Fruit Trees

Fruit Trees FAQs

Take a look at some of the frequently asked questions we receive
from those looking to buy fruit trees in the UK. You can contact our Customer
Service Team or browse our general FAQs for further advice.

What are the types of fruit plants for sale?

There are two main types of fruit plants for
sale: soft fruit plants and fruit trees.

Soft fruit is the collective term for small fruits with thin skin like strawberries and raspberries. These grow on herbaceous plants and bushes, an ideal inclusion for an allotment or vegetable patch.

Fruit trees grow in pots or the ground and bear hard fruits including apples, pears and plums.

You can find both soft fruit plants and fruit trees for sale in bare-root and potted varieties. Potted fruit trees are either container-grown or transferred to a pot for sale:

• Bare-root fruit plants: These must be planted immediately because they have been lifted out of the soil but they usually establish well. They're a cheaper option available between November and March.
• Potted fruit trees: Either container-grown or taken from the ground and re-potted. Container-grown fruit plants are available year-round and can be replanted at leisure, a luxury that makes them more expensive. Fruit trees potted for purchase are sold in autumn and winter and establish quickly when returned to the ground.

Which fruit trees are best for me?

When deciding which fruit trees are best for your garden or allotment, consider:

• The type of fruit you want
• Year-round visual appeal
• If the tree is fast-growing
• Whether it's high-maintenance
• How much space you have

You'll find fruit trees for sale that are deliberately designed for small spaces. These have been grafted onto a dwarf rootstock – the root system of a related tree that's much smaller in size. This limits growth, keeping the fruit plant to a manageable maximum height.

What fruit trees are easiest to grow in the UK?

Fruit trees suited to the climate are easiest to grow in the UK and will require relatively little maintenance. Popular examples include:

• Apple trees
• Pear trees
• Plum trees
• Cherry trees

Summer fruits like raspberries are also easy to grow and are suitable for any size of garden.

You can find specific advice for your chosen species in our fruit plants and trees growing guides.

When is the best time to plant fruit trees?

The best time to plant fruit trees in the UK is between October and April. This enables the tree to establish itself ahead of the fruiting season. Avoid planting during a frost or when the soil is waterlogged.

Where should you plant fruit trees?

For the sweetest produce, you should plant fruit trees in a sunny spot. Fruit plants with
sourer fruit such as gooseberries and acid cherries will be just fine in more shaded
areas.

In addition to light, you should also consider temperature and exposure. Prolonged frost damage can ruin your yield, as can strong winds, which discourage key pollinators like bees.

How should you care for fruit trees in the UK?

Although low-maintenance plants, UK fruit trees require some aftercare to maximise performance. This includes:

• Watering: Newly planted fruit trees commonly experience drought stress, even when
  summer is cool and wet. Ensuring a consistent water supply is therefore essential to plant health. However, beware of overwatering, which can cause root rot.
• Mulching: Fruit plants should be mulched annually for the first few years to conserve moisture in the roots, suppress weeds and improve plant resistance to disease. Bulky organic matter such as leaf mould and compost is the most suitable mulch for fruit
  trees.
• Feeding: Mulch is lacking in nutrients, so fruit trees also require fertiliser for good growth. This should be sprinkled over the tree's rooting area just beyond the canopy. The key ingredients of your fertiliser should be nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Why buy fruit trees from Marshalls Garden?

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