Bare-rooted fruit bushes and trees should be planted between autumn and early spring, while they're dormant.
If you have a small garden do not be put off planting a fruit tree because you think they need a lot of space. Many of our fruit trees are grown on dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock and do not take up too much space, find out more about our rootstocks here.
Many fruit trees, once planted, require very little or no attention to provide you with a tasty harvest every year. Fruit trees, such as apple, pear, cherry and plum can be left virtually to their own devices once they've established, although, they will benefit from a generous weekly watering for the first few months after planting. Click here to find out how to plant fruit trees and bushes.
Fruit trees can also be trained and grown very successfully as a fan or espalier against a wall. Apples Scrumptious or Queen Cox are ideal varieties to train, as is Pear Doyenne du Comice or the New variety Humbug an unusual stripy colour. Peaches and Nectarines are perfect for growing against a warm, south facing wall.
Soft Fruit is always popular, why not try growing a mix of different coloured raspberries? Glen coe is a lovely purple, Valentina a golden yellow and not forgetting the choice of red varieties such as Glen Ample. If you have a small garden do not be put off planting a fruit tree because you think they need a lot of space. Most modern varieties from specialist suppliers are grown on dwarfing rootstock and do not take up too much space.
Currants are also a very rewarding crop to grow, produceing large bunches bunches of fruit throughout the summer. They're really versatile; they can be cooked and used in summer puddings or jam, or they're delicious eaten fresh too.
