Join me on a gardening adventure, from planting seeds to harvesting. I'll share tips, triumphs, and lessons learned in nurturing a fruitful garden and orchard.

Fruit Tree Mini Series #2 0f 6

What comes after buying and prepping your tree?
.....PLANTING!!

Before digging into that first hole, here are some things you should ask yourself about the perfect location.
-Does the location provide six to eight hours of sunlight?
-Does this soil offer rich nutrients and retain moisture?
-Good air movement?
-How tall and wide will my tree be when it's mature? (About 15-20 feet spacing, depending on fruit tree)
-Will my tree be a safe distance from sidewalks, structures, power lines, drains, and other trees?

*I recommend planting trees in September or October in Nebraska*

Sod Removal:

  1. Start by marking a 30” diameter circle on the ground. I use a hula hoop and trace spray paint around the circle. (Rust-Oleum Orange Marking Spray Paint)

  2. Take your sod shovel and start to cut 2” deep around the edge of the circle.

  3. Cut the circle into pieces like a pizza. Slowly remove sod chunks and place into a pile outside the hole.

Digging the Hole:

  1. Next, take the sharp pointed shovel and starting in the center, work your way out with shoveling soil. Make a separate pile next to your sod. This soil will be used for refilling.

  2. Once at the edge of the hole, begin to dig perpendicular to the edge to avoid compacting. The edge of the hole should be rough in texture and barrel-shaped (not V-shaped). The roots should be able to push through the soil wall as it grows. Barrel-shape will help water disperse evenly and not pool up and rot the roots of the tree.

  3. Your hole should be about 6-10 inches deep depending on the root ball size.

  4. Once the hole is ready, sprinkle the necessary nutrients in the center

Now the fun part of planting the tree:

1. Take your bare-root tree that’s been soaking before planting and with some assistance, hold in the center of the hole while someone directs you to it sitting up straight. Spread out the roots in different directions so it’s not a mess.

  1. Start to refill the hole with soil pile. Loosen any chunks that you may come across. If needed, add compost or extra soil. Don’t pack the soil down, leave it loose and free. Be mindful not to cover the grafting joint between the root stock and scion.

  2. All sod removed earlier can now be cut and placed green side down around the hole's outer edge. This will help with any water runoff on rainy days. Do NOT use Bermuda grass sod. Throw Bermuda grass away

Mulch:

  1. Mulch should be 4” thick around the edges and less than 1” around the trunk in a donut shape around the tree. You want about a fist between base of tree and starting of donut. This will help with making sure water reaches the base of the tree.

  2. Mulch with hardwood, not coniferous, wood chips.

  3. Mulching around the newly planted tree will help with weeds, protecting the base from mowers and over time, the breakdown of mulch will release carbon.

    Tree Support:

    1. You can use bamboo sticks or t-post if trees need a little extra support. I would recommend with dwarf trees or high wind areas. Take your posts and place on the east and west sides of tree on the outside edge of the mulch ring.

    2. Cut 2 pieces of wire twice the length of the distance from the stake to the tree. Run the wire through an old piece of hose and place the wire/hose around the trunk of the tree.

    3. Tighten the wire making certain the tree is straight. Do not overtighten the wires. Check wires often and remove them after 2-3 years when tree’s become stronger.

Watering:

New trees need about 5-10 gallons a week and maybe more on days where temperatures are hot. Older trees need about 10+ gallons to keep growing and producing juicy fruit. I recommend getting yourself a 5 gallon bucket and counting how long it takes to fill. This is the amount of time it will take if standing around with a hose. You can even drill holes in the bottom of the bucket and tie around tree for a slow release drip if not wanting to stand around with a hose.