Meli, peri, prugne o ciliegi andranno tutti bene nel sud dell'Inghilterra su terreni argillosi. Cose a cui prestare attenzione.

In primo luogo i meli e i peri non sono autofertili, quindi dovreste piantare almeno due alberi che abbiano lo stesso periodo di fioritura, a meno che non sappiate per certo che ci sono altri alberi nelle vicinanze che non saranno abbattuti. Ci sono cultivar autofertili sia di ciliegio che di prugna.

In secondo luogo per tutti questi alberi ci sono una varietà di portainnesti disponibili. Assicurati di sceglierne uno che produca un albero di dimensioni appropriate per il tuo giardino. Un albero è un investimento a lungo termine, quindi vale la pena fare una ricerca approfondita su internet piuttosto che scegliere qualcosa a caso in un centro di giardinaggio.

In terzo luogo, l'area che piantate dovrà essere ben preparata con materiale organico scavato. Una volta che il tuo albero si metterà in moto andrà bene, ma mentre si stabilisce, l'argilla nuda è un po' poco accogliente. Avrà anche bisogno di essere annaffiato nei periodi di siccità durante i primi due anni prima che le sue radici si stabiliscano correttamente.

Infine, se decidete di piantare una ciliegia e avete scelto un tipo autofecondante, dovrete fare una rete per avere le ciliegie, altrimenti i dannati uccelli le prenderanno tutte.

Nick has some great advice on the site to explore for the right type of apple tree for your particular location. You might also want to check out the “Beauty of Bath” apple tree. The two different varieties of the Beauty of Bathapple tree can grow from 4-5 m up to 25 m at maturity.

The most challenging aspect of your project is going to be the soil that you are going to plant your apple tree in. Clay soil is notorious for restricting the growth of a trees root system due to its density, lack of oxygen and inability to release valuable nutrients back to the plant.

Your task, should you choose to accept it will be to amend the soil around your intended planting area to allow optimum growth for your apple tree of choice. All apple trees will perform best in a sandy loamy type soil with a pH of around 6.5. Just digging a hole and sticking the new tree in the hole is not a viable option if you want your new tree to grow and prosper.

If you find that you have a heavy clay soil, you will need break up the sub soils and add plenty of damp organic soil conditioner as well as adding some sand, pea gravel and a good quality potting soil which will have perlite in it. All this can help to improve soil texture. Do not use a sedge peat or spent mushroom compost as these can be too alkaline. Remember, you are shooting for a pH of 6.5.

Do all of your soil preparation, before you plant your tree. You may even want to consider creating a bit of a mound to help your new trees root system get a good start. Once the planting area has been prepared, do not walk on it. Walking on your newly prepared soil will compress it.

Drainage has always been a problem with clay soils so amending your soil prior to planting your apple tree will be of the utmost importance. Spring planting is best to promote the optimum growth for your new apple tree. Clay soil stays very cold in the fall and can increase the mortality rate of your newly planted tree. Plant your apple tree in the spring time when the soil has warmed up. You can do your soil preparation in the fall, but wait until the warmth of spring to plant your apple tree.

Be sure to mulch frequently, keeping a 3-4 inch layer around the drip line of the tree. Do not mulch all the way up to the base of the tree. Leave about 6-8 inches of space around the base of the tree to allow the tree to breath.

Be sure to share your project with us and let us know how your tree is progressing. Take some pictures of your tree when it is planted and as it is growing.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.