Posts tagged trees
Small Gardens And Planting Fruit Trees
Jun 7th
Almost monthly we find that we are being bombarded by new diet or exercise plans cleverly crafted to encourage us to change our lifestyles.
It is true that we all should really take a close look at our current behaviour with the intention of eating a great deal more fresh vegetables and fruit and taking far more exercise. One thing we might want to do is to consider cultivating 1 or 2 fruit trees in our garden. However, as most backyards are only limited in space, it is highly probable that you may be rather restricted in what you can do.
The largest number of us comprehend that organic vegetables and fruit are immensely better for us than the alternatives however the added cost is often too much. We also know that the more fresh the veg or fruit is the more minerals and vitamins it contains. By growing our own fruit trees it is possible for us to grow organic fruit at a much lower cost also, because it can be harvested immediately before use, such fruit is also the freshest it can be.
The vast majority of us reside in a built up residential environment where it is common to have backyards which leave only an immensely small area in which to cultivate a garden. Such gardens are highly unsuitable for large mature trees which can be the cause of a selection of problems. The roots can force themselves into foundations, branches can force themselves against walls and windows and they also block the sunlight. The most obvious problem is that such a large item in a small place will clearly appear silly.
Even in the smallest backyard something wonderfull can be created. Professional gardeners can create the most amazing plans but, with a a little amount of effort and time, it is possible to do this yourself. To do it correctly you will need to read up a little to understand which are the best shrubs, plants and trees to use and the most suitable way to use them.
If you have a incredibly small garden the inclusionaddition of a fruit tree will add beauty and interest. In the spring the tree will be covered in gorgeous looking, and sweet smelling, blossom. By the time of fall the tree will be full of ripe fruit ready to pick. Even in the winter a fruit tree can still look rather interesting and such a tree could act as a focal point.
It is now possible to purchase dwarf fruit tree varieties, these are generated by grafting the main stem of a fruit tree to carefully chosen dwarf root stock. Modern dwarf root stock, such as M9, is more reliable than older types of dwarf root stock. M9 root stock can cause a fruit tree to develop rather small but still producing much more fruit.
Modern compact fruit trees can be grown in small gardens as the dwarf variety produces a large amount of fruit from the smallest of bushes. A dwarf fruit tree will hardly ever be larger than 1.8m high but the growth rate can be decreased a little further by growing it in a container. By following a carefully planned pruning regime you can restrict the growth while retaining a beautiful architecture.
Amongst the most useful of fruit trees for the landscape gardener with only a little garden, is the spur apple tree. While the tree is still able to grow up to 1.8m high it has such an upright habit that it often looks rather strange covered in a mass of ripened apples.
Besides as apple trees there are dwarf types of fruit tree such as plums, figs, nectarines, pears, cherries and other alternatives.
Growing Trees in Small Spaces
May 24th
Everybody has different tastes and preferences and this is also true when it comes to gardening. Some people find one garden appealing while others may not, however, it is reasonably safe to say that the vast majority of folk enjoy trees. A quality garden often features at least one specimen tree or a small number of small trees as a backdrop to their flower garden.
Specimen trees are those types of tree which has something appealing about it that is rather unique. Such a tree may have beautiful and fragrant blossom or maybe unusual fruits. Other specimen trees may have unusual architectural qualities about them such as the monkey puzzle tree or corkscrew hazel.
Even in the smallest of backyards it is often possible to include a small specimen tree. When choosing a specimen tree it is important to choose one which is suitable for use as a focal point to your garden design. When restricted by space common garden and landscaping designs are simply not possible. In such cases you always need to keep in mind that you do not need to follow any set design, you need to adapt designs to match the space available. So it may not be possible to place specimen trees in a central location but this is not a necessity, often a specimen tree placed in a corner can bring that small portion of your yard to life.
Another factor in moving away from a centrally located tree is that is helps create the appearance of space. When placed in the centre of a small yard a tree can sometimes make a space appear smaller! One advantage to using trees in small spaces is that you will only need to buy one, or possibly two, trees. Therefore your budget may be able to accommodate the purchase of a more expensive, high quality, unique or unusual tree which further enhances your yards beauty.
Evergreen or Deciduous?
Evergreen trees are those types of tree which do not lose their leaves during the cooler months of the year. The great thing about using evergreens in a small yard is that there are often dwarf or miniature species available which means that it becomes possible to grow more than one tree and even a collection of evergreens with different hues. In such backyard designs it is possible to create a small garden which maintains color throughout the year.
Deciduous trees are those types of tree which lose their leaves during the colder months of the year. Although many consider the leaf drop too much of a problem when such trees are grown in small spaces it is a matter of opinion. Deciduous species often have unique qualities and their continual change through the seasons often creates different moods and adds interest to a small place. Species such as corkscrew hazel or willow can look spectacular during the winter months as their main appeal is their contorted branches which are not really visible with leaves present.
Other types of trees and shrubs can bring great interest to a small space. Dogwoods are available which have a variety of differently colored branches ranging from deep black through to red and even bright yellow. Maples and Japanese Maples are often a good choice for a small yard as they can be kept small and their brightly colored and ever changing leaves add color and interest to even shady corners.
Overall creating a garden in a small backyard is not an impossibility. In fact there are so many species of trees and plants available which are highly suitable for use in small spaces that you may surprise yourself at what is truly possible.
To discover more about trees and shrubs in small spaces visit http://www.landscapinginfo4u.com/
