a stitch in time?

Slowly building up beds, planting holes and planting mounds to take fruit trees. First lot are due as bare-rooted trees shortly. Others to be ordered for spring planting. Lessons from past failures have been learnt.

Approximate success rate of fruit trees planted three years ago: 0%. Despite a few plucky pears from diggers managing to sprout after a year left neglected in planting tubes.

Approximate success rate of fruit trees planted two years ago: 5%. One stunted natal plum, and one passionfruit that’s managed to send up a sucker from the base of an apparently dead stick.

Approximate success rate of fruit trees planted one year ago: 30%. Proof of the benefits of (a) putting in at least a little work to build up beds, (b) installing at least some (recycled water) irrigation, (c) getting bare-rooted plants into the ground without delay – an expensive controlled experiment – and, (d) planting the one thing everyone says will definitely work. Kudos to you, feijoas.

So slow improvement, but hardly impressive! This time, NO EXCUSES! Well, not so many … Beds have been built up; planting mounds for bare-rooted trees created, with mix of soil, compost and aged manure; swales dug; stern promises made to self to stake, protect, mulch and monitor.