16. Nine times out of 10, if people are looking to add a fruit tree to their backyard or courtyard, they go for a traditional lemon tree. We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content. Picture: Fabian Capomolla. They’re perfect on toast all year round. It’s an easy-going fruit tree that’s self-pollinating, that is – you only need to have one tree in order for it to produce fruit (a plus for small gardens). 5 of easiest fruit trees to grow in your garden. If you have the room and want that tropical lush look with the added bonus of fruit then give it a go. One of my favourite fruit trees to grow at home is the quince. They need plenty of sunshine and will grow in a variety of soil types, although most don’t tolerate very heavy soil. Tips for setting up your garden for growing. Lemons stay fresh on the tree until you want to use them or, like quinces, you can preserve them to use in all types of cooking. Your step by step guide to growing a bonsai tree, How to compost in the backyard in 8 steps. The fruit trees to grow now. However, this tends to promote foliage growth. Just be sure to cut back one third after fruiting to keep it nice and tidy. Many of these trees require a bit of maintenance to encourage fruit production and good tree shape – this is work that is traditionally done during the cooler months. Opt Out of personalisation. Deciduous fruit trees are often sold as bare-rooted plants during winter, and this is generally the best time to buy and plant. What better way to relax in front of a winter fire than with a glass of red and a few bites of cheese and some homemade quince jam? Historical records tell us that from European settlement until the middle of the last century, Australian gardens, like the French, often included several fruit trees. If you have the room and want that tropical lush look with the added bonus of fruit then give it a go. One of my favourite fruit trees to grow at home is the quince. Let the tallest one fruit then die first, then the next one and so on, always keeping a cycle of three at any given time. But the biggest selling point for me is they tend to produce fruit during the cooler winter months when not much else is producing. Fleming’s Nurseries are the best known local grower of deciduous trees and have an informative website at www.flemings.com.au. But the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced we should plant fruit trees in our cities, too. This street in Rome teems with orange trees. That said, pollination is improved with multiple trees, so keep this in mind if you have room for one or two more. And for good reason. Prefer us not to? Fabian prunes a quince tree. Now, that’s not your typical street tree in Australia. Slow Down and Grow Something: The Urban Grower’s Recipe for the Good Life, by Byron Smith with Tess Robinson, Murdoch Books. Olives are extremely long lived trees. Other cool climate fruit and nut trees worth considering include the persimmon, pistachio, quince and walnut. It is possible to plant at any time, but careful watering is essential. Being evergreen and dense they can make a great hedge and are also a possible fruit tree for out the front where you don’t want all the fruits of your labour pinched. This approach also makes it easier to net your trees when they’re fruiting to keep the birds out. I recommend using an organic mulch and being careful to avoid contact with the trunk of the tree as this can damage the bark. Follow my lead and keep your fruit trees compact – a little bit of pruning each year will make them easier to maintain, particularly when they’re bearing fruit. It’s an easy-going fruit tree that’s self-pollinating, that is – you only need to have one tree in order for it to produce fruit (a plus for small gardens). Bananas are easy to grow, just a little trickier to manage. We should plant more trees in our neighbourhoods, along streets, in parks and in our own gardens: Trees beautify and add value to whole suburbs, they provide shade and clean the air. Feed your fruit trees with organic fertiliser every season. Pollination happens when an A-type plant and B-type plant’s male and female flowers are open at the same time of day for a pollinator to do the deed. This method keeps foliage growth to a minimum and maximises fruit numbers down the track. Always mulch around your fruit trees to stop competition with weeds. One of my favourite fruit trees to grow at home is the quince.