It goes without saying, growing fruit trees takes a lot of time and patience! Indeed, it takes on average 3 to 5 years for a first harvest. In addition, they require very special maintenance, especially during the first years!
It’s not for everyone, but those who persist will be able to taste the fruits of their labours (literally)! Luckily, our team is here to help you!
Watering
Like any other plants, fruit trees need water to thrive. But how often should you water them? During the first three years of its plantation, frequent watering is essential to its health, especially during the summer heat. It is advisable to water abundantly about twice a week, ideally in the evening.
Thereafter, you can limit watering to a frequency of once a week. Obviously, irrigation plays a complementary role in relation to rainfall. If showers occur, limit watering so as not to drown the fruit tree.
Pro tip: stop watering a few weeks before harvest to enjoy tasty fruits that are not waterlogged!
Mulch
Fruit trees are no exception! As with most plants, it is strongly recommended to use mulch in order to conserve soil moisture and prevent the growth of weeds which could steal valuable nutrients from your trees, in addition to drawing on their water resources.
Trimming
In order to obtain good harvests, it is essential to prune your fruit trees. This step consists of eliminating dead or diseased branches in order to preserve the health of the tree. Its primary purpose, especially in the early years, is to solidify the structure of the fruit tree so that it can grow optimally. It is recommended to perform this task at least once a year, in the fall or winter.
Thinning
What is the difference between pruning and thinning? The thinning of the fruit tree consists in eliminating too many fruits in order to obtain a better quality harvest and without exhausting the tree. Although this stage may vary slightly between different species, it is usually done when the fruits start to grow. This will result in bigger and tastier fruits!
Both for pruning and thinning, it is strongly recommended to seek the help of experts in the field to avoid damaging your fruit trees. Indeed, it is important to proceed at the right time and using the right tools and techniques.
Fertilization
Enriching the soil with organic matter is also very important for the growth of fruit trees.
Following fruiting, in anticipation of winter, your trees will need nutrients to prepare their reserves and better fight against the Quebec winter. This is why we recommend spreading compost and manure under their crown in the fall. They can also benefit from mineral and nitrogen fertilizers. We recommend using soluble fertilizers that seep into the soil down to the roots.
For any other questions, do not hesitate to contact our team of experts! We are here to help you!
Good harvest!