🍇 Why Autumn Is the Secret Season for Fruit Planting

Most gardeners think Spring is planting season. But here’s the insider truth: Autumn is nature’s backstage pass to fruit success. From late October through February, the soil’s still warm, the air is cool and plants are entering dormancy - the perfect storm for root establishment.

🌿 Amazing Fact #1: Roots Don’t Hibernate

Even when the top of the plant sleeps, roots keep growing underground. That means:

• Trees planted now develop twice as much root mass before Spring compared to Spring-planted ones
• They’re better anchored, more drought-resistant, and ready to fruit sooner

🌧️ Amazing Fact #2: Rain Is Your Free Irrigation System

Autumn’s natural rainfall means:

• Less watering required
• Soil settles gently around roots, reducing transplant shock
• You save time and money while nature does the heavy lifting

🧬 Amazing Fact #3: Mycorrhizal Fungi = Nature’s Wi-Fi

Add Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi to the planting hole and you’re plugging your tree into a hidden underground network:

• These fungi form symbiotic links with roots, expanding their reach
• They help absorb nutrients and water more efficiently
• It’s like giving your tree a personal assistant underground

🛠️ What You’ll Need: Compost, Fertilisers & Accessories

Here’s your garden centre’s operational checklist - ideal for bundling into seasonal promotions:

✅ Compost & Soil Prep

• John Innes No. 3: perfect for container-grown fruit trees
• Well-rotted manure or leaf mould: improves soil structure and feeds long-term
• Ericaceous compost: essential for blueberries and other acid-loving plants

✅ Fertilisers

• Bonemeal: slow-release phosphorus for root growth
• Vitax Q4 or Growmore: balanced feed for fruiting success
• Sulphate of potash: boosts flowering and fruit quality (apply in spring)

✅ Accessories

• Tree stakes & soft ties: prevent wind rock and support upright growth
• Rootgrow: for fungal root enhancement
• Mulch mats or bark chips: suppress weeds and retain moisture
• Water butts: collect rainwater for eco-friendly irrigation

🌳 Planting Tips for Maximum Success

• Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, but no deeper
• Mix compost and bonemeal into the base
• Firm in gently and water thoroughly
• Stake if needed, and mulch around the base

🎯 Final Thought: Plant Now, Harvest Earlier

Autumn planting isn’t just smart - it’s strategic. Whether it’s a patio plum or a full orchard, planting now means:

• Faster establishment
• Less maintenance
• Earlier and better harvests

DON'T FORGET! Everything you need for successful fruit tree growing is available at The Gardening Club