How to Quickly Grow Fruit Trees in the Backyard Orchard
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Here I explain our secret for quickly growing fruit trees in our backyard orchard. These are fruit trees bought from a box store and this is how we get them to quickly and consistently produce fruit. This method works especially well with clay soil. Planting fruit trees in your backyard ensures that you have a reliable food forest for generations to come.
How to make weed fertilizer for plants: • How to Make Weed Ferti...
Our homemade potting soil recipe: • Make Homemade Potting ...
If you would like to see more of our content, like, share or subscribe. You may also see what we get up to on a daily basis by visiting our Facebook page, Nutty Gnome Homestead.
#backyardorchard #fruittree #fruittrees #foodforest #foodforests #appletrees #appletree #peartree #peachtree #plumtree #gardenhacks #gardenhack #gardeningtip #savemoney #weeding #homestead #farming #gardening #gardeningtip #greenhouse #selfsuffiency #homesteading #farming #farmlife #homesteadadvice #prepping #preppingonabudget #seeds #seedstarting #gardeningforbeginners #urbangardening #smallfarm #smallfarming #homesteadfamily #greenhouse #urbangardening #growingplants #growingplants #squarefootgardening #farmtofork #organicgardening #organicgardens
To keep Deer away from any garden or orchard just run 30lb clear mono film fishing line about 18 inches high off ground. Then about every 8 ft tie on 1 foot of surveyor ribbon. they slow down at the ribbon and can't see the fishing line. When they touch the fishing line it freaks them out and they will not pass, and cant jump what they can't see. I have used this for years without any deer what so ever come into my garden. Thanks for the planting tips.... Kevin
That's a good idea. I'll have to try it. Thanks
I always pick the fruit off the first couple years to give the trees time to establish and avoid weak limbs and I plant apple, plum, American Chestnut, oaks, pawpaws, persimmon and about anything else you can imagine every year. Like the video!
Yes, it is hard to do sometimes. But, the rewards are worth it.
So one of the problems with doing the hole this way, is that the roots grow easily in the compost but won't penetrate the hard clay. In five or so years the tree is totally root bound. Often when they die and you pull them up, there is a very tight root ball the exact size of the original hole just like when they come out of a pot that they have been in to long.
At least, rough up the sides of the hole.
That's exactly what happens with fruit trees that are planted in compost. Ideally, a little bit of compost can go in when planting, but it's much better to dress the tree with compost after planting so that nutrients are released slowly; this forces the tree to expand its roots. Also, fall planting is fine for southern areas, but spring will give the trees more time to establish roots before it's too cold here in the north country.
This can be the case in some instances. roughing the holes edges, a little bit of amendment in the hole and top dressing can help give the trees a better chance. Some of the trees on the orchard had to be moved a few years ago, and the roots were very impressive. Many of these trees are on their 7-8 years in the ground here. We are constantly working towards bettering our soils.
Thank you for this tip
This can be remedied by mixing compost into native soil which will stimulate roots to go out. However, plants will spread roots naturally with normal environmental pressures. If it dries out plants will expand roots to search for water.
@@nuttygnomehomesteadDig up one of those 7 year trees and show us RUclipsrs the root ball or lack thereof. Surely RUclips monetization of the video will cover your tree cost, the loss of yield, & some left to buy a couple new trees. For educational purposes. Please please do it. I’ll help drive traffic to the video. Cheers.
I really like your idea of planting. Thank you this is very smart
Good job! Thanks for sharing your insights.
I planted both my apple trees in 42” wide 17” high raised beds haha. I control everything now :)
Great video. I'm going to try this with my new fruit trees
Should be square hole so roots break through corners and don't spiral. Should also plant them high because you don't want them to settle low which can lead to trouble. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely we always ensure our trees are above the graft line. I have had to dig up several trees a few years ago to move them in our orchard. None of the roots were spiraled.
@@nuttygnomehomestead yeah the square hole vs circle is a myth, but something to consider is to mix the compost/potting mix with the clay you took out of the hole. the reason i learned from another tree planting video is if the soil you plant the tree in is way nicer than the clay it eventually has to grow into, the tree will be reluctant to do so and can cause the tree's roots to coil around in the rich dirt. that is why people think its because the hole was round.
I roughen/score the walls of the hole.
I also make my hole a lot wider.
@@kathleenredick275 that sounds dirty.... :P
@@noyoudontgettoknow8586 😂😂
Make your own tree tubes with clear poly roofing, two sheets drill small holes down each edge, wire or zip tie together. Any size tree tube you need.
For deer get the Orbit motion activated sprinklers around perimeter (and a trail cam because deer reactions are cartoon level hilarious).
Add 2-3" of mulch on top of soil, your trees will be very happy.
When I plant my trees I leave the root ball one to two inches above ground in December about 4 months in April i have a few small fruits starting to show I'm in mid Mississippi red clay soil
13:00
Deer 🦌 avoid areas where they smell 👃🏻 Human (hang a bag of Hair that you can get at any hair salon.
Also, a wind driven noise maker can help.
Super Cool video! Loved the content and just subscribed!
Thank you!
Where do you buy your Arkansas black apples question mark I live in St Louis and cannot get Macintosh to grow very well because I have a lot of trees to put off that rust
Occasionally the box stores have them locally. I ordered mine online.
Good info! Thx!
You are welcome
kinda feel sorry for it. < -- Love that!
what state are you in to give us more background, SW Florida here, alot of sand, small amount soil
We are in Southern Illinois, zone 7A
I’ve given up on growing anything, the bloody squirrels are stripping everything bare before they are ripe.
Don't give up. I plan on doing a video on how we mitigate squirrel, deer, and raccoon damage later this year.
They may be thirsty, try setting up a bird bath or just put a large planter saucer on the ground nearby and fill it every day with fresh water; then they may be less likely to take a bite out of fruit. You can also add some hot sauce to water in a spray bottle and spray it on to deter them and deer.
Get some cats
We have new barefoot apples coming in a month or two… I need to find a way to protect them from voles!
I am in southeast Idaho… high desert mountains
Have been told to wrap the deep holes 6-12 inches deep with 1/8” hard wire
And then wrap the tree in hardwire as well…
6:41
Yes, lol, however.....as kittens they will be swinging on the branches....mine have broken branches on several fruit trees....can't win!
I don’t have rabbits but I do have cows. Can I do the same with cow manure?
Cow manure needs to be composted before being used due to weed seeds. I like to compost my cow manure for 6-9 months with wood chips and grass clippings. This tends to get it hot enough to kill the weed seeds.
Cow and horse manure good. Compost for 6 months min, keep lightly moist. OR soak the manure in construction tub for a few weeks. Rot out the weed seeds and beware the high acid ph. Dilute 2 parts water-1 part tea The tea makes good fertilizer, both on soil and/or aerial spray. Shred the well soaked manure to mix in garden, top off pots. Worm love it.
Hi , i recently bought persian lime tree from home depot its foot or more in height, should i plant it ground or wait n potted up bigger pot as scale till it gets bigger? I live in Houston tx.
I'm a big fan of sizing the pot to the plant. When I started my lemon tree, it was in a 1 gallon pot. Then I upgraded to a 5 gallon bucket. And then finally to a 25 gallon mineral tub. That allows me to keep a better adjustment on the soil. And it's easier to move around.
Hi. Houston TX too. Plant your lime in soil. Now okay. Make certain hole is draining good. Nice 1' wide donut mulch 8 " from trunk. If wilted in morning needs some water. Keep calendar of rain. Use a good organic mulch, none of that dyed stuff. Feed every few months w microlife, rabbit, chicken litter, guinea pig manure. Prepare to protect from any freeze, low temp, below 34°. Lightweight frost cloth cover, surround base w bags of oak leaves. After low temps return to 40's, uncover, remove bags. Keep trees below 7-10' to easily cover yr after yr. Contrary to the warming hype, Houston winters are increasingly erratic with frequent hard freezes. It's worth the effort to cover and protect your citrus. One grapefruit tree can yield 50 delicious juicy fruit. Sure go ahead and plant your little tree. Do it right and maybe put a white 1' high clrcle fencing to protect from traffic. Give her a name and keep a planting journal. Your little lime is now a member of the family. 🌱
Too bad Iowa farmers didn't think about topsoil instead of money and chemicals, oh and the check in the mailbox(no tax)
Here in Southern Illinois, we are seeing more farmers move to cover crops to help build soils and reduce the application of fertilizer and weed killer.
I did all that. 3 years ago. Still no flowers or friut.
Some trees take more time than others. Nurseries will tell you they can fruit in 1-2 years when 3-5 is more likely. The tree needs time to establish and mature before setting quality fruit.
Bad idea, anyone will tell you, dig hole and only put the dirt you dug out to fill back in. Compost will just make the roots stay in that area. They won't spread out. In few years those trees will die
Thank you for your comment. However, I will disagree that the roots will only stay in the compost. At one point a few years ago, some of these trees had to be moved. When they were dug up, we had to cut through many roots several feet past the original hole. These trees are all thriving today.
You also shouldn’t plant trees close to your foundation or they can cause issues. So which is it? Are roots weak and refused to grow out into hard compact soils, or are they strong enough to break concrete?
Yes..I found out the hard way. I did the same things that he did and they were beautiful and productive but they died suddenly..all plums and peach trees died. After a few years. When u know better u do better..
@@nuttygnomehomestead Hey man, he's right. Especially with clay soil. Fill your hole back up with clay and put your compost on top, then dress it with mulch 👍
Filling a clay hole up with compost could also cause root rot
I assure you that clay rich soils contain plenty of nutrients. All I have is clay and sedimentary rock and everything I have planted (that is indigenous) thrives very well.
I agree. Clay soils are fundamentally the finest soil mix one can have in their garden and orchards...but the proportions are 40 clay/40 sand/20 black rich compost soil. This mix is a great target to aim for. Lots of hard work will pay off in future growing seasons.
I always use a wrecking bar to losen up the clay on the bottom and add two pails of coarse sand. Then mix all that together. This allows the roots of the fruit trees to go deeper. Works like a charm.
Im really loving my soil right now. Im in Massachusetts, i have big rocks that i usually have to dig out. BUT my soil is super dark. Looks like compost and every time I dig i hit tons of earthworms. I went to fertilize my fruit trees and so i moved the mulch to get to the top of the roots and soon as i move the mulch wow. It was like a worm farm. Very happy.
That is awesome! It definitely helps if you have good soil to start with.
Did you do anything to your soil or was it always awesome like that?
I'm so envious...here in southerm Ohio, my ground in zone 6B is poor....not enough good topsoil....the glaciers didn't make it down this far pushing the good topsoil....
Unfortunately you created an in ground “pot” for the tree. In the future you should put 50% of the soil back into the hole with your soil recipe. The roots will grow extremely well for the first 5 years and when the roots hit that clay soil they will start to choke itself out because it’s used to “stress free soil.” It’s never had to grow into thick tough clay and will take the path of least resistant and turn on its self. Also I’d recommend making the hole 3x the root ball size (for areas of clay soil) in width as well. Hope that’s helps and happy growing. (Just want ya to get the most from your trees)
You obviously never seen a full grown trees roots they are gonna stretch the size of the tree sir actually 😅
Roots can break rocks. Nature finds its way
I’m guessing neither of ya have generations of tree farms or homesteads but can agree that native trees are more resilient and can adapt to the soil conditions. He’s planting a pre grow fruit tree farmed in a precondition orchard, and most are diligently treated to favorable growing conditions, and if you haven’t conditioned the trees to your soil they will choke themselves out within 5-10 years and you will loose at least 5 years of fruit harvest. But best of luck to ya
Clay gets soft and slick when saturated. The roots can penetrate it. I see countless trees growing wild in clay soil in my area that are big and healthy.
We just planted 24 varieties of fruit trees this spring. I agree we prefer to plant in fall but we just moved to our homestead here late summer...we have clay too and our garden soil had to be mixed with sand and a mixture of similar things you mixed yours with. The deer here are very aggressive so we did plan that extra mile and wrapped the tree with ten feet of 7 ft fencing with chicken wire around the bottom to keep rabbits out as well. We learned the hard way at our other place we lost about 8 out of our 12 fruit trees deers munching them down. It was a lot of work but worth it. We tamped three t bars into the ground and wrapped the wire fencing around the t bars. Some of our trees may need burlap wrapped around the fencing in winter we get -35 f at times.
There is a method called 'Hugelkultur' from Germany in the mountainous regions (we used this method to amazing results). The hole is dug a little deeper and wider. Soak roots of tree for an hour. Pour couple gallons water into hole. We gather rotted tree branches and small stumps and that becomes first layer on bottom, then composted soil mix on top, then layer of soaked cardboard, then soil, then tree. Wouldn't hurt to add composted manure in between the soil.
We learned that its the organisms in the soil that are alive and seeking starches from the tree roots in exchange for predigested minerals, that create the condition of strong immunity of the tree. When a tree is strong and healthy, pests and their larvae are not attracted to this tree, but they are drawn to a distressed and struggling tree especially those tree never pruned.
careful with a round hole, and too much foreign stuff in hole , first let tree establish then feed
Дружище, ты такую ерунду придумал конечно. Это очень дорого на один саженец и вопрос а эффективнее ли? Я копаю на глубину 15 см добавляю тачку компота и перемешивание его с верхним слоем ставлю саженец и ещё 2 тачки перегноя еасыпаю с верху, потом мульчирую саженец толстым слоем сена. С помощью такого метода даже самый плохой саженец придивается и прекрасно растёт. Я живу в 4b зоне и имею хороший сад орехов яблонь слив вишни
I am retired in California. Now I am looking for modest home in suburban, where I can grow my own fruit garden and keep chickens.
May I ask is there any affordable homes with space for garden in were you live?
It's mostly farm land here. Occassionally you can find a house in the country with a little bit of land. But those are usually sold before they even hit the market. It's an absolute blessing I was able to get my farm.
I have 20yr old peach and apple trees planted in NC clay with no amendments. Just sayin…
Clay holds onto nutrients. Not saying the trees won't grow in clay, but it's easy to amend the soil to make those nutrients more readily available. As a Forester & Farmer, we are always trying to make our soil healthier. If not for us, then for the future generations.
@@nuttygnomehomestead got ya..
Thanks
I used to work for Lowe's. When they asked me to stop watering the plants n go sanitize shopping carts...
I walked off the job. 🤦😭 😂It was during covid so I volunteered, but I never expected it to interfere w watering.❤🤦😅
When u shop at these garden centers, u r saving plants from the garbage. 🙏😅
I appreciate this show of Love. It takes time to gather all of those things n free the roots, n whatnot. U show Love for what u do. U tucked that tree in like a newborn. 😘🙌 Thanks for posting. I'm going to find ur compost video . 🙏Asé
Just discovered this EXCELLENT channel and just subscribed. Enjoyed your video!
Thank you very much
Eww thats nasty, the water doesnt drain. So the soil is super compacted and the worst. I would use power machinery to dig holes and buy a large pile of dirt. It may cost 100, $200 but you will get that back in fruit production I garner. I'm a digger, landscaper and gardener, grew up on a farm. So I do it by hand but thats something your going to need assistance. Its possible to dig deeper and wider but requires time and huge effort and you'll pull a muscle even if you do it daily like me, its hard frickin work by hand and not much to come of it. But power equipment make short work of this and makes up for disadvantageous start, the tree will thank you long term and bear fruit and provide. Waterlogged soil hmm pawpaws might do ok.
I honestly see trees and plants as life. I actually feel sad when i see a plant fell in the store & is laying on the floor. Also ill go around like an employee and just lossen the dam tags because every time i check out fruit trees, the tags are all choking the tree and ill losen them all & i apologize to the trees for others not fixing it lmao. I do though
The tags do irritate me. I hate seeing trees with the tag so tight it starts girdling the tree.
I thought I was the only person that felt that way. I thought about volunteering to just water these tree in stores!
me too😊
I feel so bad when the plants and trees aren't watered in the stores, I don't understand why they bother even selling them if they don't care that they die.
@@gailsegal6843 same. It hurts me seeing that stuff. It makes me want to ask to keep it since I would take care of it better than they do.
Eww thats nasty, the water doesnt drain. So the soil is super compacted and the worst. I would use power machinery to dig holes and buy a large pile of dirt. It may cost 100, $200 but you will get that back in fruit production I garner. I'm a digger, landscaper and gardener, grew up on a farm. So I do it by hand but thats something your going to need assistance. Its possible to dig deeper and wider but requires time and huge effort and you'll pull a muscle even if you do it daily like me, its hard frickin work by hand and not much to come of it. But power equipment make short work of this and makes up for disadvantageous start, the tree will thank you long term and bear fruit and provide. Waterlogged soil hmm pawpaws might do ok.
Ive grown fruit trees for 20 years all ages, as expanding the orchard through time. Always fertilize under the tree, then add a bit of dirt so it doesnt touch the roots and the new roots grow into it. .
That rootball was fine, lots of feeder roots that he destroyed,without and large roots circling the bottom. If you do see circiling roots at the bottom, cut them by 1/2. My career was growing fruit trees.
Good advice. What fertilizer do you use?
Make sure you dont cover graft point with dirt or it will turn back into a crab apple
Deer will eat that sob down to the graft if u dont set up wire around it. Takes little effort to keep the tree protected from wildlife. I laughed at him saying "we scare the deer away when we see them"😂
Idiot deer favorite food! Can't be here 24 hrs!!!
@@Maugwabest method (affordable) for keeping out deer from new fruit trees, please? We cannot afford a fence around the perimeter right now.
Great video!l and helpful info. I used to use rabbit manure in the base of every hole I dug for transplants - whether trees or vegetables.
Your video reminded of this - I need to reach out to the fellow I used to buy manure from.
My trees are already in, so I'll have to try digging around the tree base to add manure.
Rabbit manure is worth its weight in gold. That stuff does wonders for all of my plants.
"Great Channel, Instruction,
Instructor !"
Thank You Great Shepherd !"❤
😁👍
Thank you
Try planting Rosemary around the edges of the orchard to deter the deer.
Plant fruit trees in the fall not in May/Summer!!!!!!
Yes, I do prefer to plant in late summer or fall. However, working multiple jobs, I plant when it is convenient for us.
May you be blessed from all yer hard work. I just got 8 fruit trees put in, just heard of permaculture orchard...trying that route. Nitrogen fixer then 2 trees & another nitrogen fixer, & so on. 2 shrubs between trees, on treeline, also 10-15 edible perennials around @ tree. Working on shrubs & perennials now. Stefan out of Southern Quebec is a great teacher on subject. I'm excited to get my hands back in the dirt !
There is nothing more therapeutic than getting your hands dirty. All of your hard work now will pay off big dividends later. Take pride in your hard work, you've earned it.
You never plant a tree in organic matter/compost, That never happens in Nature, Tree's don't fall in the forest and grind themselves up into pieces it's takes decades, but Miracle grow is doing it and calling it potting soil. Some Nursery's are switching to pine bark because it decomposes slower then the potting soil mixes that are mostly ground up bark/tree's and cause rot in a few months because your growing plants in finely ground up tree's that decomposes at an extremely fast rate. Plants don't grow in dead plants, mushrooms do.
So why would you dig a hole a put dead trees ( organic matter/compost) in it, then plant a tree a top?? Compost should always be used ON TOP of soil like in Nature. That compost will make a swamp layer above that clay and cause problems in the future. Mother nature does Not put compost under tree's , it's broken down on the ground surface and Mycorrhizal fungi release the nutrients for the tree. Dead leaves are the best plant/tree food. Cover your garden with 5 inches of leaves at the end of every year and you will see how letting Mother nature do its job works. No need for all this just put compost or leaves on TOP of your soil and grow in Sandy Loam
you can strategically use some gypsum in your land if you have clay soil.
Absolutely! Gypsum is great for clay soil.
Wow learned a lot. Subscribed. Thanks. I was amazed over the angle of the branches and that you mentioned how you could use weights to make the branches 90 degrees. Made sense. Thanks. I want to buy a plum tree next month and was very interested in this.
Thank you!
Need to add biochar and this soil will stay great for many many years to come
Untangling the roots from the pot add some compost but needs the natural soil it will be living in. Add compost and fertilizer 2x a year. Water well.
Nice video. I suggest one thing. Before putting soil, make small holes in the bottom with crow bar or some iron rod. At the cent make a big hole with rod and rotate the rod so that it makes a canonical hole then put the soil. Roots will pernitrate into those holes and holds tight. It will give extra strength to the plant. I do with my plants like Mangos, Guava etc. Also it is better to put some stones. Roots will catch the stones and become strong. Plant will stand still for high winds.
That's a good idea.
I just bought a couple fruit trees and I'm excited to get them in the ground. Thanks for the tips!
You are welcome! What kind of trees did you get?
what location is this in? we are in zone 8 b down in NC.. I am very piqued by what you have done. thank you for the detailed video !! congrats on working this on horse pasture .. we have to take what our developoers and builders have done - basically strip everything before they dumped sheet rock bits and shards and nails and stuff - sift through and rejuvenate our yard ..
same! And then they drove over it 1000 times with a bulldozer and compacted it to the point it may as well be concrete!
We're in zone 7a. Southern Illinois
Tree borers is very bad where we live..even with spraying my trees every spring
I was at Lowe's yesterday. All of their berry bushes were dead! They let them just dry up and die. How is that cost effective to anyone?
That's such a waste
I have noticed that myself everywhere I go, the plants are all dying from lack of water.
I definitely learned first hand about air pockets. Had leaves keep dying till i got that corrected
It happens, ive done the same thing. Glad you got it figured out.
Can you elaborate about gaps of air? Don't you want nicely aerated soil? I can see huge gaps being problems but isn't aerated soil good?
@@richc.2968 , yes absolutely, but aeration isn't something you control. When you put enough things into the ground you tend to realize what watering in the plant actually does. You gotta settle the roots calmly. You can't just drop a plug of dirt and plant in the hole and cover. That's the best way to look at it. Cover. It's not filling in which watering in does.
Is Epsom salt good for fruit trees. Also i need to ask, I have 2 fruit trees (orange tree and a lemon tree. I need to dig them up and replant them, i planted them to close together. They are only about a year old stll small, I was in a hurry at the time i planted them. I was afraid they were going to die if i didn't get them in the ground at the time. I had planned on diggtgem up and planting them in a spot for permanently, and, but now im afraid to move them. I don't want them to blend in together. Would it ruin the tasrof the fruit. I really like your video. Please let me now.
I have limited experience with citrus trees except for my myer lemon. However, I have successfully dug up and transplanted fruit trees up to 3 years old.
Deer destroyed all 30 of our apple trees. Starting over now but running shock wire! Too expensive to do it a 3rd time. Used so many suggestions but the wire is really the only way.
Agreed. Now I have to worry about the squirrels and raccoons ravaging my trees and not the deer.
He should really start putting down Calcium onto the whole area to losen the magnesium bonds of the clay to allow the clay to become soft
Excellent information.....truly appreciate your video....The common sense approach, your speaking and sound levels are excellent. Thank you.
Thank you for the feedback
Hi, What do you do with the weathered soil? Also, have you looked into creating Tierra Negra like the natives of Amazonia?
With our heavily weathered soil, we try to build the soils naturally. Cover crops, compost, Manure, rotational grazing, etc. I've been amazed at how quickly soils change with a few years of cover crops.
No offense, but isn't amending the planting hole exactly what horticulturists warn us _not_ to do, especially in clay soil? It's like planting in a pot with poor drainage: Over time, your tree roots will struggle to adapt to your native clay; stay in the hole, where conditions are optimal, rather than extend out; and circle around each other. If you must amend, amend the _entire_ area, like 4 feet (or wider) from the stem.
Not exactly. We are giving the tree the best possible chance to thrive in an adverse condition. These trees are severely stressed when they come from the nursery. To take a stressed tree, and plan it in the poor soil is a recipe for disaster. By amending the soil in the root hole, we are giving our tree a chance to thrive before tackling the clay. As a Forester, we try to look at overall ecosystem health. Soil improvement, to benefit the trees, trees to benefit use and wildlife. Our orchard was started nearly a decade ago. We are constantly attempting to improve the soil for the betterment of our trees. Cover crops, compost, etc go a long way in naturally improving a soils overall health thus benefiting our orchard.
In addition the tree ball will sink as the organic matter breaks down.
Put a fish under the hole . all thats needed
Correct and they fall
Over easy during-storms
@@africancichlids3011this works very well for many plants 🌱
I’m in Midwest Georgia and I can’t find a way to keep worms out of my plums 🤬🤦🏻♂️
Lots of plums this year but worms in all of them. I sprayed them 2 times, help me please
Neem oil is my go to. If that doesn't work, Bonide fruit tree spray is a good all around insecticide.
Great video! I learned a lot sir! Keep making videos!
Great video! i was wondering though how do you keep the base around the trees clear of weeds and grass? do you mulch at all?
We have used landscape fabric for weed control. Typically by the time it breaks down and needs replaced, the tree is well established.
I just planted Persian lime, great Fruit, mango here in zone 9 question is how many years before producing fruit maybe they were in a gallon container Thanks
My Meyer lemon produced the very first year. However, to help establish a good root system I picked all the fruit off the first year. This allows them to establish well into their container before they begin to set fruit.
I have lots of food in the spring between the squirrels and the wind we lost over 70% of our fruit. Any suggestions?
Squirrels can be a pain. Our dog keeps most critters away. Occasionally, we will trap some fruit thiefs in the orchard. As for the wind, short of providing a windbreak there isn't much you can do.
Thanks for the information. I have a question on what do you do for the roots when they grow through the soil you put down and into the native clay soil?
Nothing, they will continue to grow into the clay. As a Forester, I've planted 10's of thousands of trees never had a problem with roots circling a hole like some have claimed.
Have you ever fermented yeast and sugar together to feed your trees and garden with? It helps them in the heat and actually makes them taste better. I used it for the first time on my date trea and these dates taste awesome. Sweeeet. I am using it on my pecan trees too. So I will find out next month on how they taste.
I have not. I will definitely be looking into it though
I have hard clay soil as well in south Texas and follow the exact same steps with great results (fruit in second year mostly). It helps the tree get established faster instead of fighting for its life. Great video!
That's awesome. It really does make a difference in the overall health and production of the tree.
I have hard clay soil as well in south Louisiana. One thing I do different is I take as much of the top soil as I can get and some of the native clay from the hole I dug, throw it in a wheelbarrow and break it up into smaller pieces and do a 50/50 mix with my mix. As far as the water not draining, I use a plumbers probe and pop a few holes in the bottom to allow for faster draining. I also plant the tree about 4-6 inches higher than the ground level to allow for settling. So far it seems to be working like a charm
@@nuttygnomehomestead you should look into Korean natural farming it has things that help with hard clay soil using bacteria and fungus(the good kind)that is found in nature that can help soften the soil and fight bad bacteria and fungus in the soil it can also be used in many other was in farms if you raise animals that smell bad if can be used to remove the smell or at least lessen it
How do you collect rabbit poop? Are these rabbits caged? I have a ton all over the yard but don’t have the first clue how to find there poop to use it.
Yes we raise several hundred rabbits annually for fur, food, and fertilizer. We collect enough for us to use as well as enough to sell around a literal ton each year.
I see lots of opinions in these comments. Well we all know what they say about them. Has their been any scientific studies performed at our colleges and universities that show definitively what works best when planting in certain types of soil?
Yes. Orchard soils and orchard soil management have been studied all around the world. Many peer-reviewed journal articles can be found on the topic. as a scientist, we are always trying to improve soils to help the trees (or crops) produce better. The thing about soil science is they are very regional, and local on a scale down to meters. What works in one spot may not work a mile down the road.
That’s exactly how I planted my fruit trees because my yard has very hard clay and you have to make it easier for the roots to grow strong and then they can go through the clay
Absolutely. We are always trying to improve our soil. We had gypsum and organic matter when we can. This helps break up the clay. We also plant cover crops that adds organic matter as well
I'm in Dallas Texas, what fruit trees would you recommend for my area?
Look for trees that are suitable for your zone. With us Being in zone 7a, what works here may not work for you. I would imagine there are apples, citrus, figs, pears, and more well suited for Texas. Also consider chill hours required for the trees to set fruit. Local nurseries will be able to answer your question with recommendations suited for your area.
How do you keep the bugs/insects and wasps off the fruit to keep it healthy and edible? We had fruit on our tree the second year but it was eaten by wasps. Peach tree in west Texas. Thanks
We like neem oil for pest control. Kaolin clay can be sprayed on the fruit to help prevent them from eating/boring into them. If wasp are an issue, hang a brown paper bag in a location close to the orchard. It mimics a hornet's nest, and hornets prey on wasp. Works well in your shop/garage too for wasp deterrent.
@@nuttygnomehomesteadthanks! We also had bores on our Red Oak that was a few years old and pretty much killed it. It is about 13’ tall and has 2-3 branches that are producing leaves. I dug up some around the bottom and the soil has white almost powdered looking substance about 5-6” down.
Learned that if you will pop off a few firecrackers you won't have time worry about the deer
Every night?
Good man, good video, snazzy shoes just like mine
God bless you and your family Brother ✝️
Thank you!
Are you sure the root will not ROT from all that organic matter the root is buried in.....
I'm sure. Many of the trees in the orchard have been there for about a decade.
Excellent information. Thank you
That is the same that I have found, no longer are they using soil in potted trees or rose bushes, or berry bushes
Yes, it's those wood chips/shredded bark. A month sitting in the hot sun at the store and they look pitiful.
Have you ever had an issue with the tree becoming root bound in the hole with all the loose easy soil? Do you have experience with it eventually breaking through the clay soil? Logically, it would make sense that the roots would eventually branch out and go through the clay soil to avoid turning on itself and dying.
No, many of the trees in Our orchard are going on 10 years in the ground. We have even dug up and moved a couple of the trees. Yes, they eventually expand into the heavy clay soil.
How far south are you? Started building my home orchard and vineyard in southern IL also. Upto 25 or so planted and 15 personal grafts il plant next year if they take.
We are in zone 7A. There are lots of orchards and wineries around here. Sounds like you are well on your way for getting an orchard started.
Yeah I think I'm on the new verge of 7a. But still 6b like I was last year.
Their isn't many more towns south of me in IL. I'm way down here
@@newbie_nugs Southern illinois here also. Union county. They changed our grow zone from 6b to 7a early this year. Used to be zone 7a started just north of Ullin where the hills end. Now 7a has extended north. I have planted 3 apple trees and a peach tree like 4 years ago. they seem to be doing great without any maintenance. gonna try different fruit trees this year.
How many years of growth do you have for reference with this method?
These trees have been planted between 1-6 years. All of our trees are grafted, which allows us to harvest fruit sooner. Being grafted, we typically seen fruit the 2nd or 3rd season.
You seem like a really nice guy. I hesitated to reply for that reason, but decided to anyways, just in-case somebody uses this video as a guide.
Everything you did was wrong. Seriously. I've been planting fruit trees for 36 years and learned many things the hard way, and a lot from white papers through universities. My comments are more for those watching this video so they will have good success.
First, the hole. Too deep. It should never be deeper that the root ball bottom, and can even be slightly less deep that that. And do not put soft soil or organics under the root ball. These trees do NOT have tape roots. Their roots will grow out horizontally. Unless... there is a lack of rain and you put organics below them. Planted the way I saw in the video, the roots will bend downward to get moisture. Now they are stuck at hard pan. To strive to survive, they will then circle in that hole... because it is filled with soft material and the walls of the hole are smooth like concrete. Now you will have a weak tree that will whip around in the wind and bend over. The roots will not go into the native soil because the soil is too hard that deep and there is no nutrients that deep. This is called planting in a tea pot.
The next thing that will happen is the organics will break down and your tree will sink, along with that "soil" you buried with it (that is nothing but 100% organics). Now you have a tree in a sink-hole. When you get a lot of rain, it will fill your teapot and drown the roots and cause crown rot.
That tree could survive for a while the way you planted it. You essentially just gave it a bigger pot. However, over time it will either fail, or simply stop growing.
A better way to plant it would be to dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the bottom of root ball, and preferably slightly less deep. Rough up the edges of the soil so the sides are not smooth. Chop up the sod into the soil you dug out so you have some organics and regular native soil to add back to the hole. Add some of this soil and water around the root ball. Add more soil, then water, until the soil is used up. Be sure the graft is above the soil line, unless you are planting apple trees that you want to be standards. If you planted the root ball shallow, you can then dig a mote around the edge of the hole and put that sod you just dug up, upside-down near the tree. This will allow water to accumulate in the mote and trickle it to the outside of the hole for the roots to reach out to. There will also be a slight mound up to the trunk of the tree that will protect the trunk from crown rot caused by moisture. Now you can mix your rabbit manure with your compost and then spread that around as nutrients and mulch. (but not up against the trunk) Fill in the mote with this mulch as well. Now water it really well and keep it watered. Never let it dry out the first year.
What will happen is that the roots will grow out horizontally closer to the bottom of the tops soil where it can get nutrients and moisture. Your native soil will eventually pack around the roots to anchor it well. And because there is a slight mound up to the trunk, the trunk will stay dry and give you enough depth around the tree to add mulch every year. This protects the trunk from rot and borers.
Now wrap the bottom of the trunk with hardware cloth that is 2' tall and is wide enough so the tree will not rub against it in the wind. Stake the hardware cloth down with a short rod. The hardware cloth will stop voles and rabbits from girdling your tree.
You are not done yet! Now pound four t-posts in around the tree. Wrap 2x 3" fencing around the posts, leaving one end unfastened with a clip so you can get at the tree when needed. This fence should be about 6 to 10 inches off the ground so you can weed-whack the grass under it. The fence will give the tree 3 to 4 years of growth without deer pressure. Trim your tree each year so the branches will grow above the fence and out of the way of deer browse. For the width of the fencing, I simply make an X with the tree in the center and the posts at the end of the x points. It is 3' between the tree trunk and a post. You should use 5' fencing.
Once a year you can add more aged manure and mulch around the tree. This will feed the soil and the soil will feed the tree. And each year, make the circle of mulch wider so the roots grow outward under it.
When the tree outgrows the fence, remove the fence and then paint the trunk with a mixture of equal parts of water, white latex paint, and drywall spackling. This will deter the voles and rabbits. For the buck rubs, I hang a round cone of deer block fabric from the limbs to protect the trunk. You could even spray the fabric with deodorant to give it a scent. I haven't needed to spray mine, though. Whatever you do, do not pee around your fruit trees, thinking it will deter deer. It draws bucks in.
Is this method more difficult? You bet! However, you will not lose trees (saves money and time because you will not be replanting every couple years). You will also get stronger trees over time. The fruit on the trees will also be above the heads of the deer so you will not experience branch breakage and stolen fruit. Your harvest will be delayed by one or two years because you will be pruning upwards to build your structure higher. But in the long run, you will reap dividends from your work. The very first apple tree I planted 36 years ago is still going strong. I get more apples from that one tree than my entire family can use. (all adults now) The deer sometimes can't even keep up with the drops.
If you have deer pressure, only use standard sized trees. Otherwise, you are feeding the deer fruit trees. I also do not recommend anyone using dwarfs. Their roots are not strong enough.
Do note, if you have really hard packed soil, you may want to consider sub-soiling and then cultivating before planting. If you do not have that equipment, then use a broad fork to break up the soil around the tree so the roots will have an easier time growing outward. If you don't have that, then use a shovel and a garden fork to break up the soil. The more time you put into planting, the more success you will have.
All the best.
Ja, I use most all of the things you mention. Only semi -dwarf because of space constraints.
I agree with everything beside the dwarf statement.
Yes, what he said!
Thank you for this valuable info. There’s nothing like getting an experienced opinion.
Well crap I been planting trees the wrong way all my life here in red clay in Tennessee!I do have right around 16 fruit trees and put in 5 paw paw trees 2 years ago!have plenty of blueberries blackberries and all still living and will picking fruit this year good lord willing.i dig a hole set the tree or bush in put compost on top and pick fruit off in several years..who knew
I don’t know what it applies to but I heard that if you want a plant 🪴 to keep producing in a season the best thing to do is NOT let Anything RIPEN ON THE VINE - this will signal the plant that it’s made enough food for the season and it will stop 🛑
HARVEST EARLY
Aloe Vera is a must have for helping 😂roots to grow.
Cinnamon is anti fungal also keeps ants away.
Thanks so much. I’ve lost several because I didn’t know what I was doing! I so appreciate your time and sharing. You’re a wise dude!
I'm glad I could help.
Thank you I have 2 peach 2 apples and a plumb I need to get planted so thank you for this vid
You're welcome
I wonder 💭 if the fruit will be sweeter if you add a dusting of Baking Soda around the trees base 🌳?
It will keep snails 🐌 slugs and 🐜 Ants away 👀
I didn't know about the baking soda. I'm going to try this. Ant's here i. My yard always seems to find my feet. I put ant killer on them but they always come back.
I like to add a 4 inch layer of mulch in the spring before i plant in winter. The worms start breaking down the whole area making for easier planting. After planting i add 4 inches of mulch as well. I also mulch about a 6' square so the roots will grow wide.
Great advice. The mulch does well for weed suppression. And since the feeder roots are towards the surface, as the mulch breaks down it will feed the trees.
I might raise up the tree a bit higher above original soil line(More of your good stuff in hole before putting in tree).
For watering your trees and making it less intensive, you might consider trying Remiawy 20 gallon watering bags for trees. They slow drip and water your trees, and they can help protect them from deer 🦌 as they wrap around the tree trunks.
Thanks for sharing 👍 ❤
The
The
Hint he didn’t mention; always buy trees & shrubs in containers with real root. Bare root trees will barely survive summer.
Thks fo great advise putting manure in the hole with potting soil is very healthy fo trees becos rain washed them away if put around plants.
We used to have the same situation when we lived in Colorado. Thin layer of grass over a thick layer of bentonite clay. We always had to amend soil around new trees. Now we live in an area with deep sandy soil. I still amend the soil a little bit, but only enough to give the tree a start. Everything else is top dressed in mulch and compost. Over 80% of our trees survive the first year. I’d love for it to be higher, but I’ll take 80% if the trees thrive into the later years.
As a Forester who has planted more trees than I can count, 80% or more is pretty good. And yes even in better quality soil, the trees benefit from some amendment. If we are going to put in the work of planting the trees, might as well give it the best chance.
Should I water my fruit trees every day?
No. What fruit trees we recommend if 5 gallon bucket once a week. Especially if you plant them in the spring. Fall tends to be a little more wet around here, so we can get away with water in them every 2 to 3 weeks depending on the conditions.
❓ No cardboard on top for weed suppression?
No. We get a lot of wind here, and cardboard would just blow away. We have zoysia grass in part of our orchard, and the other part is in clover.
My fruit trees are 3-4 yrs old...no fruit yet! Great soil, perfect sun conditions, fertilizer at the right time. Why no fruit. I prune too!
Many trees don't produce until they are closer to 7-10 years old. Fruit trees take time to mature before they produce fruit. You will be rewarded for your patience.
I have started an apple tree from seed. When should the first pruning be?
Starting apples from seed candy be a lot of fun. Often, the seedlings grow slowly. I would wait until the the seedlings are around 4-5' tall before attempting to prune. You can however train the tree for form. As a matter of fact, doing so at an early age will make pruning easier later.
The box stores contracts out with a nursery. So the trees, flowers, vegetable plants, etc. comes from nurseries.
you need to dig much wider. don't know how much rain you get but the drainage on our land is really poor. you are going to have problems as the trees mature. how deep does that clay go? if you have a backhoe, dig a test hole deep and see if you can get to better soil a bit lower. as for plants to break up your soil, one of the best is great mullein. it has a very deep taproot that goes way deep on the first year, then flower stalk up on the 2nd year. i recommend you start spreading it all over that field. it will not hurt your trees at all and if you do this for a few years, your soil will loosen up and drain much better. they also attract earth worms. when they are in flower all 2nd summer, they attract pollinators as well. they are the best plant to help you with your problem and you are likely to find wild seed heads in the fall that you can take with thousands of seeds. i do not have your problem at my orchard but i grow them anyway. the seed heads left over winter are a great help with birds as they stick out of snow and provide food for birds too. it is the most useful plant and my favorite. odd that most people kill them as weeds. pure stupidity.
Mullien also made into tincture , mummy's or an oil is a great lung cleanser. expectorant.
Gummys
@@sparkyh62 also great wound dressing and skin soothing. great plant 🙂
I make mullein tincture and cough syrup I even smoke it, it makes a smooth relaxing smoke! ❤
Clay is very good because here in NJ the trees and plants are growing very well and is clay all 🎉
Greetings from Southern Ontario, my friend you have the mos informative video on planting fruit tree's i have seen, thank you God bless.
Will the roots of the tree actually grow through the clay? I've heard that the clay will work like a pot and the tree can end up root bound even though it's in the ground. I have clay here in TN that's been heavily compacted because the house/subdivision is new.
Yes, they will grow through the clay.