Use SFG planting mix for fruit trees?

Suzieeq 3/27/2010, 12:25 pm

Hi All:

I was at Costco yesterday and bought 6 dwarf fruit trees - limes, apricots, fuji apples, pears and oranges. So, can I use my SFG mix to plant the fruit trees? Also, I just did a search to find out how far apart to plant these trees and got so much conflicting info.

As far as our SFG goes, we purchased 4 beds from this website and got half our order last week and are anxuiously waiting for the rest to be shipped.

Thanks
Suziee Use SFG planting mix for fruit trees? Icon_eek

rds1955 3/27/2010, 12:45 pm

Hi Suziee -

I'm not familiar with the dwarf variety of any type of trees, but Last year I did get 12 various fruit trees planted in the backyard area where I'm putting my SFG...I did'nt use Mels Mix but a mixture of soils once I had the earth removed where I was planting them, and used it as the starter for mine...I removed about a 20 Gallon bucket sized space of earth, then filled it with the soil mix as a starter.. The tree's I planted, (Apple, Cherry, Peach, Plum and Pear) will grow anywhere from 8-10 ft to up to 30 ft tall in their lifespan..I suspect you can use Mels mix to grown just about anything, but in my case, I'm aware that over their life, the roots of the trees I planted will grow deep and spread out, so just consider how deep and far their roots will spread...

Retired Member 1 3/27/2010, 1:57 pm

If your trees are going into the ground and not in containers, I wouldn't recommend enriching your soil too much with Mel's mix or anything else or the little darlings will keep their roots in the good stuff and end up rootbound. You won't see a problem for a couple of years, but they could end up stunted. When I planted my trees, I amended what passes for soil here with 1/3 compost, but was told by a nurserywoman later that was too much. Better to use native soil and a root stimulator monthly for a year to promote good root structure. However, YMMV.

Suzieeq 3/27/2010, 3:23 pm

Thanks for the input. I've got pretty awful clay soil and haven't got anything to grow without adding good soil. Will there be an issue with roots if a SFG mix is used?

Thanks

emhavens 4/5/2010, 3:23 pm

Hi,

I don't know how big your lot is or what your plans are, as far as your "orchard" goes. You may want to investigate Backyard Orchard Culture, or High density Plantings of fruit trees. In essence, it is the same idea as square foot gardening. You plant your trees VERY close together, but you only let them grow as tall as you can reach to harvest. Of course there is a lot more to it than that. I've included a youtube link that will get you started.

If you have a huge lot and want full size trees (which I'm assuming not, thus the dwarf trees) this wouldn't be a way to go.

Emily
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo3_u08CwdY

**WardinWake** 4/5/2010, 6:00 pm

Howdy:

There is an old saying in growing fruit tress. If you have a $10.00 tree, dig a $50.00 hole. I was a member for several years with the North American Fruit Explores. They are a wonderful group of folks and have a quarterly magazine as well as a website. I have not looked lately so they may also have a forum.

One thing not to put into the hole you dig for the trees is fresh manure. It will kill the trees in short order.

God Bless, Ward.

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