Tips and tricks for planting fruit trees this spring

Brittany Britto
Baltimore Sun
April 1, 2016

Beyond the typical flowers and plants, many gardeners are looking to grow something this spring that will allow them to really enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Planting fruit trees might seem daunting, but for many who have tried, it’s well worth the effort.

Mount Washington resident Scott Smith got “hooked” on planting fruit trees 15 years ago, and now has over 100 on his acre of land — from apple and peach to kiwi and jujubes. Smith has also worked with the Baltimore Orchard Project, a division of the nonprofit Civic Works that works to strengthen communities through planting orchards.

“There’s something about a perfectly ripe peach on a tree,” said Smith, a computer science professor at the Johns Hopkins University. “It’s so much better than any I can find at a grocery store, and they’re delicious.”

But planting fruit trees brings trials as well as triumphs. Luckily, there are experienced gardeners, like Smith, and experts who can offer tips and tricks to prepare gardeners for a successful fruit tree planting season this spring.

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/home-garden/bs-re-fruit-trees-20160401-story.html