The perfect start: Where and how to plant fruit?

Do you dream of juicy apples, sweet strawberries or crunchy blueberries from your own garden? Starting a fruit garden is one of the most rewarding projects you can undertake. But a successful harvest begins long before the first blossom appears. The success of your fruit plants depends on getting the start right: the location and the soil.

In this guide, we'll explain step-by-step what to look out for when planting fruit trees and fruit bushes, so you can enjoy a bountiful harvest in a few seasons.

1. The golden rule: Seek out the sun

Almost all fruit varieties are true sun worshippers. Sunlight is the engine behind sugar production in the fruit. The more sun your plant gets, the sweeter and larger your fruit will be.

* Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day): This is a must for fruit trees such as apples, pears, cherries and plums, as well as for Mediterranean varieties such as figs.

* Partial shade (4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day): Do you have a somewhat shadier garden? Don't panic. Berries such as raspberries, blackberries, redcurrants and blueberries also do surprisingly well in partial shade.

Tip: When choosing the spot, also consider the wind. Young fruit trees and delicate spring blossoms do not tolerate harsh, strong winds well. Preferably plant larger trees in a sheltered spot, for example near a fence or hedge on the south or west side.

2. The soil: The foundation for healthy roots

You can have the perfect sunny spot, but if the soil is not in order, the plant will lag behind. Fruit trees and bushes do not like 'wet feet'. Is the ground constantly waterlogged? Then the roots will rot.

Testing and improving the ideal soil type

Most fruit plants prefer nutritious, airy and well-draining soil. Here's how to prepare your soil:

Sandy soil: Water and nutrients drain away quickly here. Solution: When planting, mix plenty of organic material (such as compost or special potting soil) into the planting hole to retain moisture better.

Clay soil: Clay retains water for a very long time and can become very compact, suffocating roots. Solution: Loosen the soil deeply and mix in compost and coarse sand to improve its structure.

Acidic soil (Especially for blueberries!): Note: lime-loving plants hate acidic soil, but the popular blueberry loves it. Always plant blueberries in special peat litter or acidic potting soil.

3. Step-by-step plan: How to plant your new fruit plants

Have you found the perfect spot and prepared the soil? Then it's time to plant! The best time to plant fruit trees (bare-rooted) is between November and March (if there's no frost). Potted fruit plants can be planted all year round.

Follow this simple step-by-step plan for a guaranteed good start:

[Step 1: Dig] 👉 Dig a planting hole that is twice as wide and deep as the plant's root ball.

[Step 2: Loosen soil] 👉 Loosen the side walls and bottom of the hole well with a spade.

[Step 3: Nourish] 👉 Mix the excavated soil with high-quality organic planting soil.

[Step 4: Hydrate] 👉 First, submerge the plant's root ball in a bucket of water until saturated.

[Step 5: Plant] 👉 Place the plant in the hole. Make sure the top of the root ball is level with the ground.

[Step 6: Fill & Firm] 👉 Fill the hole with the improved soil and gently firm it down around the plant with your feet.

[Step 7: Water] 👉 Water generously immediately so that the soil settles well around the roots.

Extra tip for fruit trees: The tree stake

Young fruit trees need support in the first two years to grow straight and develop strong roots. Immediately after planting, place a tree stake on the windward side (usually the southwest side) and secure the tree to it with a flexible tree tie.

Ready to harvest?

Planting your own fruit garden requires a little patience, but the moment you eat the first home-grown fruit straight from the bush makes it all worthwhile.

Have you chosen your location and prepared the soil? Then discover in our next article how to prune your fruit trees and bushes correctly for an even bigger harvest!