What You Should Know Before Growing A Fruit Tree In Clay Soil

Are you dreaming of having fresh apples, cherries, or peaches straight from your own yard? Before you run out and buy that bare-root pink lady apple sapling, you need to take a look at your soil. One of the biggest mistakes everyone makes when growing fruit trees is to not check to see what type of soil they have. And if you have clay soil, you may be up for a more challenging time trying to grow fruit for your future apple pie. If your soil is sticky and clumps together when you're digging, or cracks form on the surface during dry weather, you likely have clay soil. But don't worry — with some proper planting techniques, soil amendments, a hardy plant, and a plan, you can have the orchard of your dreams.

There are quite a few tips and tricks to help your fruit trees grow and produce faster, but they won't do you any good if you haven't prepared your soil first. Clay soil can be a challenge, but it can still produce healthy fruit trees with abundant harvests. A big problem to overcome when it comes to clay soil is drainage. This type of medium holds on to water like a grandma hoarding her secret cookie recipe. And if you try to plant your fruit tree in it, without the right plan, you will likely stunt the tree, and the excess water will create the perfect environment for disease.

The first step to planting fruit trees, if you are dealing with a challenging soil, is to pick a type of fruit tree that will thrive in clay soil. Many varieties of apple, pear, and plum do better in clay soil than, say, cherry or apricot. Once you've selected your tree, you will need to dig a hole that is shallow and wide. This will ensure that the roots aren't sitting in a puddle of water and have an easier time growing. Before you add your tree, it would be wise to heavily amend your soil with some compost that contains a lot of organic matter and work it well into your native soil. You can then add your fruit tree to the hole and be sure to spread out its roots. Cover the roots with more amended soil and then add mulch around the base of your tree.

After you have successfully planted your chosen fruit tree in your natural clay pot, it's important to care for it properly until it is established. Due to the nature of clay soil, the best method for watering is to water slowly and deeply. You should do this once or twice a week when the tree is newly planted. Once your fruit tree is established, you'll want to water infrequently, when the weather in your region gets dry. 

You also should fertilize very sparingly, as clay soil retains everything. Think of it like a sponge — adding anything to it when it is already full will only compromise the health of your tree. When it begins producing, just follow the suggested pruning practices for your chosen fruit tree, and enjoy your new jam maker.