How to grow mulberries, nectarines and oranges

Growing your own fruit is very economical, not to mention the added benefit of knowing exactly what conditions your fruit was planted in. Follow these basic steps to growing your own juicy mulberries, nectarines and oranges.

Mulberry trees are handsome specimens, easy to grow in a wide variety of soils and conditions, and they bear fruit after two years in the ground. They like a wide variety of climates and conditions, from cool to subtropical. The black 'English' variety is excellent for cool districts, and the white or Chinese mulberry is suited to warmer climates.

Plant mulberries in a warm, sheltered situation. It is best if the tree does not overhang a path or paved area, as the fruit falls if left unpicked and can be messy underfoot. To make harvesting easier, the size of the tree should be restricted. The plant should be let to develop naturally when it is young, then four or five branches should be chosen and concentrated on. These should be pruned back to 1 1/2 metres (five feet) above ground level. A light prune after fruiting is advised; shape the tree in winter when growth is dormant. The fruit ripens in summer and will need to be harvested rapidly before it falls.

These fruit have the same basic requirements as peaches, because they are the same species: the nectarine is, in fact, a smooth-skinned peach. There is a wide selection of self-fertile varieties; the most commonly grown is 'Goldmine', which has white flesh and is a freestone. 'Maygrand' is a more recent variety that has very sweet, yellow flesh.

Other outstanding nectarines are the 'Necta Red' series, which produces high yields of very large fruit with red skin and yellow flesh, the late-maturing 'Masterpiece', 'Sun Red', 'Sundowner' and 'Flavortop'.

While oranges may survive outdoors only in Canada's warmest of growing regions, southwestern British Columbia, they can also be grown indoors in pots for anyone to enjoy. Popular varieties are 'Valencia' and 'Washington Navel'. Other worthwhile varieties include 'Leng Navel', 'Lane's Late Navel' and the 'Maltese Blood', which has deep red flesh.

The soil for orange trees must be rich and well drained. They prefer a cool winter and warm to hot summer. Although they do best in warm to hot conditions, oranges are relatively adaptable trees and can withstand light frosts as long as some protection is provided.