Fruit(ery) ?

[Rob the Radish]

Hi,
I have just been given an allotment last week, not i have a greenhouse that i have put up, and want to have an area for fruit bushes.

The area is 12 foot x 19 foot (228 square feet) i will be making a frame and net to go over it all to keep the birds off but......

how many bushes would an area this size hold ? i also want to put some strawberries in there as well.

How should i prepare the ground for planting ? i was thinking of digging quite a big hole for each bush and mixed the soil with 50% well rotted manure to give them a good start.

What pruning will they need (if any) i will prob have raspberries, black and red currants but thats not set in stone just yet.

When is the best time to plant them ?

Will they need support frames to grow up/along ?

And lastly does anyone have a good place to get them from.

Sorry for the heap of questions, but never ventured into fruit before.

Rob.

[dave_norm_smith]

Raised Bed Allotment July 2009 - YouTube

Hi Rob, take a look at this fella. All his fruit trees seem to sit around the perimeter of his plot, so not taking from his veg patches. It will also give you an idea of number per area. Most people can usually blag a few raspberries due to how easy they sucker, so maybe put a not up in your allotment shop? Raspberries should be going in now though I believe so its up to you if you wish to part with cash. My red ones came from Blackmoor Fruit Nursery - Large selection Of Quality Fruit Trees and my golden ones came via ebay. Both were bare rooted.

Hope some of that lot helps

Dave