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Patio Fruit Trees

JustinjedimasterJustinjedimaster Posts: 9
in Fruit & veg
Hello I’ve recently moved house and have a much bigger garden of which I’m thinking of now planting my patio fruit trees ( Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum)  into the soil. So I was wondering is this a good idea, what fertiliser should I use and should I wait until they are dormant? 
Many Thanks 

Justin 
Justin

Posts

  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    I would check that they’re not dwarfing stock first.  Patio tress are unsurprisngly designed for the patio so may not achieve your expectations in a larger setting.
  • JustinjedimasterJustinjedimaster Posts: 9
    Thank you for the replies, I’m not expecting them to grow in full size trees and are more than happy that they stay small, I’m just wanting to plant them around the perimeter of the garden. I was think of digging in some fertiliser into the soil prior to planting but not sure which would be best and whether when planted to scatter blood fish and bone on the surface? 
    Justin
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    l wouldn’t use fertiliser now, the plants will be approaching winter dormancy. Feeding them now could encourage unseasonal growth which is likely to be prone to frost damage.  It would be better to wait until early spring to feed.  If you plant them in the ground now you could mulch the area around the plants with organic matter to protect the roots from extreme temperatures, it will also break down in the soil to provide extra nutrients in time for the new growing season.

    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    These days, it's considered bad practise to only fertilize the actual planting hole.  I would recommend that you improve the soil over the whole area (if necessary) instead, then plant them.  That's best achieved by mulching the area with about 3" of bagged manure from a garden centre, then let that be naturally taken down by worms etc.
    If the soil is already good, then you may only need to add a general fertilizer to the whole area. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • JustinjedimasterJustinjedimaster Posts: 9
    Thank you so much for your replies , I’m much wiser now lol. I’ll wait until they are dormant first and plant then cover with mulch. An cross my fingers for next year. 
    Justin
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If they are currently in pots, you can plant them in the ground now, there's no need to wait until they are dormant.  This gives the roots a chance to grow while the soil is warm and moist, helping the shoots and foliage to develop in the spring with a stronger root base.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    Yes, especially if they’re fruiting now I’d wait until they’ve cropped and probably put them in at the end of the month or whenever they are done.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If they are fruiting now, then yes, wait.  If not, they’ll do better in the ground now to get established and avoid their roots being exposed to freezing temperatures above ground in pots, unless you insulate them.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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