New research* from PlantforLife reveals the trend for ‘grow your own’ has more than doubled, with over half (54%) admitting they now choose to grow their own, compared to just one fifth (22%) two years ago. Yet, despite this growing phenomenon, the research shows less than two fifths of UK gardeners (36%) grow fruit trees and shrubs, preferring vegetables and salad crops instead.
This is why PlantforLife and the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have teamed up with celebrity plantsman, Chris Collins to champion the next phase of ‘grow your own’ gardening by educating people with simple tips on how easy it is to plant and grow fruit trees and berries.
Planting fruit trees
- Prepare your fruit tree by soaking the roots before planting.
- Find a sunny but sheltered spot to plant your tree as this will maximise the time your fruit has to ripen.
- Dig a hole about a third wider than the tree roots and to the same depth as the roots. Place the tree into the hole and make sure the soil is firm around the tree. Once planted, top the base up with well rotted organic matter.
- If you are growing your tree in a container, fill half of it with soil-based potting compost and place your tree on top. When happy with its position, fill around the sides making sure the plant is firmly in place.
- Prune your fruit tree in late winter or early spring to encourage further flowering and fruiting.
Planting berry shrubs
- Choose the ideal location in your garden to plant your berry shrub. Blackberries and raspberries prefer a sunnier site whilst blueberries, strawberries and cranberries can grow in partial shade.
- Dig a hole into the soil and make sure it is well-drained and full of rich, organic matter such as compost or manure. Some shrubs will require a support system to grow, such as a sturdy fence or trellis.
- Plant your berries into the ground, once planted feed with a mulch and water well. To encourage growth cut the stems by approximately ten inches.
- Prune the berry shrubs each year after fruiting to ensure regular crops of berries in the years to follow.
- Pick your berries as they ripen and cover with netting to protect them from insects and birds.
Top maintenance tips
- If you are planting fruit trees in the ground, ensure the soil has good drainage so the trees don’t get waterlogged.
- Fruit trees and berry shrubs need different soil to grow, so ask your local garden centre for the best variety for the fruit you are planting.
- Prepare your soil well in advance of purchasing your fruit trees and berries.
- Allow fruit to ripen on the tree or shrub and gently squeeze it before picking to check that
it’s ready to eat. - For a small garden, consider dwarf trees such as apples, cherries and plums.
Whilst the research highlights a lack of fruit growing in the UK, when asked, almost two thirds (62%) agree they would like to grow their own fruit trees and berries. From the list, strawberries were deemed the fruit of choice (24%), followed by apples and raspberries.
But, when asked why people didn’t plant fruit trees and berries in their gardens, the research reveals that:
- 39% don’t think they have enough space to plant
- Almost a third (29%) confess they haven’t considered fruit trees and berries when growing their own
- And, almost a quarter (23%) admit they just don’t know what varieties they can grow in their garden.
Commenting on the findings, David Gilchrist from the Horticultural Trades Association says:
“Despite the surge in grow your own gardening, many people still overlook the possibilities of home grown fruits and berries. But, there is an increasing number of tasty, unusual fruit such as gooseberries and loganberries that will happily grow in the UK climate. Growing your own fruit can be very rewarding – not only does it taste better, but is friendly to the environment and more importantly, you know where it’s come from”.
Celebrity plantsman, Chris Collins comments, “Small fruits and berries are nutritious, easy to grow at home and relatively low-maintenance, but planting them is a long-term commitment and it can take several seasons before fruit is seen. As the greatest abundance of fruit tends to appear in late summer and early autumn, it’s important to plant them during the autumn and early winter”.
* Market research conducted in August 2009 by One Poll. 2,000 people were interviewed.
