Why plant your own fruit trees?

There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of wandering into your own garden to pick sun-ripened fruit straight from your own fruit tree. Whether you have a sprawling orchard or a small patio, here are the top reasons to plant a fruit tree.

Unbeatable Flavour & Freshness

Commercial fruit is often harvested before it is fully ripe to ensure it survives the rigours of global shipping and weeks on a shelf. This means the complex sugars and aromatic compounds never have the chance to fully develop.

When you grow your own, you are the master of the harvest. You can wait until the fruit is perfectly ripe, enjoying a level of sweetness and crispness that is simply unattainable from shop-bought produce. From the zesty snap of a fresh pear to the honeyed warmth of a home-grown cherry, the flavour or profile is a revelation.

Incredible Variety

One of the biggest myths in gardening is that you need a massive field to grow fruit. Thanks to modern horticultural techniques, fruit growing is now accessible to almost everyone:

• Dwarfing Rootstocks: These specially bred fruit trees stay small and manageable, making them perfect for standard suburban gardens.

• Training Techniques: Use Espaliers or Cordons to grow fruit flat against a fence or sunny wall—this takes up virtually no ground space while looking incredibly elegant.

• Container Gardening: Many varieties of apple, pear, and cherry are now designed to thrive in large patio pots, meaning you can harvest your own fruit even if you only have a small terrace or balcony.

Better for the Environment

Every fruit tree planted is a small but significant victory for the environment. By integrating edible landscaping into your garden, you are contributing to a healthier local ecosystem.

• Eliminating Food Miles: Your fruit travels mere feet from the branch to the kitchen table, removing the need for carbon-heavy transport, cold storage, and plastic packaging.

• Pollinator Support: In the early spring, fruit blossoms serve as a vital lifeline for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, providing a high-energy nectar source at a time when other food is scarce.

• Carbon Sequestration: Trees are our natural defence against climate change. Your fruit tree will actively absorb CO2 from the air, storing carbon in its wood and roots while pumping fresh oxygen back into your garden.

• Chemical-Free Living: You have total control over the growing process. By choosing organic methods, you ensure that your family is eating fruit free from synthetic pesticides and waxes.

The gift that keeps giving

Unlike flowers that fade or gadgets that go out of style, a fruit tree is a living gift that grows more beautiful and productive with each passing year. Planting a tree is a wonderful way to commemorate life’s big moments—like weddings, new homes, or the birth of a child—creating a lasting memory that can be enjoyed for decades.