How late can I plant fruit trees and bushes (in the North East)?

[d000hg]

We're buying a house in the NE countryside with really quite a large garden, reasonably sheltered.

The only fruit it has (that we know of) are a couple of well-established apple trees (I forget what type) but we would definitely plan to add a cherry tree or two, maybe another apple, and several currant and blueberry bushes. Also set up some raspberry canes.

We are aiming to be in around the Easter holidays e.g. latish April which I believe is a little late to be planting whips, but I'm loath to miss an entire season. If I buy from a garden centre is there any problem - we'd probably buy slightly bigger e.g. 2-year bushes, 2-4 year trees.

[fishpond]

I assume you are aware that if you buy container grown, you can plant whenever.

[d000hg]

I assume you are aware that if you buy container grown, you can plant whenever.

Actually I was guessing it but not aware for certain. Sounds like it's a non-problem then, other than planting in the summer being a pain for watering and so on?

[ESBkevin]

Actually I was guessing it but not aware for certain. Sounds like it's a non-problem then, other than planting in the summer being a pain for watering and so on?

Other than cost too, potted trees are more expensive than bare root. You can get bare root and heel them in the ground now and transplant (quickly) when you move without shaking too much soil off. There is some risk but probably worth the effort.

[BUFFS]

Buy what you want @ bareroot prices, buy some cheapo pots, B & M etc do big tubs for less than a fiver,get the chosen plants potted into some soil and provided you keep them watered you can forget putting them into the garden until you are all ready in the autumn, when we moved from the south midlands to Scotland we had a full transit full of potted plants, the local kids thought that ground force was coming..

[d000hg]

Thanks all.

I don't know how much these things sell for but with trees I'd potentially be inclined to spend a bit more and get older ones to save the first couple of years of nothing happening if they're not extortionate!

Regarding whips and bare-root fruit bushes, am I right thinking that right about now is the time to plant them before spring gets here?

[BUFFS]

You will find that the younger plants soon outstrip the older transplants as they settle into the new site a lot easier ,because of their simpler root system (just developing) I think, it also lets you train the branch system from scratch, rather than trying to adjust what you have got, good luck anyway and just enjoy them...

[Paulieb]

The perfect time to plant a bare root 'anything' is technically in Nov, once they are dormant. This allows the roots to get growing over the winter. However like you say any bare root plant can be planted from Nov to end on March at a push.

Last year I planted a 1yr apple in a 35ltr bucket (20ltr would prob be fine), and it grew nearly as well as those in the ground. Then transplant the following winter. You'll have also had a summer in the new garden to finalise positioning?!?

Would definitely try to get a 1yr (or something from a well known website) as it'll be much better on price, quality and choice of cultivar.

[DiggerSean]

Good advice above. I would add that if we have a late spring and things are still quite dormant then you can plant up to April time, but potting up is a really good option for you.
I would also emphasize as stated above that there is a lot more choice buying bare rooted fruit trees, they are a lot cheaper and young trees soon catch up to more mature pot bought trees.