Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Planting Fruit Trees in Pots
• Part 2 of 2: Caring for fruit trees
• Tips
• Warnings

Fruit trees are a great addition to any garden, but there are a number of things to keep in mind before making a purchase. Start with step 1 below for more information.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Planting Fruit Trees in Pots

1. 1 Choose what type of fruit to grow. Strawberries are the most common type of fruit grown in courtyard and patio pots, but there are other options. Dwarf apple, orange and peach trees can also be grown in containers, as well as blueberry and raspberry bushes.
   • Some hybrids and varieties of fruit trees and shrubs are self-pollinating, but for best results, you should grow two fruit trees or shrubs that combine pollen.
   • Your greenhouse or nursery should help you select compatible trees and shrubs.
2. 2 Choose a suitable container for your strawberry bushes. Strawberries can be grown in a variety of containers, including containers called strawberry pots that are specially designed for strawberries.
   • It can also be grown in outdoor plant trays, long rectangular containers that sit on the ground, hanging baskets, upright containers, or just small to medium sized pots that sit on a table.
3. 3 Grow other types of fruit in large, deep containers. Dwarf fruit trees, blueberry and raspberry bushes require large, deep containers that sit on the ground. These fruit trees are usually sold “bare root” - just a plant with no soil or container, or in 20-40 liter containers.
   • Trees and shrubs with "bare roots" are planted in 20-40 liter containers, but as they grow, bushes and trees grown in containers and with an open root system should be transplanted into large 95-115 liter pots.
   • Almost any type of container can be used as long as it has multiple drainage holes at the bottom.
4. 4 Use the soil to plant fruit plants. Fruit trees and shrubs should be planted in potting soil, not soil from the garden.
   • The soil from the garden tends to contain insects and diseases and is likely not well-drained for potted plants.
   • The plant, tree or bush should be planted or replanted no deeper than it was before.

Part 2 of 2: Caring for fruit trees

1. 1 Keep fruit tree pots out of direct sunlight for most of the day. Place containers of trees where they can be exposed to six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
   • In very hot climates, it is best to have direct exposure to sunlight in the morning and early afternoon, as the hot, scalding sun during the day will damage leaves and fruits.
   • Placing a tree container on wheeled carts is a good way to move them around with ease. Gardeners may also consider investing in a cart.
2. 2 Keep fruit trees well watered. One downside to growing fruit in pots is the need for frequent watering. The soil in containers dries out much faster than soil soil.
   • Check containers every morning and evening. Water the fruit plant, tree, or bush when the top 2.5 cm or 5 cm of the soil is dry and apply water until it begins to drain from the bottom of the container.
   • Watering plants with spoiled milk is a good way to prevent powdery mildew and add some nutrients to the soil at the same time.
3. 3 Apply fertilizer every two weeks. Fertilizer should also be applied to potted fruit plants more often. A balanced 10-10-10 water soluble fertilizer should be applied every two weeks or so.
   • Follow the fertilizer manufacturer's recommendations for dilution instructions and frequency of application. Always water first, then apply diluted fertilizer.
   • Do not apply the fertilizer from mid to late summer to avoid new, tender leaf growth that may begin in the winter months.
4. 4 Make sure the containers are properly drained. Growers need to make sure their fruit plants have good drainage. Adding garden or rinsed pad sand to the soil prior to planting is a great way to improve drainage.
   • Another idea is to plant the plant on the ground using a membrane or brick. It can also help keep them from ants.
5. 5 Once the fruit begins to grow, prevent the plants from tipping over. Gravel placed on the bottom of the fruit tree pots will prevent the containers from becoming unstable. Taller fruit trees may also need stakes or trellises to keep them upright, especially when they are bearing fruit.
6. 6 Move indoors for the winter. In winter, even fruit trees and shrubs that are hardy enough in cold temperatures should be moved indoors or to a sheltered place by the end of fall when grown in containers.
   • A garage where temperatures don't drop below freezing will work great, or where winter temperatures tend to be very cold, a basement or cool room in the house will work well.
   • In winter, you should water the plants lightly when the soil becomes dry.

Tips

• Buying a fruit tree, rather than growing it from seed, will ensure that the plant picks up correctly and accelerates fruit production. It will take several years for a tree to begin bearing fruit.

Warnings

• The containers in which the strawberries were grown should be thrown away every fall and planted in new ones in the spring to prevent the onset of disease.