Gardening

When integrated within an organic approach, fruit thinning is a useful task which ultimately improves the resilience and vigour of plants. Skilfully applied thinning will help to maintain soil fertility by stabilising the seasonal demand and take-up of important minerals and organic nutrients. It can also enhance the quality and flavour characteristics of each mature crop. Because selective breeding and biotechnology now dominate many aspects of mainstream fruit production, fruit thinning is less commonly practiced and has even been marginalised within the organic sector for many common fruit species. With their ability to manipulate key characteristics of the reproductive cycle, agricultural scientists have developed plants which can produce...

There are several considerations and strategies which experienced gardeners will apply before purchasing their organic fruit plants. The first of these concerns the reputation and certification of the local growers, plant nurseries or garden centres where fruit trees and vines are sold as juvenile stock. To maintain their organic certification, plant wholesalers and retailers are obliged to comply with a strict code of technical management which applies to all areas of plant husbandry including cultivation, propagation, disease prevention, treatment, and the associated aspects of soil improvement, composting, and mulching. Evidence of an approved organic certification is one of the principal safeguards to eliminate inferior stock and that which...

On account of their decision to avoid chemical agents, organic fruit growers tend to assert less control over the timing of their crops and must depend upon favourable conditions and highly effective management at the point of harvest. When utilised efficiently, the labour intensive requirements of organic production help to integrate multiple activities throughout seasonal cycles, from sowing to harvest, then recovery. This means that each task depends upon the quality of observation and effort applied in earlier and subsequent activities. An experienced grower understands that successful harvesting cannot be separated from soil quality, climate characteristics, and patience. One of the basic challenges of successful harvesting is determining...

Many fruit trees or vines can be successfully raised in containers. Within the average suburban allocation, container planting enables a wider diversity of species to be trialled, particularly when there is an appreciation of the various micro-climates and other growing conditions. In most regions it is important to make use of sunny, but reasonably sheltered spaces around walls, pathways, trees, and other decorative features. With the exception of very large specimens, container growing has the advantage of portability. Containers can be moved to accommodate seasonal shifts and to avoid the impact of storms and predatory insect attack. Water supply and drainage can be closely monitored and problems are often easily fixed, before any serious...

In addition to plenty of sunlight, fruit trees and vines need to be sheltered from the wind. Even moderate exposure will create problems, such as falling fruit, damaged growth and the discouragement of pollinating insects. Sometimes, it is a good idea to plant rows of taller trees to form a natural wind barrier for protecting tender varieties like peaches and pears. Their distance and eventual height must be carefully judged because the fruit trees will hardly appreciate close competition or heavy shade from large neighbours. Similarly, it is a good idea to avoid cold pockets and hollows that may be subject to extended frosts during winter. The short lived blossoms of many fruit bearing trees are particularly vulnerable and may require some...