You can actually grow your own fruit in quite a small plot quite successfully, even just using a few large pots. The key is to choose the right varieties and a suitable root stock which we list out below.
Wait, what is Rootstock?
If you don’t know what rootstock means, the simple explanation is that, rather than growing fruit trees from seed, most growers graft them onto the rootstock (roots and stump) of another tree. This is done to restrict the height of the tree, and to improve the health of the tree. For our range of fruit trees, we have chosen the rootstock that we feel is best suited to both novice growers and growers with smaller spaces. (They are equally suitable for experienced growers and larger gardens, but we wanted to make sure we kept things simple for those who are starting out.)
Please note that other suppliers may provide the same variety on a different rootstock which may result in a larger/smaller tree once fully grown.
Which fruit trees & fruit bushes are best for small plots and containers?
Plum Tree ‘Victoria’
This comes on Pixy rootstock which is a semi-dwarfing rootstock that will produce a tree of around 3 to 4 metres tall. They come as a 2 year old ‘bush’ tree, which means that they are best for growing as a free-standing tree, leaving approximately 4 metres between each tree if you are planting more than one.
In a small garden, you can grow this variety in a large container, or in the ground, and prune it in spring/mid-summer to keep the tree smaller.
Duo Pear Tree
This is a clever tree in that two different varieties have been grafted to a single rootstock – Conference and Louise Bonne de Jersey. What this means is that the two varieties cross-pollinate each other giving a heavier crop from a single tree – perfect for smaller spaces.
It comes on Quince A rootstock, which keeps the tree to around 3.5 metres tall. This variety comes as a 1 year maiden, which means it hasn’t been pruned into any specific shape, so it is perfect for growing against a fence or trellis – you can prune and shape it, tying in the young branches and training it to an espalier shape. (instructions supplied with the plant!)
Apple Tree ‘Greensleeves’
If you are keen to grow apples and only have space for one tree, then this is the one to choose. Greensleeves is an eating apple (dessert apple) and tends to crop heavily – this means that you can prune it quite generously to keep it small and still get a good crop.
You could get away with planting it in a large container, although it will do better in the ground.
Blueberry
Any of our blueberry plants are excellent for pot-growing – it is easier to make sure they get the right soil by filling the pots with ericaceous compost (easily bought at any garden centre.) If you can grow two plants in two pots, keeping them quite close to one another, you will get better pollination and a heavier yield.
Strawberries
Fill a few hanging baskets, or plant some up in an old wheelbarrow or planter, and you can enjoy your own strawberries in early summer. Such a lovely thing to grow, and so easy too – just be sure to give them some rich multipurpose compost and keep them well watered during dry spells and they should do well in a sunny spot.
Currants
All currants – pinkcurrant, whitecurrant, redcurrant and blackcurrant – do well in pots. The best thing to do is to re-pot them each year so that they grow with the pot. This means you can start off fairly small as well, and re-pot into a slightly bigger pot the following year, adding a little fresh compost which will give them a good boost.
They tend to crop quite heavily, so you’ll get plenty from one plant.