fruit trees.

[mimififi]

I would like to plant several fruit trees around my garden. I would like apple, pear and plum and was wondering what is the best time of year to plant these. Also, does anyone have any good places in which to purchase said trees?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations as to varieties? I know they need to compliment each other to aid pollenation, but I am clueless as to when eack variety is in blossom and so which ones to choose. I would like both eating and cooking apple trees.
Any help from orchard experts, greatly appreciated.
cheers

[Postdog]

I'm not a gardener, but many years ago I bought and planted (in the spring) self pollenating plum and apple trees. Both are doing well.

[skylight]

Hi again mimi This would be my choice - Dessert apples: James Grieve, Cox's Orange Pippin, Fiesta. Cooking Apple: Bramley's Seedling. Plum: Victoria. Pear: Conference. They are all same fertile group, some are partly self fertile. November to March is th.e sort of traditional time for planting, but again container grown trees can be planted any time weather permitted. Use peat based compost for planting and some bonemeal. If you have a decent garden centre near at hand they should have someone who should be able to tell you the dos and donts. I personally wouldn't buy mail order trees, you are better seeing what you are buying..... best of luck.

[mimififi]

cool, thanks guys, that is really good info. Will try my favourite haunt down in rustington.

cheers.

[WendyS]

You may find difficult in hunting down your preferred varieties at garden centres.
www.sutton-seeds.co.uk offer a full on-line service for supplying all fruit trees and bushes and their website gives full illustrated information as well as an ordering facility.
I can certainly recommend the Bramley apple as being far and away the best apple flavour for cooking. Itt also has very good storage facilities.
Victoria plum is the best flavoured plum & is self fertile so you only need one. . Conference pears stay firmer for longer than Comice, which goes soft & pappy quite quickly. Cox apple is many people's favourite but I find the flavour rather rich and it isn't particularly juicy. If you have any farm shops near you, try and visit them fairly soon now the apple harvest is starting. You may be able to try some varieties you haven't tasted before which may appeal to you and which may not necessarily be available from a garden centre but an on-line supplier could possibly provide.
The Suttons catalogue will also be able to provide info about where cross-pollination is necessary...