Tui Spring Times Magazine 2017 Tui Spring Times 2017 | Page 7

URBAN
FRUIT
FOREST
Fruit forests are generally in a larger area, but we’ve created a guide so you can have a
smaller version in your backyard. The concept of a fruit forest is based on layers of planting:
start with your larger fruit trees, then a layer of smaller dwarf fruit trees, followed by shrubs,
and then ground cover. You can also integrate a vertical layer with climbers and vines.
Shopping list: Tui Sheep Pellets, Tui Garden Mix, Tui NovaTec
Premium fertiliser, Seaweed Plant Tonic, fruit plants/trees.
PREPARE
Choosing plants for your urban fruit garden
• Canopy/larger trees: fruit trees such as citrus (non-dwarf
varieties), feijoa, plum, nectarine, peach, apricot, apple,
and pear.
• Dwarf/smaller fruit trees: citrus (dwarf varieties), crabapple
(Malus Ballerina), apple, pear, nectarine, peach, apricot.
• Shrubs: blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, blackcurrant,
Chilean guava
• Leafy plants: mint, thyme, oregano, rosemary.
• Ground cover: strawberries
• Climbers/vines: grapes, passionfruit.
Once you have selected your plants, it is time to get the soil
prepared – the better the soil, the better your fruit plants will
grow. Dig in organic matter like Tui Sheep Pellets and compost
to your soil. Then add a layer of Tui Garden Mix. Follow the
steps below for each plant.
PLANT
The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the
day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away.
Start with your larger fruit trees, working your way through to
underplanting with ground cover.
• Place the plant in the hole, and fill in with Tui Garden Mix,
ensuring the tree is no deeper than it was in the container
or bag. Stake fruit trees for extra support.
• Water your plants after planting.
When planting several fruit plants at once, it is just as easy to
add a layer of Tui Garden Mix to the whole area before planting.
NOURISH
Feed your plants and they will reward you. Plants use nutrients
from the soil as they grow, so replenishing the nutrients ensures
your fruit plants will grow to their full potential.
Feed your fruit plants with a fertiliser specially blended for your
crop like Tui Citrus Food or feed with an all purpose variety
such as Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser. Don’t forget to water
your fruit plants too – especially over the warm summer months.
Well watered, well nourished fruit will have a better chance of
keeping insect pests and diseases at bay.
Tui Tips:
•
Protect fruit plants from the elements with layers of
Tui Mulch & Feed.
• No room for a fruit forest? Plant a few trees in pots
using Tui Pot Power.
• Soak plants in a bucket of Seaweed Plant Tonic before
planting to help prevent transplant shock and encourage
healthy growth.
• Dig a hole approximately twice the depth and width of the
root ball of your plant and partly fill with Tui Garden Mix.
This has all of the essential nutrients your fruit plants need
to get off to the best start.
For more garden projects from HOMEmade visit tuiproducts.co.nz

TUIPRODUCTS.CO.NZ
7