Creating a backyard orchard: the basics

While the idea of an orchard may sound ambitious for a backyard, there are some clever ways to grow fruit-bearing plants in small spaces. Here are some tips to help you start growing delicious fruit in your garden.

• Always plant grafted varieties rather than growing your fruit trees from seeds or seedlings. Seeds and seedlings can be unreliable and they may take many years to bear fruit.
• Choose varieties that are suitable for your climate and situation.
• Many fruit trees will not set fruit unless their pollination requirements are met. Some are self-pollinating (only one plant is required), while others require pollen from a tree of a different variety but of the same species.
• When planting for pollination, plant the pollinator within reasonable proximity so the bees don't have too far to travel.
• When you bring trees home from a nursery, plant them as soon as possible – it's important not to let the roots dry out.

• Mound the soil in the bottom of a hole.
• Spread the roots over the mound.
• Position the strongest root in the direction of the prevailing wind. Make sure that the bud or graft union is above the soil level.
• Apply a slow-release fertilizer at planting time or a complete fertilizer in spring when growth begins. Fertilizers rich in potash encourage flowering and fruit.

• Plant dwarf varieties. They produce the same-sized fruit, but take up less space. There are dwarf cultivars of apples, citrus, nectarines, peaches and plums that can be grown in small spaces or even in containers – perfect for a balcony.
• Save space by planting multi-grafted trees. Different varieties are available, including citrus, apple, pear and stone fruit. Select combinations for your climate and include compatible varieties for cross-pollination on the same tree.
• Espalier fruit trees against a fence or trellis to save space and create a feature. (For the novice gardener: "espalier" means to train the tree to grow flat against a surface, such as a wall.)

• If you have enough room, dedicate an area of the garden to the orchard. A well-drained and sloped position in full sun is best.
• When you're planning your orchard, keep in mind that most fruit trees take two years to begin cropping and that trees grown from seed may take seven years or longer.
• Fence off the orchard to keep animals out. Before planting, establish windbreaks on the north, west and east sides of the area.
• Don't plant your fruit trees too close together or they will compete for sunlight and nutrients. They will also be stressed, susceptible to insect and fungal attacks, and will not crop well. To work out how much space to leave between them, check the mature size and height of all the varieties you've chosen.
• If you decide to have grassy paths between the trees, make sure there's enough access for a lawn mower. Plant in straight lines to make mowing easier.
• Think about grouping fruit trees with similar pest and disease management needs.

• Hang bird scarers in your trees.
• Grow a line of "sacrificial" trees along the orchard boundary for birds and bats.
• Drape bird netting over your trees to stop birds from eating your fruit. Check them regularly.
• If you have chickens, let them forage in the orchard to control pests and fertilize the trees at the same time.
• To avoid attracting flies, remove rotten or infested fruit.

Growing an orchard in your backyard requires hard work and patience, but it is well worth the effort when you start enjoying home-grown fruit!