Weekend Gardener: Time to start planting fruit trees
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Fruit tree planting season is here. Experts say the earlier you can get them in the ground, the better.
“We can buy these bare root. That’s a great option as well. We just have to make sure the roots don’t dry out, don’t freeze or we can do container grown like this,” said TIm Hartmann with Texas A&M AgirLIfe while showing some options, including a peach tree.
“Really important when we plant these in Brazos County, since we don’t have the best soil to either, plant them in a raised bed or or just kind of a raised mound. Imagine a pitcher’s mound. That will help keep the roots from staying too wet,” said Hartmann.
Hartmann says the trees will also need a little maintenance when you plant.
“This is the hard part, okay, You’ve gotta trust me on this,” he said. “We we’re going to have to cut these trees back. So if it’s a peach, plum or apricot tree, cut it back to about knee to waist high once it’s in the ground. Everything else, like this apple tree, we’ll take about a third of the tree off. Trust me it’s going to be best for that tree.”
