This is Project 4 in my Start a Garden Guide, and is the perfect autumn mission for anyone planning on planting fruit/ shelter/ shade trees this winter.
Rule number 1 for an easy garden life, is be sure the trees you plant are well matched to you + your garden.
Take a little time + do a little tree research before shopping, (I have hope). Find trees that:
- suit your soil
- happily cope with all 4 seasons at your place (sunshine, shade, temperature, frost, rainfall)
- are the right size for the available space – yes please!, pay double attention to this one.
- fulfil your wishes: grow your favourite fruits, attract birds, glow with autumn colour, create privacy/ shelter, provide summer shade …
Good matches are my wish for you! When well matched, strong growth comes with next to no effort, and you avoid future tree dramas.
The ultimate tree research list
Grab a big sheet of card and set it up with the headings below. Stick it on the wall/ fridge/ headboard to keep it alive in your mind. Keep adding and subtracting from it as you learn what will and wont work, what you do and don’t like.
- Shelter: Organise your shelter by height. This will save you rushing into big trees that become expensive later. Divide your shelter tree research like this:
Up to 3m: the most useful height – sheltering animals/small fruit trees/berries/vegies/you.
3-5m: to shelter house/ larger fruit trees/ slopes/ big winds.
Over 6m: suits larger tracts of land, large nut trees, soaking up water, erosion control. Consider big trees carefully! - Deciduous: for leaf supply, shade and autumn colour
- Shade: for greenhouse/ animals/ chooks/ humans
- Nitrogen fixing: for orchard and garden companions
- Deciduous fruit + nut trees
- Evergreen fruit: citrus, avocado, olive, feijoa
- Fruiting vines
- Berries + Currants
Community Research
Your wider community is the very best place for your tree research. Google can give you some up’s but nothing as valuable as what your neighbours/ local pro’s can.
- Scout out the gardeners in your hood. Then turn up with scones and pick their brains!
- Join community gardens.
- Check out your council website for suitable natives.
- Visit local nurseries.
- Go to lots of garden open days/ tours/ workshops.
- Attend Tree Croppers meetings.
Jot down trees as discover them. You’ll appreciate this list bigtime, when you come to buy your trees in.
