How to Plant a Your Own Fruit Tree!

Today was a first for me here at Dream DIY, as I planted my very first Cherry Tree!

If you would like to try this at home this is what you will need:

• 1 Cherry Tree (£14:00 Homebase)
• Stake
• Spade
• Tree tie (£3:50 Homebase)
• Plant food (£2.99 Homebase, J. Authur Bower’s Growmore)
• Compost (£6.95 Homebase, J. Authur Bower’s Growmore)
• A hammer
• Bark Chips (£6.95 Homebase, J. Authur Bower’s Bark Chips)

The first thing you need to do before planting your tree is to choose an area that gets great sunlight as cherries require full sun to produce good crops. The position also has to be sheltered and if you choose correctly you will maximise the time your fruit has to ripen. 

It is important to make sure the site has good quality and well-drained soil. Prepare the site before planting by digging over the soil and removing all perennial weeds. Last year we got a digger and cleared this whole site so it was so much easier this year when we went to clear our borders. Cherry trees are shallow rooted which makes it very difficult to remove deep-rooted the weeds once the tree has been planted.

It is common practice that you dig the hole 2-3 times wider than the roots of the tree and to the same depth as the tree’s roots.Once you have finished digging the hole, mix the original soil with some compost or well- rotted farmyard manure. Here you can also add some plant food and water as it is important that the roots are soaked before planting.

Next, make sure the tree is at the same level that it was planted in the nursery (the soil mark on the stem should be obvious). Once you are you are happy with the height of the tree it’s time to hammer your stake into the hole and watch you don’t damage any of the tree's roots.

Secure the tree to the stake with a tree tie, making sure that the tree does not rub on the stake. Lastly, backfill the remaining soil around the roots and gently firm the soil in with the sole of your shoe and with the last stomp of your foot that's it, your tree is planted and ready to start producing some lovely fruit.

Finally, water your fruit tree thoroughly after planting and ensure that the tree is kept well watered during its first year until established. I covered the base of the tree with some bark chips as gardeners suggest it helps improve the soil's moisture retention capability whilst insulating and protecting plant roots.

Throughout the year you should use a nutrient supplement or balanced fertiliser on your tree as it will help promote healthy growth. Check tree ties regularly and loosen them if necessary to prevent rubbing on the stem and if your tree is healthy and strong you should be able to remove the stake after two years.

Let me know if you have had any success with growing your own fruit trees and share your journey. I will keep you up to date on how the little cherry tree is coming along!

Next up, I am going to try and plant a pear and plum tree! At this rate, I won’t need to go to the supermarket for much longer!

Aislinn xx