I think now is the right time of year? It might be worth checking out the link below:
http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/blog/2013/research/apples/apple-varieties-in-our-collection/ (http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/blog/2013/research/apples/apple-varieties-in-our-collection/)
If they are bare rooted and available then yes now is a suitable time. Just remeber to soah the tress for 24 hours before planting.
If grown and supplied in pots (like from garden centres) they can be planted any time!
The latter however is a very expensive way to but trees of dubious age unless you really know and trust them.
Lidl/Aldi will have bare rooted fruit trees in store usually in Jan/Feb.
I have 8 perry trees on order - expecting in January.
Quote from: Will_D on November 29, 2013, 03:28:17 PM
I have 8 perry trees on order - expecting in January.
Perry? have you spliced the genetic code of pears and cherries to create the ultimate fruit for making booze from?
Quote from: imark on November 29, 2013, 04:06:14 PM
Quote from: Will_D on November 29, 2013, 03:28:17 PM
I have 8 perry trees on order - expecting in January.
Perry? have you spliced the genetic code of pears and cherries to create the ultimate fruit for making booze from?
Pear cider is called Perry!
The best pear juice comes from specific old varieties. Desert pears are not that good for perry making.
Perry pears are usually higher in Tannins and acids than desert varieties.
Nah...I was hoping they were cherry trees so I could persuade Will into contributing to a kriek when we pull from the lambic barrel.
Quote from: imark on November 29, 2013, 05:53:26 PM
Nah...I was hoping they were cherry trees so I could persuade Will into contributing to a kriek when we pull from the lambic barrel.
Ok - wait a few years and we will see. I love cherry trees particularly the ones with fruit so sour the birds will leave it alone.
Planting a bunch tomorrow, eating, cooking, a couple of ciders and some pears, all bare root. Thanks for the tip about soaking, will start tomorrow while I dig the holes-not ideal, but better than nothing.
An alternative to seedsavers for people in south west of ireland would be Future forests in west cork. Very competitive prices too. They have bare root fruit trees etc of various kinds around this time of the year
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Quote from: Dr Horrible on November 29, 2013, 10:53:54 PM
Planting a bunch tomorrow, eating, cooking, a couple of ciders and some pears, all bare root. Thanks for the tip about soaking, will start tomorrow while I dig the holes-not ideal, but better than nothing.
Unless your land is very well drained digging a hole is not recommended - its also hard work.
Use the Forestry notch planting system:Forestry notch planting for fruit trees is essentially cutting a two slits with a spade to form a "T" shape in the turf. Prise up and fold back the two flaps of turf made by the "T" cut, and plant the tree in the hole thus created. Fold the sod back into place and firm in by treading it down. Planting in this way gives a firm footing, avoids disrupting thousands of years of soil structure and the associated life forms which are essential for your trees' health. It avoids creating the back filled stagnant ponds that excavated tree pits can become, and takes a lot less time and effort than digging big holes.
More info here:
http://www.forestryfocus.ie/growing-forests-3/establishing-forests/planting/
Just saw this post now because I was out planting so unfortunately your advice was too late. The land is well drained though, so hopefully all will be ok. Your link is very interesting and I intend to plant more trees in the future so will take all this on board.
It was a really nice day to be out anyway so no harm done. Trying a selection of trees to see which do best, hoping the Dabinette and Jonagold do well.
http://youtu.be/vfCbNVyA3UU