – bunnies and deer won’t be able to harm them in the least!
Thanks so much for reading this fruit tree spacing guide – and let us know if you have questions, feedback, or fruit tree growing tips!
Read More – How to Save Pumpkin Seeds for Planting Next Year, From Fruit to Vine!
Our Pick
The Fruit Gardener’s Bible: A Complete Guide to Growing Fruits and Nuts in the Home Garden
If you’re getting serious about growing fruit in your backyard – then you need the Fruit Gardener’s Bible! Inside, you’ll learn about growing fruits from beginner to advanced.
One of the authors (now deceased, RIP) famously grew over 20,000 trees on their farm in Vermont – and they were a member of the New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association.
Whether you want to start an orange orchard or launch a tiny strawberry patch in your backyard, this is one of the most popular and highly rated fruit gardening books. Period!
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/15/2021 02:36 am GMT
[ad_2]
Source link
Get more stuff like this
in your inbox
Don't Be Left Unprepared
Thank you for subscribing.
Something went wrong.
