Comments on: feeling grateful for great fruiting plants http://awaytogarden.com/feeling-grateful-for-great-fruiting-plants Organic gardening inspiration from Margaret Roach Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:28:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Margaret http://awaytogarden.com/feeling-grateful-for-great-fruiting-plants/comment-page-1#comment-17007 Margaret Tue, 04 May 2010 20:50:56 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=6745#comment-17007 @Carrie: I have my crabapples in grass, sort of in a field-like setting. Like apples and cherries, their petals (when the flowers are done and shatter) and then their fruit can indeed get on things below, though here the birds seem to eat the fruit, so it's not too bad a mess. I don't think that would stop me from having beds under them (I have perennials under my big old apples) but I do acknowledge that it is a little inconvenient (far easier to rake up on the grass-carpeted ones for sure). Even so-called persistent fruit has to give way sometime, and I don't mind since I love these trees so much. @Carrie: I have my crabapples in grass, sort of in a field-like setting. Like apples and cherries, their petals (when the flowers are done and shatter) and then their fruit can indeed get on things below, though here the birds seem to eat the fruit, so it’s not too bad a mess. I don’t think that would stop me from having beds under them (I have perennials under my big old apples) but I do acknowledge that it is a little inconvenient (far easier to rake up on the grass-carpeted ones for sure). Even so-called persistent fruit has to give way sometime, and I don’t mind since I love these trees so much.

]]> By: Carrie http://awaytogarden.com/feeling-grateful-for-great-fruiting-plants/comment-page-1#comment-17001 Carrie Tue, 04 May 2010 17:02:07 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=6745#comment-17001 Hi Margaret, I have a question regarding your crabapples. I have a small yard (only 35'wide X 75' long). I planted a strathmore crabapple last fall about 15 feet from my house. This crabapple is supposed to be upright and narrow (16X13). What I am worried about is the mess the tree will be making near my house. The tree produces small 1/2" fruits that are supposed to be persistent but I found quite a few already on the ground this spring. I have planted this tree in a flower bed with perrenials and shrubs. I am wondering if I should take this tree out or not. If it is going to be dumping all of its apples in my flower beds, I don't think it would be easy to pick up all the fallen fruit. I had a problem with apple maggot last year and my apple tree is only 15 feet away so leaving the crabapples on the ground may be problematic. I actually planted this tree to provide privacy from my neighbour but now I am second guessing my choice of tree. What is your experience with your crabapple trees/other fruit trees? Do you have them planted in a flower bed or in the grass? How do you deal with the mess? I would be grateful for your insight. Thank you, Carrie Hi Margaret,
I have a question regarding your crabapples. I have a small yard (only 35′wide X 75′ long). I planted a strathmore crabapple last fall about 15 feet from my house. This crabapple is supposed to be upright and narrow (16X13). What I am worried about is the mess the tree will be making near my house. The tree produces small 1/2″ fruits that are supposed to be persistent but I found quite a few already on the ground this spring. I have planted this tree in a flower bed with perrenials and shrubs. I am wondering if I should take this tree out or not. If it is going to be dumping all of its apples in my flower beds, I don’t think it would be easy to pick up all the fallen fruit. I had a problem with apple maggot last year and my apple tree is only 15 feet away so leaving the crabapples on the ground may be problematic. I actually planted this tree to provide privacy from my neighbour but now I am second guessing my choice of tree. What is your experience with your crabapple trees/other fruit trees? Do you have them planted in a flower bed or in the grass? How do you deal with the mess? I would be grateful for your insight.

Thank you,
Carrie

]]> By: Margaret http://awaytogarden.com/feeling-grateful-for-great-fruiting-plants/comment-page-1#comment-12662 Margaret Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:29:31 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=6745#comment-12662 Welcome, Lisa, and thank you for the great tale of your life there with all its great creatures. I am sorry to saddle you with that heavy Stewartia, but expect you two will be very happy together (once your back stops aching). :) I expect a flock of something to strip the hollies here any day now, though some years I get lucky and they take them later, in January-ish. Like you said, they are really planted for that purpose, so no worry. I hope to see you here again soon. Welcome, Lisa, and thank you for the great tale of your life there with all its great creatures. I am sorry to saddle you with that heavy Stewartia, but expect you two will be very happy together (once your back stops aching). :) I expect a flock of something to strip the hollies here any day now, though some years I get lucky and they take them later, in January-ish. Like you said, they are really planted for that purpose, so no worry. I hope to see you here again soon.

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