Q. I have seven fruit trees, including some citrus, I
planted in half whiskey barrels about 3 years ago. They all have had fruit the
past two years. I want to transplant them into the ground in order to get more
fruit. Is it best to transplant them in the fall or early spring?
planted in half whiskey barrels about 3 years ago. They all have had fruit the
past two years. I want to transplant them into the ground in order to get more
fruit. Is it best to transplant them in the fall or early spring?
A. Fall is always the best time to plant things that are
not winter tender. So in the case of fruit trees like apple, pear, peach,
nectarine, apricot, etc. it is best from mid-September to about mid-October.
not winter tender. So in the case of fruit trees like apple, pear, peach,
nectarine, apricot, etc. it is best from mid-September to about mid-October.
It is a
bit late now for fall planting unless you know the spot is protected from wind and
a warm microclimate. These are places with a lot of heat from reflecting walls
such as south or west facing.
bit late now for fall planting unless you know the spot is protected from wind and
a warm microclimate. These are places with a lot of heat from reflecting walls
such as south or west facing.
In the
case of winter tender trees like your citrus, it is best to plant them in the
spring, about mid-January through about mid-March. It does not mean you cannot
plant them other times but dates outside of these planting “windows” are more
stressful to the plants. It then just depends on weather conditions, the
microclimate and your skills as a gardener.
case of winter tender trees like your citrus, it is best to plant them in the
spring, about mid-January through about mid-March. It does not mean you cannot
plant them other times but dates outside of these planting “windows” are more
stressful to the plants. It then just depends on weather conditions, the
microclimate and your skills as a gardener.