I have a problem: My garden is a finite size.
It will hold only so many trees, though Ive been trying for years to squeeze in more.
The solution might be a micro orchard, which provides distinct benefits.
That small stature of tree means you’re able to pack more into a smaller space.
With trees this small, you’re free to more easily control pests and viruses.
A tiny tree is much easier to spray than a fifteen-foot tree.
The most common reason people choose root stock is the height.
They have the deepest catalog of fruit trees Ive seen, with almost a hundredvarietiesof pomegranate alone.
I had room in my front yard for four trees to start.
Ive beenstudyingminior micro orchards for the last few months, and there seemed to be some common trends.
Apples and pears were common, and given the variety available on stock, that made sense.
Plums were popular, as were peaches.
This could include mulberries, cherries, olives, and even citrus.
He guided me to an Eldorado and Bonanza peach, both of which are available nationwide.
Particularly for stone fruit, spring is too wet for big cuts, he said.
He suggested waiting for dry conditions this summer.
Generally, plants are pruned while dormant, after fruiting or flowering.
So the end of summer would be an appropriate time to prune your stone fruit and quince.
For apples and pears, the appropriate time is fall or winter.
Medlars get pruned in late winter or early spring.
As a general rule, never take more than a third of a plant or tree at once.
You want cuts to be at 45 degrees, so the branch grows up out of that cut.
Think of the cut like it is forming an elbow.
The first cuts each year should be to remove any branches that are directed inward, rather than outward.
All the branches should be moving up and away from the center.
Next, youll want to consider branches that cross other branches, which should be removed.
Any small, dead branches should be cut away.
There are excellentvideosonhow to pruneusing thismethod.
Dwarf stock often doesnt have the same disease resistance as taller or regular stock.
Youll want to be diligent during pruning about maintaining balance in your trees to help with this problem.
