Episode: Two
Date: 23rd August 2008
Story Title: Mitre 10 Project - Espaliering Fruit Trees
Presenter: Neville Passmore

The desire to produce fruit from home is increasing yet space in our garden to do so is rapidly decreasing. There is a great solution for this and Neville is on hand to show you how. With the help of Mitre10, Neville returns to Brentwood Village to create an Espalier Mini Orchard to go with their new edible garden.

Steps to building an Espalier Mini Orchard

• The best way to grow fruit trees in a confined space is to espalier them against a wall or set up a trellis.
• Visit your local Mitre 10 store to pick up your equipment, including timber for the supports, stainless steel wire and fixings.
• To set up a trellis use ACQ treated pine posts for uprights as these don’t rely on toxic chemicals. This is important for the health of your soil and plant food.
• Attach eyebolts to anchor wires if you are using a wall as your primary support structure.
• The best wire is braided stainless steel as it lasts a lifetime and resists corrosion.
• Position the wires 30cm apart and a few centimeters off the wall to allow for easy attachment of your trees.
• Tighten wires by positioning a turnbuckle or wire strainer near one end of each wire.
• Plant trees as close as possible to the wires so the stems can easily attach.
• If using plastic coated garden wire check this regularly so it doesn’t cut as the branches grow thicker.
• Choose a selection of different fruiting trees including citrus and deciduous trees such as apple and plum.
• Other trees that can also be trained include olive, guava, mango and avocado.
• Apricot, Japanese Plum, nectarine, fig, mulberry and peaches should be on north or west facing walls
• In warm winter areas or coastal regions plant nashi, apple and pear trees on a south or east facing wall.
• When fruits are ripening cover them with mesh or a shade cloth to keep protected.

Handy Hints

• Cut stainless steel wire with bolt cutters.
• Use stainless steel fittings with stainless steel wire.
• If you feel a branch might break when bending to attach it to the wire, tie it off half way instead.

Checklist

• Timber for the supports
• Stainless steel wire and fittings
• Wire strainer or turnbuckle
• Selection of different fruiting trees
• Soil Improver
• Mulch
• Fruit tree fertilizer

Featured Plants

• Olive
• Strawberry Guava
• Mango
• Lemon
• Kaffir Lime
• Apple
• Passion fruit

Contact

Your Nearest Mitre 10 Store
www.mitre10.com.au