Insight of the Week: Fruit Tree Planting

Fruit is by far the most requested food group in my gardens. Fruit is delicious, in the store it can be expensive, and often it is highly perishable and covered in pesticides. The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit research group, publishes annually a "Dirty Dozen" list of produce with pesticide residues, 2015's Top Five were:

1. Apples
2. Peaches
3. Nectarines
4. Strawberries
5. Grapes

Today's insight is on planting fruit trees. Like most good gardening, fruit tree planting begins with a soil sample. Fruit trees like a soil pH of around 6-6.5, our soils in Centre County are usually around 7 and require liming to bring the pH down.
The next step is purchasing trees from a reputable dealer in Pennsylvania. Next week's insight will be focused on fruit tree selection and reputable nurseries. Trees must be planted while they are dormant to help reduce the risk of shock. Trees do not like to be moved. Trees are dormant until their buds break open in the spring.
Once the soil is limed and the trees delivered, a large hole is dug. The rule of thumb is to dig the hole at least as big as the root system of the tree. Crunching roots into the hole will stunt the tree and possibly kill it. The bud union is placed 2" above the ground line.
I mix compost in with the original soil as I back-fill the hole. Compost is in itself incredible, but in this application it helps to lighten the soil. Once the hole is filled and lightly tamped, the tree must be lightly pruned to compensate for the roots lost during the digging and shipping process.
Finally, ample water must be applied for most of the season to stimulate root growth.
Happy Farming,
Woody