Hi all gardening friends

Good Evening, Im Sarah from Wakefield, West Yorkshire. I started gardening during Shutdown, not through boredom, Ive been very busy nursing on a covid ward. So gardening has been my respite during this horrible time and I have started to really enjoy it. I garden before and after work shifts, maybe to help me forget the work routine.
My garden is a biggish corner plot with fantastic sun all day and I know I have made mistakes been a rookie but Im loving my time in the garden.
Hopefully you can all help me establish this beginners plot with any guidance I need. Many thanks in advance for any advice given. Sarah
P. Im thinking of getting some patio fruit tree in pots. Good idea or disaster for rookie gardeners like myself?

 

Hi @Appleblossom31 ,

Welcome to the forum

Always worth trying fruit in pots, plenty of videos from the suppliers on how to look after and prune them correctly, though its a year or two before you get any real fruit.

We started to get a good crop on our Cordons, but then one of these strong summer winds came along and due the weight of the fruit them main stem snapped in half - so do make sure your Cordons (?) are well staked !

Also look at the other ways to train fruit tree for small gardens like Espalier or just a simple Step Over.

Fan Trained & Espalier Fruit Trees - cordon fruit trees for sale

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner Sarah. That's a tough and emotional job you have, thank you for taking care of the people you're nursing.

I think we all find our gardens a place to switch off from what is happening further afield. Enjoy it!

 

Awe many thanks. I love my job and hopefully Im going to love gardening just as much!

 

Thanks for the advice re the fruit tree Im definitely going to give them a go. Do the tree cost the same price all year? Or is there a time of year I can get one cheaper?

 

Hello Sarah.

May I say. You and your collegues have my sincere admiration for the work you do. It reall hurts me, when I hear and witness some of the abuse you get from those you are devoted to be helping.

Yes GC really is The Friendly Gardening Forum. Help and advice is always on tap. From personal experience. I doubt if there is much in the way of cheaper plants, however, it is always worth while asking....do you give any discounts to, medical staff etc.

 

Thanks for your support Mike. Im seriously thinking patio fruit are going to be my next venture and maybe some climbing edible fruits if thats how you can grow fruits?? As your guessing im a complete beginner.

 

Hi,

You can grow many fruits in pots, the apples, pears and cherries Cordons that are bred for small sizes to go on patios etc.
Stawberries again ideal for pots.

However many plants like Raspberries, Blackberries, though you can grow them in pots or get dwarf varieties, will really benefit from being in the gardens soil and will give you a much better return in volume of fruit.

Most such plants are typically supplied between late Autumn and early Spring and its often best to buy them as bare rooted rather than expensive pot grown ones.
Would also recommend you buy them direct from the growers, not just suppliers. to get the freshest stock.
Have a look at the web sites of some of these well know growers, others around too.

Soft Fruit Bushes, Plants, Canes & Vines | James McIntyre & Sons
Fruit Trees And Soft Fruit Plants For Sale | Buy Plants Online
Fruit Trees For Sale, Buy Online by Mail Order | Ashridge Nurseries

 

Hello @Appleblossom31 and welcome to the forums

 

Thanks for giving me the info for suppliers

 

Big thanks for the warm welcome Logan

 

Hi ARMANDIIthanks for the warm welcome!

 

Welcome to GC, I'm a bit late with this but better late than never

 

Hi @Appleblossom31 a belated