How to Grow a Multi-Fruit Orchard

Start all fruit tree seedlings in spring when the ground warms and thaws. This reduces shock to the new trees and makes digging easier. Plant 1- to 2-year-old nursery seedlings for best success.

Choose your trees according to your growing zone. Apples, apricots, cherries and plums grow down to U.S. Department of Agriculture Growing Zone 4, while peaches, nectarines and pears grow to Zone 5. Tropical and citrus trees like oranges, lemons, limes and avocados grow only to Zones 10 and 11. Plant at least two of each tree for best pollination and fruit production.

Choose a site for your orchard where each tree will get full sun, good air and site drainage, and at least 20 feet of space. If you plant dwarf or semi-dwarf trees, give each tree 10 to 15 feet of space in the row. Fruit trees cannot grow or produce in shade, standing water or crowded plantings.

Till the dirt in individual 2-foot-square sites to a depth of 24 inches for each seedling. Turn 12 to 14 inches of organic compost into the soil for a moister, looser and more nutritious starting foundation. This foundation gives the trees the best resources and room for root growth and establishment, and provides long-term slow-release nutrition.

Plant each fruit tree seedling in a hole as deep and twice as wide as its root ball. Fill the holes slowly with amended soil for best root-to-soil contact, and water each tree with 1/2 gallon of water. Prune the trees down to 30 to 36 inches to encourage new sprouting.

Mulch the area around each tree with 2 inches of organic mulch and put the trees on a schedule of 2 inches of water every week. The trees establish and grow best with consistent moisture and warmth.

Fertilize the fruit trees with granular 10-10-10 fertilizer when they show new growth. Sprinkle the fertilizer onto the ground in a circle around the trees, with 6 inches of space between the fertilizer and the trunks, and turn the fertilizer into the top 4 inches of soil. Water the area after feeding.