Peaches by the Patio

Modern fruit trees are usually grown on vigorous root stalks, so even dwarf and semi-dwarf trees often grow much faster and larger than gardeners expect. "The primary concern for gardeners with smaller lots should be to maintain the size of the tree for easier maintenance and earlier harvest," says fruit-growing expert Ed Laivo.

Address any drainage problem before planting. "The best thing you're going to get if you don't find a solution is a dead tree," says Laivo. "One solution is a raised bed. This one is 3' x 3' x 1' (figure D), which is small enough for just about any backyard, but big enough to plant more than one tree." Laivo plants an early-, late-, and midseason cherry tree in one raised bed. This high-density planting offers better pollination, more efficient spreading, easy pruning, and the best part of all, an extended cherry harvest. After planting, Laivo paints the trees to help avoid sunburn (figure E).

High-density planting offers many benefits--that is, if the trees are kept small. Never allow any variety to dominate at one time; all trees have to grow at the same rate. If one tree is growing faster than the others, cut it back.

By pruning now, the tree will have more secondary limbs next year as well as a bushier shape. If you plant bareroot trees, Laivo suggests cutting them off knee-high for low branching, which also creates stronger trees that mature earlier than tall trees.

Laivo also recommends high-density mulching. He layers wood-chip mulch several inches high around peach trees planted four to a large hole. The mulch nearly covers the entire trunk, which allows for less frequent irrigation because the mulch holds the moisture in the soil.

"In this case, having the mulch right up against the tree doesn't matter because air penetration to the crown is just fine," says Laivo. A nice deep layer of mulch keeps the roots cool.

Remember that most fruit trees need at least eight hours of sunlight a day to develop sweet fruit, but adequate moisture is also important. If you cut back on the amount of water toward the end of the growing season, it stresses the tree, which increases the sugar content in the fruit.