Fruit trees need a lot of sun and do not tolerate wet soil. Too much wind can also be problematic, which is why you often see hedges as windbreaks around orchards to create a microclimate. It is best to keep the grass short under the crown to avoid competition with other plants. Long grass also attracts voles that feed on the roots. Mowing will keep it short. Grazing is also used in orchards, although you have to protect the trees. Fruit trees are best planted between mid-November and the end of February and only when the soil is not too wet and there is no frost. That way, the plant invests in root growth during the winter and starts the growing season stronger. The planting distance for tall trunks is 8-15m, for medium trunks 3-6m and for low trunks 2-4m. You should therefore provide enough space thinking about the final image of how large your tree will grow.

Which fruit variety you choose obviously depends on your taste, but if you have enough space in your garden, definitely go for tall-stemmed fruit trees. These are grafted at 1.8-2m, so you walk easily under them. They are more robust varieties, give tastier fruit, root deeply and live a long time, up to 100 years for some pear varieties! The best thing is that they only need limited maintenance; a topiary for the first 5-7 years and maintenance pruning after 15 years. Only in the first 5 years do you support them with a stake. With low-trunk or half-trunk - grafted at 0.6 & 1.2 m - you need to prune every year for good production, provide lifelong support and low-trunk you need to replace after only 15 years. You do need just a bit more patience for the first pick with tall-stem, but after 7 years you can enjoy decades. With old varieties of tall fruit trees, you also preserve our natural heritage, because many older varieties are lost.

When choosing your fruit species and fruit variety, it is also useful to consider whether, for example, you prefer fresh apples or if you prefer a variety that preserves for a long time, gives good juice or is ideal for processing, such as applesauce, stew apple or cider? The certifruit label from the University of Gembloux guarantees good quality and tells you which varieties do well in your region, be sure to check it out. Once you know which varieties appeal to you and have chosen the right combination for good cross-pollination, look for a grower in your area, preferably one who grafts the trees himself. The advantage is that their trees are grown in the same soil and are therefore more likely to thrive in your garden. Order your chosen fruit variety(ies) on time. So if you dream of having your own fruit tree, it's good timing to look into it now.