Winter is the perfect time to start growing your own fruit trees.
Deciduous fruit trees will soon be available bare rooted in most nurseries. Deciduous fruit trees include apricot, apple, pear, almond, cherry , plum and nectarines.
South-east Queensland has not always offered the best growing conditions for these fruits but with a better understanding of the plant needs and good plant choice, there is every possibility of success.
In the above video we talk you through how best to plant them.
Plan ahead before you buy your tree. Choose a site that drains well and receives at least six hours of sun every day.
Test your drainage by digging a hole and filling it with water. If your hole takes a long time to drain then you will need to improve your drainage or raise your bed, if neither of these suit you, you can chose plants for pots.
Next clear an area 1metre in diameter of grass and anything that is growing.
In the middle of this clearing dig a hole about a spade depth and 40cm in diameter. Pile this soil to the side to use later. Dig this hole another 20cm deep and put this soil in a different pile.
Mix the first lot of soil with compost and peat and return to the hole until planting. When choosing your tree, look for varieties that are suited to our conditions.
These are often referred to as low chill varieties and they do not need an extended cold period to fruit and grow well (lists of these are available on the Internet).
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Also consider the pollination requirements. Apples, pears and sweet cherries will require more than one variety of each to set fruit and this second variety will need to flower about the same time.
For example the apple tree anna will be polinated by pink pearl or zestar.
A full list of suitable pollinators can also be found on the internet and sorting this out before you plant can save you a lot of disappointment later.
On the other hand peaches, nectarines apricots and sour cherries do not need a pollinator.
When planting your tree please research how to or watch an online tutorial if you are not sure of the correct technique.
Georgie Francis from Jimboomba Community Garden will provide more gardening advice next month.
For more news from the Jimboomba region visit http://www.jimboombatimes.com.au