(NAPSA)—Growingfruit trees is one of the most popular formsof edible gardening. According to the National Gardening Association, more than 12 million households grow fruit in this country. That’s about as many households as there are in the entire state of California. Better taste, saving money and better quality are the top three reasons for growing fruit trees in our backyards. “There’s nothing better than the taste of an apple, orange or lemon that you grow in your own backyard,” said Lance Walheim, author of “Citrus” and gardening expert for Bayer Advanced™. “A tree hasto be at least two or three years old to bear fruit, but once it does, you'll be enjoying baskets of fruits for 10 to 30 years.” How MuchFruit You’ll Get From One Tree Each Year Orange 300 Ibs. Lemon 200 Ibs. Cherry 100 lbs. Dwarf apple 84Ibs. Sources: Cooperative Extension Services and growers Helpful Tips *Choose the right fruit. Orange, lemon, grapefruit and other kinds of citrus require mild winter weather. Apple and cherry trees will do well in colder regions of the country. Your local cooperative extension agent can suggest the best varieties for your area. *Mini-orchard vs. container. Apple trees, as well as some varieties of plum and peartrees, require cross-pollination for fruit to grow. You’ll need to plant at least two trees in your yard. If you don’t have the room, consider dwarf varieties or growing fruit trees in containers. One mature orange tree can generate 300Ibs.of fruit a year. Choose a sunny spot. Most fruit trees require six to eight hours of direct sunlight and welldrained soil. Mulch and fertilization. You'll need three to four inches of organic mulch to keep the weeds out, the moisture in andto protect the roots. Apply nitrogen fertilizer regularly. *Protect against destructive pests. Aphids, whiteflies, Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Leafminers are serious pests. Bayer Advanced Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control (www.Bayer Advanced.com) kills destructive pests and prevents new infestations. Just mix in a water bucket and apply at the base of the tree. Always read and follow label directions. * Watering. Water deeply when the top few inches ofsoil are dry. Pruning. Proper pruning promotes the quality and size of the fruit. Apple, peach and pear trees should be pruned during the dormant season to ensure bigger fruit.
