How to get the best yield from your fruit trees this season

Christchurch and Canterbury home and garden landscapes almost always include a fruit tree or two, so this month’s article is going to give you the tips and tricks you need to yield your best harvest ever.

The reason we prune fruit trees is to maintain shape encourage new growth (and more fruit) and lets the air circulate through and around the branches. 

It is not necessary to prune fruit trees every year, and the best pruning methods depend on the type of tree and the location.

While different fruit trees have varying requirements, there are a few hard and fast rules you should try to adhere to

·      Always prune in dry conditions

·      Always use sharp and clean tools

·      Cut branches on an angle preferably above a bud

·      Aim to prune no more than a quarter of your tree at any one time.

There are a few fruit trees which are favoured by landscapers in the South Island, including the Feijoa tree which is a particular favourite. This lush evergreen perennial is often chosen as much for its ornamental value as it is for its uniquely flavoured fruit. Its silvery-grey underside provides a great contrast, especially in a light Christchurch easterly breeze.

Feijoa trees are just about right to start pruning now well after the winter fruit has fallen, but as the weather starts to get warmer, the likelihood of frost is lessening.

The main goal when pruning a feijoa is to create a lovely ‘bushy’  shape. Begin by discarding any dead branches and removing those branches that are crisscrossing and coming into contact with other branches.

Citrus trees are also a very popular type of fruit tree found in Christchurch gardens and yards. You can usually prune citrus trees anytime – except if you have a landscape garden in Christchurch where again, the need to avoid frosts mean you shouldn’t prune your citrus trees until early-mid spring.

As with Feijoa’s you are pruning for shape, aeration between branches and cutting with clean, sharp secateurs above an outward-facing bud.

Plums and other stone fruit trees are also popular and present in many Christchurch landscape designs but require a slightly different approach to pruning.

When pruning stone fruit trees, you are best to prune annually wait until late summer after all the fruit has fallen.

And unlike to ornamental feijoas, you should aim to shape your plum and other stone fruit trees into a vase shape with the base of the vase reaching for the sky.

As always we here at OnLandscapes are here to help if you have any questions about your garden, hard landscaping, retaining walls, planting designs or any landscape design questions.

Nothing tastes sweeter than a piece of fruit or vegetable that you have grown yourself, so take advantage of the warmer weather and get outside and get gardening.

Top tip – freeze lemons and limes sliced or whole, you will save a bundle at Christmas time (especially you gin lovers)