Fruit trees in a temperate climate: planting tips, rootstocks, mulch, prune, thin fruit

[@boomshankaman]

I’m binge watching all these episodes, there can’t be a nicer bloke on the internet.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@seanwalker6091]

B🎉 ​@@CharlesDowding1nodig

[@astonesthrow]

This man's way of life is where the world is headed. Don't let the media fool you.

[@summermucha5207]

@Dan Driscoll, I agree!

[@preciousmetalhead5155]

I hit the 👍 button on these videos before I even watch them. Best garden series on the web.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is nice thanks

[@jerricroft937]

Precious Metal Head heartily agree

[@josieblanco4587]

Ya this is my video channel

[@josieblanco4587]

Im sorry this is my favorate channel

[@josieblanco4587]

I mean this channel is so amazing

[@unconventionalme8048]

OHMY GOSH! I love this guy! Charles, your heart and nature is a BLESSING dude! You really have a way of lifting other's spirits by just speaking a few words.... Thanking God for you and your work! Big hugs!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This is kind of you to say, I am just me, happy to help!

[@summermucha5207]

@Unconventional Me, I agree with you full heartedly! 💕

[@wildchook745]

Yep, I agree. I love listening to Charles.

[@97grad]

The information you so generously share is priceless

[@nikigores8774]

Thanks for a delightful fruit tour...your green thumb sure extends beyond vegetables! Congrats!

[@Greentreeanduril]

Sat in my potting shed, with my brand new wood burning stove next to me ( a roasting 25 degrees ) watching this, whilst drinking a cup of tea. Looking out onto my garden, wondering where I can fit an apple tree. Always hit the like button before the video starts, as I know it’s going to be good. Merry Christmas to you, and everyone.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How charming! Choose M27 rootstock and consider cordon pruning if space is really tight, even fit in two trees.

[@Greentreeanduril]

Thank you very much for the advice, I’ll be sure to look for the M25 rootstock.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

M27!! (M25 is the largest tree)

[@Greentreeanduril]

M27, haha sorry, that could of been a problem in a few years. I’d of been sat under a giant apple tree, thinking I’m sure Charles Dowding said M25.

[@ldlk2829]

@@Greentreeanduril hahaha

[@MargaretWalkerCellist]

The fruit-growing capital of the world, New Zealand (I've been to South Island 3x) often grows fruit trees very close together, pruning them so they're like a hedge. In fact some NZ websites claim that one can harvest 13,000 lbs of apples off an acre, and when I heard THAT, I planted my fruit trees growing here in the AZ desert, putting another tree in between the ones I had planted 24' apart, so now they're 12' apart. Why? because WATER is the biggest issue, and I don't want to waste a DROP of water in my orchard. I love apples in an orchard because apple juice is easy, and my animals eat the apples, even my Great Pyranees dog ("Tundra") eats them in her breakfast meal, with carrots and eggs. Apple juice is great for cleaning water spots off the sink, especially if it has turned to vinegar. Yours look very marvelous, Charles. When I juice them, the chickens eat the pulp if I can't use it any other way, or my goat, named "Heather".

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing Margaret.

[@katrinalewis4147]

Thank you, Mr. Dowding. You're such a pleasant man and your videos are a real gift.

[@edres7563]

I simply love your channel! Finally a practical realistic gardening channel for people in the UK!! I cant get enough of your content since i discovered your channel!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much 😊 happy to help, share the knowledge

[@readingroomcafeproject]

I LOVE that you've shown yearly in the year and then fruiting, this take so much time and effort and I really appreciate it

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I appreciate that!

[@tonyalways7174]

Quite probably the most informative fruit tree video I’ve ever watched. Eternally grateful for Mr Dowding’s willingness and ability to share his knowledge.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Tony, maybe a book one day!!

[@ugtitto2654]

What a heaven garden tour. I have shared this video even with my non-English speaking friend, who loves gardening.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing Ug :)

[@RizeTB1]

ROFL my mouth watered when he bit into that apple. Thanks for all your knowledge and hard work. I am multi sowing my radishes thanks to you. 4 seeds to a place, 9 places to a square foot. Delicious cherry bell.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice feedback thanks

[@cherylnorise57]

Hello. I just planted 3 apple trees 1 plum 2 blueberry 2 peach and strawberries. I also have a small garden. My suburban yard is not that large. But I'm trying to grow as much as I can. This is my second year. Trial and error. I enjoy watching your no dig videos. You have helped me a great deal. I even have less weeds than last year. Compost and mulch. Have an awesome summer. See you on your next video

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Cheryl

[@nicoletaelias2559]

You are such an awesome educator!!! Love your videos and hope to incorporate all the principles you teach. Love the “ no dig” idea. Please keep sharing!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks v much Nicolette

[@louisedavies6108]

First time I've actually understood fruit tree pruning despite numerous books, articles etc. Thank you for your wonderful videos!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You're very welcome 🌈

[@Enzo_Mzo]

Man, even your voice is perfect and just so calming.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah thanks Farad

[@Enzo_Mzo]

Charles Dowding you are so welcome.

[@russellhowe9631]

A joy to watch on a winter morning. I’m not sure what rootstock I have on my Lidl and Aldi 9.99 specials but the apple ‘champion’ wasn’t a bad little eater for it’s second year, and the cherry ‘starburst’ produced 3 lovely cherries 🍒 in it’s first year. Nothing on the Victoria plum or on the pear ‘Clapp’s Favourite’. I will be doing a bit of grafting for multiple varieties when I can get hold of some suitable scion wood and have the apple and pear espaliered along the fence as room is a bit tight. All trees heavily mulched and I have marked my calendar for summer pruning at the beginning of July:-)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Russell Howe thanks Russelll and you are well organised

[@russellhowe9631]

It might appear that way lol! My garden is in a constant state of chaos:-)

[@petramacdougall]

You have lots of fruit trees Charles, very impressive. I just pruned here so I was very exicited to see your new video. It is so satisfying to grow fruit, watch it come along and then eat it off the tree. Glad to see you do that at the end. My favorite is to go out back when the kids come home, pick the apple and then slice it up for all to enjoy. So rewarding.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes what a lovely food to share!

[@joycewilson476]

Mr. Dowding, If you have not yet figured out why the Good Lord has placed you on this earth, please allow me to tell you... To make videos as this to bless others into becoming the best gardeners! You are an inspiration to me and so many others I see commenting. This is my second video I have seen of yours and I have to admit, I am in love with them. Please don't stop the blessings. I am so excited to plant my trees in the manner in which you do, they are so beautiful. Be blessed my friend.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks Joyce for your eloquent comment and may your trees be fruitful

[@tomrock1988]

Wonderful to see your orchard. What a joy to grow apples, pears and plums. I'm in the tropics and surrounded by fruit but it's paradise everywhere.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So funny!

[@mystforest]

I never knew that apple trees took a year off, sometimes! Wow. Love this series. Absolutely a KZbin gem.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks Patricia

[@Whistlewalk]

I am contemplating a small orchard in my small backyard as part of redesigning a veg and fruit garden. This was very interesting to me. Thanks!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful!

[@summermucha5207]

I just LOVE YOU! Thank you for sharing your beautiful connection with the natural world. Parents, take note: This is real, devices are not. Go outside and play!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you so much Stephanie

[@chhayakenia5656]

You give the best information possible. I have not watched a better informative video on fruit tree growing and care.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lianagilbert61]

I really enjoyed this video. I have just 1/3 acre and have started 2 peaches, 2 apples one mulberry, 3 figs, and two failed cherries. Planning apricots, almond, plums next!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and you could have fig bounty!

[@lianagilbert61]

Thank you! And I hope so! I love giving them away. A tray of 7 will cost about $10 usd and poor quality. I follow your no dig method and have had great results zone 8b central texas clay. I watch your videos every day. Very soothing and inspirational!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@lianagilbert61 lovely to hear thanks

[@parko1965]

A good thing from this lockdown, it's led me here. Blows Gardeners World out of the water. Brilliant videos, 100 of them by the way.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks Davey

[@bgeri5302]

Another great informative video, thanks Charles! I did not know that I needed to cut back on apple production. I have done my summer pruning already so now I will have a look at the apples. I luckily inherited my apple trees through the purchase of my new home so trying to learn as much as I can from you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful

[@MarciesWhimsySoaps]

Thank you, Mr.Dowding! I love your videos and Ive learned so much from you! Hello from Dickson, Tennessee, USA!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Marcie :)

[@waynesell3681]

Surely established HomeAcres! Amazing!!

[@shakengrain1942]

Thank you for removing fear of growing fruit trees! Am in similar zone to yours (8A) in South Carolina USA, where previous commercial apple growers have retired out almost completely. Will take a couple of years, but will soon have the crisp, wonderfully fresh apples I learned to love while growing up near these former orchards. This is an excellent description and example of how to do it on smaller, manageable scale.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks and may your small orchard flourish!

[@timejumpertarot1114]

Simply sublime! Sir, you are a wealth of useful information.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Clint

[@MrSaigy]

Always a joy to watch these beautiful videos Mr Dowding. 30 minutes of serenity. Thank you very much and a merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well thankyou

[@RachelTribbiani]

I just said to my boyfriend that it's like watching Bob Ross but with gardening

[@Adrian96.3]

que alegría! no tengo mucho espacio, casi nada.. pero cuanto que estoy aprendiendo y que valioso!! gracias Charles!!!! te envió mucha energía, la mejor.. y los mejores deseos para ti amigo!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Muchas gracias 🥬

[@brunojl2]

Charles: "I could then go ahead and show you each tree in turn..." Me: *grabs cup of tea* Oh, please do!

[@JasonSmith-tv2zw]

I bought a quince seedling from Puglia 8 years ago an this year we had about 10-12 large Quince, probably helped by the drought. Made lovely jelly and jam. Also a great year for Olives

[@jeffreydustin5303]

I learned so much about fruit trees. I have only a few right now but big plans to expand to fruit and nut trees in South Carolina. Problem is that humid & hot summer, destroyer of plants. The rest of the year is perfect for growing...but summer is the best weeder of the weak.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds a challenge for trees Jeffrey, good climate however for okra 😄

[@schaefercofarm2584]

After asking about winter veg types i found out you literally wrote the book on it. Witch after the Christmas financial low has subsided i will be getting for next year. Mr. Dowding, thank you for all that i have been abule to learn from you this year. I hope you and yours have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. I look forward to learning more from you in this next year. This video taught me what we did wrong this year and lost all but one fruit tree. So we can fix that and we can better protect my beloved Anjou pear tree. Thank you so much. Sincerely, John

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

John thanks for your message, happy to help and I wish you well in 2019

[@rubygray7749]

Charles is the king!

[@teresamexico309]

Beautiful voice and interesting tips, thank you Charles.

[@steveo_o6707]

Charles, this vid helped mean lot! We are moving into a 1.2 acre property and I have been snapping pics of your garden and putting the pics in on the property Google map. You are always an encouragement to garden better. It's amazing to me that on our search there are so many 1acre homes and no garden, sad state of affairs humans have got into

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful! Yes strange times

[@beverleymellor]

What a wonderful video. I searched hi and low for this information a few years ago and didn’t find anything so helpful and informative. Thanks once again Charles for all your efforts we do appreciate all the knowledge you impart 🙏🏻😊☘️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@mngardener6016]

Just a wonderful video Mr.Dowding. I could have watched all day. My little orchard is in its 4th year and i am looking forward to the future.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and I wish you well for this year's harvests

[@freddimble7024]

Thank you Charles for explaining about the fruit and other bits it will be very helpful as my tree's develop.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Fred

[@johnschlesinger2009]

Thanks so much for this video. So much valuable information. I have some apple trees, which were here when I moved four years ago, and I knew next to nothing about caring for them, but now I can get started. I had looked up pruning information on the RHS website, but found it daunting! I didn't know about summer pruning. Your vegetable garden is wonderful!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks John, glad you will have a go

[@TheMwales]

What a wonderful holiday surprise! Thank you so much for this break from the craziness of the season!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah that is a new one, a Christmas antidote! Happy you like it.

[@jayneeburks8482]

Thank you for the tour. I too share my fruit with some insects (and squirrels). I am thankful for the bounty.

[@salwa4ever818]

I just love watching your videos, full of useful information very simply explained with lots of common sense. God bless you for sharing such valuable information not to mention letting us enjoy the beautiful garden of yours which is so uplifting. Also you talk calmly and slowly which helps us armatures to digest the exuberant amount of precious knowledge. A very warm greetings from Canada 🇨🇦

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you like the videos, and may spring arrive soon for you :)

[@lisafeck1537]

Thank you for the tour of your fruit trees. From Central, southern Virginia U.S.A.

[@victorgauci4335]

i am very lucky because i can manage three languages, and this enables me to watch and follow Italian, French and English garden videos. I am noticing that you love your vegetables and you restrict the growth of fruit trees. Your trees seem not to use the benefits of bending long stems to generate more fruit on horizontal branches. I think this should be mentioned particularly when it comes to apples and certain other trees. Some of the tall branches in your garden could be bent to fruit and allow better air circulation at center of tree. Thank you for teaching us how to culture vegetables and fruit trees. Your English attitude and methodology has charm and is enjoyable to watch. I have been watching your videos more than once to make sure I get whatever I can from them. I take an interest in garden structures, field design, tools, and other things that belong to a garden. Really thank you Sir.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Victor this is helpful. I could have said more, it's also a Q of not saying too much!

[@dianneleon35]

Beautiful orchard. Wonderful variety. Very inspirational. I'm very excited for spring to come and shop for a few varieties for my farm. Thank you so much.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Dianne, many thanks and enjoy the planting

[@kerlaw1]

Another great informative vid , I have had a Victoria plum in garden for around 6 years and never had a plum , so the pruning shall start and hopefully next year I’ll be plum happy 😃

[@ChrisS-nw3ox]

Very informative and enjoyable to see such beautiful fruit trees. I am on my second year this year of only four trees but hope to plant another two or three. Will look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck with that Chris

[@JeriLandersofHopalongHollow]

Thanks Charles for all your great information and for being so kind, humble and charming in your videos. This info is much appreciated as I'm planning a row of 8 little fruit trees , as you have done. Wish I had this information before I let our Pear trees grow about 30 foot tall! I don't know what to do about those monsters now; they produce fruit like crazy, but the pears are as hard as a rock and never get soft... my donkeys get to eat all of them...every single year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Jeri except for the pear trees! I would cut them back hard, unless they are growing where you don't need the space. Sounds like a variety for cooking.

[@coreenmcnally2505]

Thank you again for such an informative video. I am planting some fruit trees in the spring here in Ontario Canada and will follow your advice on pruning and thinning the fruit. This journey of growing food at home is made so much easier by hearing your advice and inspiration. Kind regards, Coreen.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to hear this Coreen, thankyou

[@enquery]

Great information. I always learn something worthwhile. Root stock sizes are fascinating. We lost an old Apple tree in our yard two years ago and have been looking to replace it, if not just for the flowers the bees love so much.

[@shonitagarcia3222]

Your garden all around is so beautiful. I love your collection of fruit trees. Thank you for sharing.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Shonita

[@Scruffy1000]

I don’t grow fruit, (no space), but boy was it good to see the sunshine! Love your work Mr D, please keep it going, Richard

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Richard and I know what you mean!

[@aaron6841]

Single cordons take up no room really.😁😁😁

[@genevievefortruth]

Thanks so much for your videos, this one especially since I am planning to plant a bunch of one year old fruit trees next spring.

[@wwsuwannee7993]

Apples, even though considered common and blase'...….are actually very very tasty. In example, no one ever thinks about eating an orange until your sitting next to someone in the lunchroom peeling one. The smell of it gets in your nose and the primal human kicks in, and you want one. Mr. Dowding, we are not all blessed with your almost perfect 4 season British climate, but I love your videos.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks WW and I know what you mean, apples are often underrated, maybe because more common than other fruits. Also the apples of commerce have less flavour than homegrown.

[@threethousandpercent7919]

Thank you very much for taking us around your Apple trees.

[@igorgrigorchuk6752]

Good afternoon Charles, try doing some stretches on the bag. Make the branches more horizontal closer to 45 degrees

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Igor

[@vnickcolvin4971]

How fortunate you are!

[@Pfessor_Moriarty]

Fantastic Charles. I have a Jonagold out the back, consistent cropper and a big tree but I know I haven't been pruning it really correctly, now I will!

[@Haze1434]

What a fantastic video, thank you Charles. Wonderful :) I bet you'd be an amazing fella to sit and have a good chat with, could listen to your expertise all day!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Haze, I feel privileged to be able to share my experience

[@davenadainton4209]

What a fantastic informative video thanks so much. I have a small space but I have room for a few fruit trees instead of more flowers and this video has helped me choose the right tree and try and get it right.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful Davena!

[@davenadainton4209]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig would I be safe to plant an m26 apple approx 2.5 meters away from the house maybe?

[@projectmalus]

Good video, thanks. I find it interesting how a person (me included) will forgive scab and insect spots on fruit when home grown, but will seek out perfect fruit in a store. If more people grew their own the levels of pesticide use would probably go down dramatically.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes that is a good point

[@kevinbazan1623]

I truly enjoy your videos! We started planting fruit trees the past 2 years. Currently have 10 apple, 3 peach, 2 plum, 2 pear, 3 cherry and a crabapple. We're hoping for a fruitful season in a few years. As always, truly spectacular video, my friend. Cheers! 🍻 ~Kevin, Michigan, US

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is awesome Kevin!

[@lindixie5624]

Thank you. Very interesting. I have a few fruit trees on my allotment which I'm afraid I've neglected a bit so this has given me the encouragement to get them back under control.

[@athyvandenberg289]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year. I learned a lot from you this year and I hope a good growing year for all home growers. Eveline in southern Scotland

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Eveline and may it be a good year for you

[@francishetherton1837]

Excellent, as usual! So much great information communicated so pleasantly.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Francis

[@francishetherton1837]

Charles Dowding - Happy new year! Met you in Germany recently (the Irishman in France) Reworked my beds added new no dig beds, sowed Fava beans and bought a Red Windsor apple tree :-)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@francishetherton1837 Ah yes I remember you for sure, had just forgotten your name. So we made a video in French. Snag is I was less fluent than I had thought! It releases in a month or so.

[@francishetherton1837]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig bravo pour la vidéo en français ! Ce n'est pas grave. Les français apprécieront l'effort et adorent les petites fautes qu'ils trouvent charmantes. L'important c'est de communiquer vos idées au jardiniers francophones. Merci

[@jenniferlanclos9631]

To hear Wren (your 3-year-old fan) yell, "Wait, that's not Jupiter!" was funny! My neighbor grows apples in Hawaii and it is a definite labor of love. When Wren was maybe 2.5, he went and picked all 5 of the apples about two weeks before they were ready! We had to bring them to our neighbor with an apology. She didn't mind too much; they were still yummy. He also went through a phase of picking all the cherry tomatoes when they were green. Gardening with someone so small takes a lot of patience.He has planted his own bare root apple trees recently, so hopefully he will have some apples to share in a few years! I think we've learned the apple lesson though and now he leaves our neighbor's alone until she tells him he can harvest them. The trees are so small and just the right size for little boys to pick apples! I can understand the temptation. Just the other day he picked *all* our lemons. I am glad he aspires to have a garden like yours. He's ready to clear out all our grass. He tells me, "Don't worry, you don't need to dig anything!"

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to imagine all this, you have a great character there 😀

[@ellaolesen]

Charles you are the best! Thanks from Vancouver Island Canada 👍🏼👍🏼

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are very welcome Ella and thanks

[@petercole8096]

I love your videos Mr. Dowding. I only wish you had made this video last winter. I lost two main branches on my Victoria plum tree this summer because I didn't thin the fruit. I guess 100 plums per branch is too much for a three year old tree. Lesson learned (the hard way). Thanks for all the expert advise. I hope to visit your farm some day.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear that Peter and best of luck this year!

[@jimkrahn7079]

My folks bought a 10 acre orchard when I was 13 ( yippee, not) The trees were 50ish yr old. We had some Jonathons that took all day to pick! Spartans are still my favourite. Happy New Year, cheers from the okanogan valley

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes 10 acres is a lot... great you found the Spartans, and thanks

[@jogrowsveg]

Thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Welcome and thanks Jo

[@jogrowsveg]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you so much. You gave me the confidence to prune the poorly 2 year old step-over apple tree I inherited when I finally bought a house in September 2021. I also ordered another M9 rootstock bare root tree, and shared your vid with a friend who had inherited an old unproductive apple tree. Going no dig in the new garden. I already started my compost and have a small patch with garlic and spring cabbage doing okay. Loads of compost and manure coming next week to prep more no dig beds for 2022. Moving boxes getting recycled in the no dig beds rather the recycling bin 🥳 I have heavy clay so 🤞 for me 😄. You are such an inspiration and sharing such valuable knowledge. Channels like yours are the heart and soul of KZbin. 🌱😁💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@jogrowsveg I'm happy to read this and thank you for sharing and good luck with all your new plantings!

[@jonathangreen6163]

Thank you! Your videos are so informative and inspiring. Please keep it up, you are my favourite! From Vancouver, Canada.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice of you to say Jonathan

[@daskasspatzle2396]

I am so grateful for my Jakob-Fischer apples, a flavour you cannot buy. Growing fruit is a good thing to do.

[@camicri4263]

Johnathan is my favorite apple ever! Essentially the ones that were in Romania. I love fruits and the ones from the store have no taste. Nice trees, thanks for the tour Charles! Merry Christmas to you and your family! Happy and blessed New Year!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Camelia

[@camicri4263]

You are welcome Charles!

[@ethelfitzjohn5151]

great. Thank you Charles, I understand more about rootstocks now.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@R1D9M8B4]

You are absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much. I was about to go fruit crazy. I realize now I need to plan this out and think about what things will look like in 5 to 8 years.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome, and a good plan!

[@moo1388]

You are really some special kind of person. So interesting. Always look forward to your videos.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Becky Jo you have made me happy to hear that! Glad you like the videos.

[@RyanDunnemusic]

I could watch every one of your videos, so informative, relaxing, just plain nice. Wish I could be your friend, cheers from USA!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you Ryan

[@chrispedersen6999]

Great video Charles 😆. Good you mentioned pears ripen/sweeten off the tree. Thanks for the summer pruning tip on plum trees. In NZ, so off to cut metre long spindly spring growth back by half. Seriously turned it into a trifod and didn't know what or where to cut. Cheers for great advice.👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good luck Chris, thanks, enjoy the rest of summer!

[@stevestanleyadifferentchic8936]

I love your fruit trees. We are putting in an Orchard with a focus on Antique apples.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I wish you well with that Steven

[@christinahorvath355]

I have your book on Organic Gardening. You comment that if your soil type was more acid you would grow a bunch of in-ground blueberries. I live just out of Vancouver, Canada - blueberry country. I am inspired now to plant a whole bunch of blueberry bushes rather than always wanting to grow what seems exotic! Lol, sometimes it takes somebody else to point out the obvious.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wow delicious!

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

Yeah, this is my bread and butter. I totally agree, I also like to add charged biochar. It's so amazing. And swale systems are so great to incorporate into these also. I ave videos on both if you are interested Charles. Love your vids, you are in my top 3 of everyone in this space.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks, no time to watch but appreciate that

[@jukeseyable]

Out of interest, whom are your other 2

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

@@jukeseyable Geoff Lawton, and Edible Acres (Sean, unknown last name).

[@CanadianPermacultureLegacy]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I completely understand that. You may still want to look into biochar, whether that is through my videos or others. The technology is perfect for your climate, for reducing water in your soil for slugs, but maintaining it available to plants. The water retention and nutrient retention, buffering and balancing is second only to fungal mycelium, which is present no matter what. Biochar is perfect for you soils. You already tried no dig and its changed everything. Biochar will be just as impactful, and the two methods together have multiplicative compounding effects, providing shelter for life and storing the nutrient they produce via the carbon nucleation and bonding sites. It could be well worth a few hours of your time, likely more than anything else you could watch at night when we can't get into our gardens. Whether my videos on it or someone else, your specific soil would love biochar.

[@lullabymelodia2764]

Thank you for all your wonderful videos. I would love to see a video showing how you deal with pests and diseases on your fruit trees...

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I wish, because I suffer pest and disease damage

[@Bestie-on-tour]

Hello from gardening lover from Thailand, love watching your video. Cheers

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, a lovely country

[@livelife8900]

Nice shirt at the first part of your video, I went to Mae Hong Son but never go to Pai... Your fruit trees are amazing, I tried to grow apple from seeds no luck... will try it again.. after saw your videos really inspiring.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Varatchaya and try apples from putting a stick in the ground of last year's wood, if you like a large tree

[@HeavenlyLights]

You are my jam. I LOVE EASY GARDENING. 😁😃🍏🍋🍎🍐🍊🍇🍒🍑

[@benjaminreid2335]

Thank you Mr. Dowding and I hope you have happy holidays.

[@roweyurboat573]

We grow Spartans in southern Ontario 6a and we get a heavy crop most years. Dry seasons can stunt fruit production for a season. Love them.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear!

[@edwinmonster90]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Makes picking a new species for our garden easier!

[@affordableliving2756]

Thanks Charles. :) Love the video, I am slowly increasing my fruit tree numbers like you said with small root stock I'm able to get more than what would have been possible previously. Up to 15 fruit trees. :) Planted 10 this Feb. Very excited to see them bloom this year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Exciting!

[@ronyrony4669]

Hi Mr Charles, I love how you explain about the fruit trees.( I got four fruit trees at my backyard last year and I wonder if I can add more 😂😁) Would you make an update on your fruit trees? Thank you 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, if we can find time!

[@chachadodds5860]

Excellent! No matter your growing zone, there's much to learn from Charles, in this jam packed episode.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Jam, love it!

[@CEOAMARU]

6 month's in the making this video. Respect Charles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks

[@luciepaul1]

Your knowledge is mind bungling. How did u accumulate so much knowledge

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lifetime I guess 😀

[@HolmesHobbies]

So much great information, thank you for sharing! My trees are slowly taking root but it's been a hard road against the hardpan yard. But more compost and time, it will be better!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck!

[@HolmesHobbies]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I've been having a lot more luck thanks to your channel! No till and compost, can't go wrong.