My Cordons (see here, here and here for how I planted them) are looking good this year. They've already put on quite a bit of growth and many have apples on so I'm quite please for their second year.
They haven't taken much work to look after, so far, weeding around them takes a bit of time (I've been mulching with straw as well which helps) but you only have to prune them once, in the summer, and thin the fruit if they crop to heavy.
The other job is to tie them back in. I just use string to tie them in so that it rots away and doesn't strangle the trees as they grow. These means that I have to tie them back in to the bamboo canes every year. It doesn't take long, even with 27 trees, and gives me a good opportunity to make sure each tree is doing alright.
Anyone else have cordon fruit trees growing?
Very interesting series of posts. I haven't considered cordon fruit trees, but they may be a good idea for the new front fence we're putting in around the garden. No space should be wasted!
ReplyDeleteI think they make a productive use of space and you can have so many more varieties by planting them this way. They are a little more work though but hey really look like you know what you're doing even if you don't!
DeleteThey look excellent, I may have a go when I'm promoted from runner beans x
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that won't be long. I always think fruit is easier than veg anyway.
DeleteThank goodness
ReplyDeleteAnother man who just uses string!
I prefer it as it just rots away and there's much less risk of it strangling the tree. Also they're nothing to clean up - which I'm bad at!
DeleteHi Kev- are the cordons you are talking about the same as espaliering fruit trees?
ReplyDeleteThey're the same type of thing. A controlled form of tree thats primarily pruned in the summer to control growth. I'd like to try espaliers next and fans with some stone fruit maybe.
DeleteWe only have one cordon at the moment at the top of the hill, but we are going to be doing something similar with our fruit bushes, tying them into the fence that will be separating the drive from the growing area.
ReplyDeleteYours look very well established already :-)