This involves digging it over to a fine tilth and removing all weeds which might otherwise compete with the new trees as they grow during the first season. Of course, I had the option of planting the semi-dwarf varieties, but they’re honestly only a dwarf compared to their larger cousins. Why not increase the range of varieties you can grow by incorporating Supercolumns into your garden?

The key difference when summer pruning is to leave several shorter new shoots, about a secateur’s length (20cm/8in) or less, unpruned every year. With our helpful tips and advice, you can enjoy delicious, juicy fruit straight from your mini orchard in no time! When fruit trees are grown and trained in this specific way, you can grow far more fruit in a far smaller area – so this can be a great way to make the most of your space.If you are growing in the ground, make sure that you have amended the soil with plenty of organic matter, and provided fertile and weed-free soil. Varieties of the ballerina series quickly became popular because they were fruitful, required almost no maintenance and had an attractive new growing shape. They can be spaced as close as 60-90cm (2-3ft) apart and are also ideal planted in containers on a sunny patio or balcony. They are easy to maintain, but the flavour is arguably not as good as many mainstream apple varieties. Covered with pure white flowers in mid-spring, followed by delicious, juicy, yellowish green fruits.

The traditional support system, especially for oblique cordons or if planting several vertical cordons, is a series of three horizontal wires 60cm (2ft) apart, with the lowest wire 30cm (1ft) from the ground. They also produce fruit with full, intense flavor and are available in a greater number of types and varieties.Look forward to watching delicious fruit grow from the comfort and convenience of your own garden Our Column Fruit Trees were first developed for Queen Elizabeth and her children by a gardener working for the British royal family. Even self-pollinating varieties will produce a better yield and higher-quality fruit when they're cross-polinated. But I still decided to pick all the fruits from my columnar apple trees just to make sure that I didn't miss out on them. However, new breeds such as ‘Trajan’ or the dual red currant ‘Dulina’ with white and red berries make it particularly easy.

Her expertise in cultivating vegetables, flowers, and fruits is backed by extensive experience over the years.Is a descriptive term that encompasses the columnar growing method and is not actually a varietal term or brand name and can apply to any of the above. If free-standing, sturdy bamboo canes are sufficient support, as the trees are usually much less vigorous than if planted in the ground. Pollination: Choose a suitable pollination partner when planting your favourite apple cultivars to ensure cross-pollination. Sometimes you will get fruits the first summer even, with trees settling to regular cropping from year two.

Pillar fruit trees are perfect for gardeners having limited space or the ones who want to grow fruits in containers on patios, balconies, or small gardens. In the case of stone fruit trees (plums, apricots, cherries), the ideal time for pruning is just after harvest. Think about the needs of the plants, and whether the location you are considering will provide them with what they need. Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture.This has enabled some species of tree to thrive in areas where they may otherwise have died out altogether. On the other hand, if you desire a wider variety of apple types or want to experiment with more intricate pruning methods, traditional apple trees may be more suitable for you. The attractive bright red flushed fruits have a crisp yet melting flesh with plenty of juice and excellent flavour. Before you start, examine the existing structure and make any necessary repairs to ensure it’s in good condition using garden repairing tools.