• Home
  • Mama’s Bio
  • Mama’s Homestead
  • Contact Me
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Mama’s Homestead

~Our Simple Life~

  • Homesteading
  • Homegrown
  • Homemade
  • Homekeeping
  • Beekeeping
  • Classes On My Homestead
    • Homesteading Classes
    • Beekeeping Classes
    • Homemaking Classes
    • Exploring the Outdoors Classes
Homestead Rambling, Homesteading, Orchard

How to Plant a Fruit Tree

January 22, 2011

How to Plant a Fruit tree

How to Plant a Fruit Tree

How to Plant a Fruit tree

  1. Location/ Time of Year: Check with your local Nursery or Garden Center for the best location to plant your specific kind of fruit tree (i.e. full sun, partial shade, well drained soil, sandy soil, etc.).  Plan this carefully your tree will be there a long time.  The best time of the year to plant or transplant a fruit tree is late Fall/ early Winter or early Spring.
  2. Soaking: When you receive a fruit tree via mail order or from a nursery it will sometimes be a bare-root tree.  I will tell you how to plant a bare root tree and a potted tree.  The ones we bought were bare-root and my pictures reflect that.  For bare-root trees, when you receive them, you will need to soak them in a bucket of water for 12-24 hours before planting.  This allows the tree to soak up a maximum quantity of water to give it a good start.  Potted fruit trees do not need to be soaked.

    How to Plant a Fruit Tree: Soaking the trees

    Soaking the trees

  3. Pruning the Roots: Using a pair of pruning shears, cut off any broken or damaged roots and shorten any extra long roots.  You never want to bend the roots to fit them in the hole.  Potted trees need to be taken out of their pots and have their roots loosened on the sides and bottom (not so much that you knock off a lot of the dirt) and trimmed before planting.
  4. Digging the Hole: Using a digging shovel, dig a hole at least as wide as the roots of the tree and deep enough to cover the roots of the tree.  If your tree is grafted, be sure the graft will be above the ground.  Loosen the soil on the bottom and sides of the hole.

    How to Plant a Fruit Tree: Digging the hole

    Digging the hole

  5. Placing the Tree: Place the tree in the center of the hole and lift it so the grafted union (usually marked with paint at the nursery) is at least 2 inches above the ground, so the scion does not take root. Start to back fill the hole. 

    How to Plant a Fruit Tree: Placing the tree and filling the hole

    Placing the tree and filling the hole

  6. Filling the Hole/Watering:  Keep filling the hole with soil (still holding the tree) packing dirt around the roots. Water your tree as you pack the soil to prevent air pockets by the roots.  You may want to use a slow-release fertilizer such as Miracle Grow as you water or use Miracle Grow Fertilizer Spikes.  Continue to water every 7-10 days allowing the soil to dry between watering.

    How to Plant a Fruit Tree: Packing the dirt around the roots

    Packing the dirt around the roots

  7. Mulching: Mulching can help keep moisture in the soil, just be careful not to pile it up around the trunk of the tree.  Use good quality, aged mulch from a trusted Garden Center or Landscaping Company to help prevent diseases.
  8. Staking: You may need to stake a tree that is smaller.  When staking, use a 5-6 foot long stake and put it in to the ground about 1.5-2 feet on the South side of the tree.  Tie a piece of twine tightly around the stake using a square knot, then tie the twine loosely around the tree (so the tree is in a loop) using a square knot.

Get your kids involved in the planting process.  My kids helped with digging, filling the holes, and watering.  They seemed to have fun with the process and, don’t tell them, they learned an important skill.  I think it gives them a sense of accomplishment, even more so when you start to see the “fruits” of your labor.

With proper care (i.e. pruning, watering, fertilizing, etc.) your fruit tree will bare fruit for years to come!

Trees in orchard

Trees in orchard


apple orchard apples berry bushes crab apple fruit trees orchard peaches
by Nelle 
2 Comments

About Nelle

I am Nelle. I grew up in rural, small town, Ohio. When I was young, I learned a lot about homesteading from my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, 4-H, FFA, and others around me. Now, I’m all grown up, have 6 children of my own, and plan to teach them everything I know. Here on Mama’s Homestead, we talk and write about homesteading, homeschooling, and kidsteading (homesteading with kids). We teach our kids about survival, self-sufficiency, gardening (vegetable, herb, flower), orchard, beekeeping, home keeping, soap making, harvesting, cooking, food preservation, livestock, nature, crafts, homesteading tools and wares, and more… Welcome to my homestead…come and learn with us!

View all posts by Nelle

Related Posts

  • Canning PeachesCanning Peaches
  • Peach ButterPeach Butter
  • Prune RaspberriesHow to Prune Raspberries
  • Homesteading PathMaking Plans for a New Year of Homesteading
next article: Our Trees and Bushes Came In

Leave Your Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to my homestead!

Hello, I'm Nelle Weaver!
I grew up on a small farm in Ohio and experienced various aspects of homesteading. I learned many skills from my grandparents and parents and from being involved in 4-H and FFA.  
My husband and I write about our simple life here on Mama's Homestead and teach classes on our homestead in central Ohio, where we raise goats, chickens, and rabbits, have an orchard, garden, keep bees, and much more. Read More…

Search Mama’s Homestead:

Connect With Me!

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Shop Amazon…

Recent Posts:

  • Mango Fruit Leather
    Mango Fruit Leather

    Mango fruit leather has turned out to be one of my kids' favorites. The sugar is totally optional, but it makes it much sweeter and cuts the tartness. Read more →

  • Lemon Lime Soda Jelly
    Lemon Lime Soda Jelly

    This Lemon Lime Soda Jelly is delicious. I added a fresh lemon and a fresh l fresh lime to the mix to give it a rich, tangy flavor. It will make you pucker, a little. Read more →

  • Cream Soda Jelly
    Cream Soda Jelly

    Cream soda...do you like yours red or amber colored? I chose the amber colored version for my cream soda jelly. I like the flavor better. Plus, I added a teaspoon of vanilla, just for added vanilla goodness. Read more →

  • Homestead Beef Jerky
    Homestead Beef Jerky

    This beef jerky recipe has been used in our family for many years. I love the flavor. It tastes like it was dried over a wood fire. We have also used this recipe for venison. Read more →

  • Grape Soda Jelly
    Grape Soda Jelly

    Up next, Grape Soda Jelly. I think this would probably be my sister's favorite soda. She loves all things purple. This soda jelly, surprisingly tastes a lot like regular grape jelly you would buy at the grocery store. Read more →

  • Orange Soda Jelly
    Orange Soda Jelly

    I remember growing up, this was one of my favorite flavors of soda, plus orange was my favorite color. I added orange juice to my orange soda jelly recipe to give it a tiny bit of healthfulness and add to the orange flavor. Read more →

  • Homemade Noodles
    Homemade Noodles

    When I was growing up, my mom made homemade noodles and cook them in homemade chicken broth. This was such a tasty treat. The store bought kind do not even come close. Read more →

Mama’s Homestead Posts

  • Mango Fruit Leather December 2, 2014
  • Lemon Lime Soda Jelly November 18, 2014
  • Cream Soda Jelly November 17, 2014
  • Homestead Beef Jerky November 17, 2014
  • Grape Soda Jelly November 12, 2014
  • Orange Soda Jelly November 12, 2014
  • Homemade Noodles November 12, 2014

Mama’s Homestead Archives

Unable to communicate with Instagram.

Follow Me @mamashomestead

Copyright © 2023 · Prima Donna theme by Georgia Lou Studios