BE FRUITFUL

Whether you have a small backyard or simply want variety, dwarf fruit trees might just be the solution

- Karen Booth

Small-space gardening can be a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to get creative. Backyards are getting smaller and for an increasing number of people, the only outdoor space they have to grow plants in is a courtyard, terrace, or deck — sometimes just a balcony — but thinking smart can take you a long way.

We all know container gardening is great for smaller outdoor areas, as are vertical gardens, which allow you to introduce a little greenery without taking up valuable ground space. But what if you want to grow fruit trees? Well, you can do that too. Thanks to the proliferation of dwarf fruit trees, you don’t need a big backyard with an orchard to enjoy juicy apples, pears or plums plucked straight from the branch.

If you’ve not given it a lot of thought until now, you’ll be pleased to know the range of dwarf and miniature fruit trees is diverse and readily available from most nurseries. These are trees that might grow to heights between 2.5m and 3.5m, depending on the variety, but some measure a modest 1m-1.5m high. That said, the fruit they bear will be the same size as that produced by their taller-growing cousins — and just as delicious.

“Dwarf fruit trees take up much less space in the garden, so if you have a limited area to grow trees, they will be the best option,” says Glenice Buck, founder of horticultural and landscaping business Glenice Buck Designs.