Why growing your own fruit makes economic sense
People generally grow vegetables before fruit, but that’s not necessarily a good idea, especially if you’re short on space. I made a decision a few years back to concentrate on fruit rather than veg. Why? Pure economics.
It makes the most sense to grow the things that are the most expensive, such as strawberries, raspberries, apricots, plums, etc. You get a lot more value per square metre than, say, potatoes, which are cheaper to buy and take up a lot of room.
Many fruit trees are extremely decorative and compact (as long as they’re on dwarfing rootstocks). I have blossoms in my garden from February to May, from Japanese blood plum Lizzie to the apple and crab apple trees. Most trees can be grown in containers, as long as they don’t go short of water or food. You also have the chance to grow unusual varieties you won’t find in the shops. Read more about red rhubarb and how to grow it.
I must hold up my hand here for the rapid turnover of fruit (and veg) in my garden. I made many changes to future-proof the area to take into account the progression of my illness. Sadly, cramming things in like I used to do doesn’t work. My fruity escapades were often doomed – now I concentrate on apples, rhubarb, plums, raspberries and blackcurrants.
Making difficult decisions over fruit trees
The apricot Kioto was removed. It had gummosis, an unpleasant disease and was in the way of a replacement raised bed. Many of the plants in this section I’ve had to give up, but the raised bed is now home to a Brown Turkey fig, which bears fruit well.
My autumn-fruiting raspberries have been moved from pillar to post around the garden. They’re now housed in troughs in the front garden. I particularly like these yellow-leaved raspberries.
Ornamental and productive roles
All of the fruit trees live in the borders, performing an ornamental and productive role. Rhubarb’s a stunning plant in its own right, so there are a couple of clumps in the borders too – and it will stand a bit of shade. Lurking in the front garden are three Ebony blackcurrants, which fruit there quite happily with the minimum of attention. The birds don’t seem to notice them.
Past plants that were successful before they outgrew their welcome include a blueberry, a thornless double-flowering blackberry, Loch Maree and gooseberries. The blackberry/loganberry cross (formerly called a sunberry) had to go as it took over! It’s very easy to grow but needs to be picked daily, as the birds will beat you to it and then deposit purple poo everywhere. The fruit also goes over very quickly, especially if it’s damp.
