Trees

Greetings from Central Florida.
I recently picked up the SFG book and read it from front to back, it really got me excited to know that growing my own veggies and herbs would be so easy. My question is more about fruit trees, I do understand that big trees require deep roots. What I want to know is if there is a way to incorporate SFG into growing fruit trees, like using Mel's mix to start with better soil and so forth. Has this been discussed previously? If so can someone poi t me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance,
Joel

Hi SFGJoelsfg. Welcome from Atlanta, GA!

Are you reading the All New SFG, 2nd Edition? If not, I have good news: It's gotten even easier!

On the trees - you might check the archives section in your upper right corner... I'd just put in fruit trees...

Can't wait to see what you're doing with your garden!

Joel, you would certainly want great soil for fruit tree production, however you may check into researching organic fruit tree production in terms of soils, fertilizers, insect control, etc.  Some of the same principles of SFG would apply, however there may some practices specific to fruit trees that would come into play. 

Are there any certified organic fruit tree farms in your area?

Joel! Welcome to the forum! Yes, there are threads about fruit trees in the search results, but I don't know if anyone has used MM for them or not.

AtlantaMarie wrote:you might check the archives section in your upper right corner...  I'd just put in fruit trees...

Marie, mine's on the upper left corner.

CC

Joel, Welcome to the Forum from California! I hope someone who has planted trees will join in this conversation. Somewhere in the back of my brain, it seems you don't want to use Mel's Mix in planting. However, a little of the mixed compost part can be mixed in with the native soil around the root ball. And, topdressing with compost topped with mulch and their own fallen leaves in the fall (keep pulled back from the trunk area) seems to me to be a good way to naturally fertilize and feed the little microorganisms and worms in the dirt.

Thank you all for the responses. I am reading the new SFG, that's why I'm really looking forward to the years ahead in gardening. I've been studying like a maniac on gardening and the ph and all that crazy stuff that SFG eliminates, so you can imagine my relief when I came across the book. There is a nursery I know, will check there for organic growth since that's my goal, zero or as little chemicals possible.and thank you also for the compost idea, that sounds pretty ideal. I am a baby when it comes to this, so feel free to send any ideas my way.

Welcome, Joel! I have found my local extension office and or Ag office are wealths of info on fruit trees. Depending if you are planting bare root, balled in burlap, or container grown, each one is a bit different.

CC's quote: Marie, mine's on the upper left corner.

Oh.... yeah..... left, right... I'm dyslexic on left/right. All of the women in my mom's family are... When DH & I started dating, I told him to watch my finger and not listen to what I say when I'm giving directions.

LEFT corner...!

Joel, I think the big thing is just relax. This will certainly be a learning year for you. Plants are very resilient and we're here to help. :-)

We are not experts but we have planted lots of trees.  We have 6 citrus, 2 plums, 1 fig, 2 paw paws, a dwarf pomegranate, olive, oh and 3 pecan trees.  Those bare and I am sure i missed somebody.  Things we have learned over the years.  
1.  Know your tree.  All trees are not alike.  some partial shade some direct sun most hate wet feet but not all.  Know what ya planting.  I am sure The local university as well as the county agent have great information.  For us LSU ag is a go to source on local things.
2. Always dig twice the hole ya need.  
3.  unless you live in a swamp and when you dig a hole it fills with water fill ya hole with water.
4.  put several inches of high quality soil in the bottom of the hole and some organic fertilizer.
5.  place tree in hole and fill it all around with high quality soil.  
6.  Top it off with original soil making a lil hill with the tree planted a few inches higher than your yard.   Water the pudding out of it mulch around and its done.  The tree will settle back to yard level as the soil packs.
Thats the generic version.  Same rule for bare root to a container pot.  Basicly.