May is an awesome month to get ready for planting fruit trees this winter. As you work out what you want to buy and which tree is going where, keep your radar on the rootstocks. What a game changer when both the scion + rootstock are well matched to your situation – they zoom their way to fruit.
We tend to focus all our attention on the fruiting tops, the named variety (or scion) eg: Granny Smith or Black Doris, but there are 2 parts to a grafted tree and the bottom part (the rootstock), is incredibly important as well! Its the bit that determines whether or not the tree is well matched to your climate and soil and how tall its going to get. Essential info, aye.
This can sound more involved than it is – its truly not that tricky, there are only a few types of rootstock. Here’s a useful list of common NZ ones and their attributes. The Treecrops chapter in my book, starts on pg 264 and takes you through them also. Specialist fruit tree nurseries know all the rootstocks of their stock and will help you choose well. If the label on the fruit tree only lists the height and not the type of rootstock used, you’re missing out. Take some time this month, for a little rootstock research and learning, it’ll make all the difference.
We’ve kicked May off breathing in the crisp, clean Kaikoura air. We’re parked at Mangamaunu with a view to die for – the ocean one side and the snow dusted Seaward Kaikoura ranges the other. We’re here a few more days then we’ll trundle further south and across the mountains for sometime on the wild west coast.
Yours in the earth,
much ❤️
