Page 22 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2024/25

Plants for
problem places
GERRY EDWARDS FNVS
Although this might be harsh, I suspect that most gardeners do not have what they perceive should be ideal fruit growing conditions in their gardens and therefore quite often do not grow anything useful in what might seem to be the most challenging places. This is very unfortunate as almost anywhere in the garden can grow plants well except, perhaps, very dry and very dark places. And from my fruit growing perspective I can advise you that fruit can be grown almost anywhere in your garden other than those two places I have just noted.
Moving on now to what many gardeners seem to think is the worst possible soil
and that is London Clay or any other
sort of clay. Well actually it’s not and it is absolutely ideal for growing apples which is why they grow so well in this country; even the thickest of clay soils can be converted to a very good, friable soil if it is worked
on. The absolutely ideal way to turn a thick clay soil into a pleasurable easy to work soil is by double digging (whether you are a dig or non-dig person the ground must be dug over once unless you are going to grow on the surface) and that is exactly what I do. This not only helps incorporate bulky organic matter into the clay but it also stops a hard “pan” form underneath the topsoil. Although double digging does involve a fair amount of elbow grease the results will be worth every moment spent. It is a simple process – line out an area
to dig, strip off the topsoil and lay that to one side. Now dig over the next layer to a
depth of one spade and incorporate as much bulky matter as you can find. Garden compost is ideal but well-rotted manure and the contents of old grow bags will equally work. When the bottom layer has been dug over add back the topsoil and then leave the soil to settle for a few weeks before planting.
What you mustn’t do in heavy clay soils
is simply dig planting holes as these will act as sumps in wet weather and roots sitting in water will either rot and die or just dieback. Apart from apples you can grow other top fruits in clay soils such as pears, plums, quinces and medlars assuming
that you have prepared the soil as I have suggested. You will not need to water these trees other than at planting time – I agree fully with Gerry’s comments above, double
So, let’s start at perhaps what is considered the most challenging of
areas and that is shade or partial shade. Quite surprisingly to some this is not as challenging as might be thought and there is a fairly extensive range of fruit plants and trees that can be grown in these conditions. An ideal fruit tree for shady fences and walls is the acid Morello cherry. This really seems to thrive
in these conditions, and I
really despair when I see
it given precious warm
fence or wall space. A fan
is the best way to grow
this cherry but it can be
grown as a stand-alone
bush if required. The good
thing about these cherries
– apart from their cooking
qualities – is that birds
don’t particularly like them. They would rather eat the sweet cherries! The good old-fashioned damsons will also thrive in shady conditions – both as fans and bush trees – as will gooseberries. Indeed, when I grew a large amount of gooseberry plants I always grew them in shady areas leaving more sunny areas for my red and white currants. Growing gooseberries as single, double or triple cordons is probably the best approach though.
Cordons
Apple 'Charles Ross'
digging is well worthwhile even if you are a no-digger! – Ed
Perhaps the opposite to heavy, water retaining clay soils are dry sites which inevitably have dry thin soils. Strangely enough these are dealt with in a similar way as what we aim to achieve is good water retention. This can be achieved by adding
a good amount of bulky material as before preferably incorporating in both levels if double digging. Providing the dry site does get a good amount of light and sun most soft and top fruits can be grown but it will be very important to water on a regular basis. If this is not going to be achievable you will need to consider planting some
of the more drought tolerant fruit such as figs – with the roots enclosed – blackberries and outdoor grapes. Apricots, peaches and nectarines will tolerate some drought but not over a prolonged period.
A fan is the best way to grow this cherry but it can be grown as a stand-alone bush if required
22 Simply Vegetables
Medlar 'Royal'
Fan trained on the end of a shed