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Planning Planting of Fruit Trees Along Wall
Grateful for any advice.
I'm planning over the next couple of months to plant a reasonable number of fruit trees along the wall of my garden. The main wall is about 5-6ft high,almost 100ft long and faces west. There is a second section - approx same height and around 30ft long facing north. Not exactly a Victorian walled garden - if only! - but I think could work well nonetheless. I live in central London so extreme low temperatures in winter are fairly unusual (although clearly nothing is guaranteed). I would like to grow a good variety of fruit trees - apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums, figs, grapes + possibly some soft fruit - raspberries, blackberries, etc. Some questions: * is now-ish a good time to get digging & planting? * how easy is it to train a fig tree along a wall? I've had a free standing one before but it was quite in an exposed spot 400ft ASL and although it survived it didn't really prosper * what sort of rootstock to go for? Will I be best with the really dwarfing types & am I also right in thinking that they'll give me a crop sooner? * how to choose the right "shape" of tree - fans, espaliers, etc.? (this is a real mystery to me) * how will the more delicate trees (peaches, figs, grapes) fare on a west facing wall in a wet & windy winter?? * I've not grown olives before but I've heard rumours that it can be done and that with a great deal of TLC & a bit of luck with the weather they can even be persuaded to crop - is this true or just wishful thinking? * what's the best way to support the trees? Hoops & wires along the wall? * Will the north facing wall be a dead loss for fruit trees? Or is there something that will thrive there? * How close to plant the trees together? Lots of questions I know... Alternatively, if I wanted to enlist the help of a professional in laying the thing out & generally holding my hand, how would I go about it & what might it cost (design work only - I can do the digging & planting myself)? Any recommendations (of individuals)? Ironically, Tommy Walsh only lives a couple of streets away from me, but unfortunately I don't have room for decking & a pergola! Thanks v much, KF |
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