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Fruit Trees and fruit bushes

• Message 1. 

  Posted by BigG up North (U1914634) on Thursday, 23rd September 2010

  I'm expanding my veg patch - nearly doubling in fact and putting in a couple more raised beds.
  
  This new area will also accommodate where we have just one apple tree (a Charles Ross I think).
  
  We were looking at putting 2-3 more trees in about 6-8 feet apart, firstly are there any plum/cherry/apple trees anyone recommends - we're looking for those which grow to about 12 foot or so, not to swamp the garden.
  
  Secondly, is it possible and more importantly practical to plant ome fruit bushes in between some, but not all of the trees, i.e. still allowing space to walk through, but trying to utilise the space to the full.
  
  As a relative beginner I don't know and therefore would appreciate any advice. We live in Lancashire and the garden is south facing so we should weather permitting get enough light and sunshine, if it ever appears.
  
  Thank you in advance
  
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Barny (U13453961) on Thursday, 23rd September 2010

  Try a "family" apple tree (3 varieties early,mid and late on one tree) on MM106 (semi dwarfing)
  stock. No poll. probs either! I've had half a dozen or so from Morrison's over the last few years and they've been great at a £5 er each. I've used cheap s/market apple trees mostly on MM106 as rootstock for messing about doing a bit of grafting/budding and it is much easier than you might think. If you see an apple in a garden that you really like(Scrump one first of course for testing purposes), then you beg ,steal or borrow a bud or scion and hi presto you have in a couple of years a wonderful choice apple in your garden.
  WRT those s/market apple trees; You don't always get the variety that it says on the label but who cares at that price.(As an aside that stunt seems to be a long-standing tradition in the horticultural trade--flog 'em anything -by the time it flowers,fruits,etc the punters will have forgotten what they bought anyways!)
  Cherries- Stella is self -fertile and an acceptable cherry but they are a bit more particular about climate,position,soil,etc. than apples.Much easier to grow are the Morello sour cherries and they make great jam.
  I strongly recommend the Loch Ness blackberry which is really good but make sure that it is that Cultivar cos there are a lot of shysters out there who will flog you anything and call it Loch Ness!
  PS. They don't tell you these things on Gardeners' World!
  

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• Message 3

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  Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Thursday, 23rd September 2010

  Cant help re the trees, I'm afraid, but am in West Manchester, so not a million miles away & in a part-shaded bit of my garden successfully grow gooseberries & redcurrants & alpine strawberries around the edge of the bed. If you are on a South facing plot, shouldnt have a problem.
  
  There are several mature trees quite close by my fruit plot, so the soil tends to be dry, both because of the roots & shade, but my bushes cope. I really applied loads of compost to the bed before planting. & routinely mulch the bushes.
  
  It's advisable to net fruit bushes though, or the bullfinches will get the buds in Spring. That may not be as easy if yours are between taller fruit trees. They may be better grouped together for ease of netting.
  
  Cant help about the weather either, been the 3rd wet year here in a row! J.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by netherfield (U3897706) on Friday, 24th September 2010

  Try a 'Czar' plum,grows somewhat upright without too much spread,and in my opinion nicer than 'Victoria'.

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• Message 5

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  Posted by BigG up North (U1914634) on Friday, 24th September 2010

  Thanks for the advice from everyone - as always a great help and gives me food for thought as to how to do it as well as identifying the potential problems - thank you again!!!

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• Message 6

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  Posted by Jon and Suzie (U14609562) on Friday, 24th September 2010

  Are there any local varieties you could try to grow?

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• Message 7

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  Posted by BigG up North (U1914634) on Monday, 27th September 2010

  Jon and Suzie - I don't know is the answer - just shows I didn't even think of that - I'll ask locally

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• Message 8

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  Posted by Jon and Suzie (U14609562) on Sunday, 19th December 2010

  Did you find any local variaties? We have loads for our area and would like to grow some apples from one of the many types. We already have a local plum tree originating about 20 miles away, but have not been able to get it to fruit yet

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• Message 9

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  Posted by bogus the fungi man (U14705597) on Sunday, 19th December 2010

  Hello BigG-at-PNE.
  
  Please take a look at this apple variety. It may be something for you. I'm trying to get the numbers up of this rare apple and, if you have kids, I'm sure they will thank you for it.
  
  Pip.
  
  

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• Message 10

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  Posted by Chris (U7536226) on Monday, 20th December 2010

  If you want a good eating apple try James Grieve. They don't keep very well though but are sweet and juicy.
  Don't forget that if they're not self fertile you may need another apple tree of the same pollination group to produce apples.
  
  Chris

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by bogus the fungi man (U14705597) on Monday, 20th December 2010

  I'll second that Chris. My Dad used to grow them and I can't think of a better eater. Pip.

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