Have you noticed recently how many times we are being told to take a good look at our current lifestyles? The amount of information appearing in the media which is aimed at getting us to lead a more healthy life is absolutely incredible. All kinds of diets and exercise plans are constantly being developed to entice us to eat healthier and take more exercise on a regular basis. As we are continually being told to eat more fresh fruit it would make sense to grow our own fruit trees in our backyard but if you only have a small space there may be a few problems to consider.
A great many of us understand that the fresher the fruit the healthier it is for us. Unfortunately the longer fruit is stored the lesser the vitamin and mineral content. Although most of us are beginning to understand the many advantages of eating organic produce the additional cost often means that few of us can afford the luxury. Happily, by growing fruit trees in our backyards, we can produce 100% organic fruit that is the freshest possible (we pick it and immediately eat it).
Most of us live in an urban environment where it is common to have backyards which offer only a very small space in which to create a garden. Such backyards are unsuitable for large mature trees which can be the cause of many problems. The roots can damage foundations, branches can push against walls and windows and they also block light. The most obvious problem is that such a large item in a small space will simply look ridiculous.
It is surprising what can be created in such a small space as an urban backyard. Professional garden designers can create truly spectacular gardens in the smallest possible space. However, if you can not afford professional services it is perfectly possible to design a garden yourself. To create a suitable design you will need to spend a little time investigating which plants will be most suitable for use in small spaces.
Even in the smallest space it is possible to design a garden that has a few fruit trees. A fruit tree can add great beauty in any garden and can act as a focal point. Throughout the year a fruit tree will change and at each season the tree will looks incredible. In spring a fruit tree will produce masses of blossom which, when fertilized, will develop into small fruits. During the summer the fruit will grow until ripe and by fall they will be ready for harvest.
In recent decades there have been a number of advances in the creation of dwarf fruit tree varieties. A dwarf tree is created by grafting the main stem of the tree into a dwarf root stock which severely limits the growth. At one time the use of a dwarf root stock called M27 was popular but now M9 is used instead. M9 has two distinct advantages. Firstly M9 is far more reliable than M27 but it manages to create a tree which is smaller but produces more fruit.
Modern compact fruit trees can be used in small backyards as the dwarf variety produces a large amount of fruit from the smallest of bushes. A dwarf fruit tree will rarely be larger than 1.8m high but the growth can be limited still further by planting it in a container. By following an annual pruning regime you can restrict the growth while retaining a suitable shape.
Amongst the most useful of fruit trees for the gardener with only a small space for a backyard, is the spur apple tree. While the tree can still grow up to 1.8m high it has such an upright habit that it often looks rather strange covered in a multitude of ripened apples.
You are not just limited to dwarf fruit trees, no, there are a large number of different fruits available in dwarf varieties such as pears, peaches, nectarines, figs, cherries, Kiwi fruit, plums and hazelnuts.
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