Mini Orchards

Damson merryweather from Blackmoor Nurseries

Autumn is the time of year when we should thinking about ordering and planting new fruit trees for next year.

Of course most fruit trees are incredibly large and would not fit in the average garden or allotment plot, but advances in grafting techniques mean that an ever increasing range of varieties are now available as smaller trees.

Many apples are now grafted onto M9 or M27 rootstock which produce trees that grow no taller than about 1.8m with some nurseries even specialising in old varieties.

It is argued by nurseries and fruit growers that the M9 rootstock is superior to the M27, as it is much more reliable in the UK and yields more fruit.  Remember that trees generally produce fruit from their third year onwards, so if you don't want to wait this long you will need to purchase two to three year old specimens this autumn.

Other fruits have their own rootstock sizes and an excellent guide for the small garden has been compiled by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS);

Apple: M27, M9, M26, MM106 (avoid MM111, M2 and M25*)
Pear: Quince C, Quince A or EMH (avoid Pyrus*)
Plum, damson, peach, nectarine: Pixy or St Julien A (avoid Brompton*)
Apricot: St Julien A or Torinel (pot only) (avoid Brompton*)
Cherry: Colt or Gisela 5 (Avoid F12/1*)
Medlar: Quince A or Crataegus (avoid Pyrus*)
Quince: Quince C or Quince A (avoid Pyrus*)

* too vigorous for small gardens or pots 

J parkers midget apple

When planting fruit trees and planning your mini orchard you still need to remember to give the plants plenty of space.  An M9 rootstock will produce a tree with an average 4-6ft canopy (branch area) and so should be given enough room to achieve this.

If space is a factor or you can only grow one or two trees, make sure they are self fertile.  This means that they do not need another tree of the same or similar variety to pollinate them. Some growers will graft two varieties onto one rootstock, these are known as "Dual" fruit trees.

Should you wish to grow two or three varieties which will cross pollinate, then you need to remember that trees blossom at different times in the spring.  Therefore, an early blossoming apple which requires another apple for pollination, means that both trees have to be in blossom at the same time. The grower will often denote this by labelling the tree season 1, 2 or 3.

The weather will also dictate the variety best for your area.  Early flowering trees can be badly damaged by late frosts and are currently best suited to the milder southern part of the UK. In the north or frost prone areas, opting for later flowering varieties will greatly increase your chances of fruit in the autumn.

Good pruning skills are required for smaller trees in order to get the best yield.  Arm yourself with a good book or even attend a course.