Looking to plant fruit trees that grow in clay soil?
If this is the type of soil you have in your yard, and you are thinking of making good use out of it, then you’re at the right place!
Not all fruit trees can grow in clay soil but there are certainly some – and they are quite profitable and easy to grow, too. It is just a matter of knowing the right ones to plant, so you can get the results you want.
What are these fruit trees, you may ask? Let’s take a look at these excellent fruit trees that simply love clay soil and why they are worth growing. Time to start planting!
Fruit Trees That Grow In Clay Soil
The best thing about planting fruit trees is that you can have your own supply of food right in your backyard. Although they take about 3 or more years to produce fruit, the wait is definitely worth it. With the right soil, you can make your fruit trees start producing good quality fruits each time.
So, if clay soil is what you’ve got, here are the best fruit trees to plant for outstanding results.
1. Fig Tree
Figs love clay soil, aside from other types of soil.
The best thing about figs is that they do not get very tall, so they are easy to grow in your yard. They may only grow up to 10 feet while others can be as high as 30 feet with a diameter of 7 inches.
These trees thrive in a dry climate, as long as there are some rains especially in the spring. Although they love sandy soil, they can definitely grow in clay when mixed with a bit of sand. This crop thrives without any acidity in the soil.
However, do take note that figs need ample drainage. Thus, you may want to plant your tree in a higher location, add some mulch, and it should do well even with a heavy clay soil.
2. Citrus
Whether it is orange, lemon, or similar types of citrus, they can definitely grow in clay soil. With their high acidity component, they can do well in clay that is more alkaline in composition.
But then again, there is the drainage factor that you need to address before planting. So, if you are looking to plant your choice of citrus tree in clay, you need to make yourself the perfect soil mixture for it. It should contain 3 parts clay, 3 parts compost, and 1 part sand for better drainage.
Moreover, you should plant your tree in an elevated area. You can also dig up a small hole and place the soil mixture in, then place the tree’s root ball right into the hole. Fill the remaining space with the rest of the mixture. And lastly, mound the mixture over the root ball.
Mulching the tree’s base also helps in retaining the moisture since clay soil tends to cause water to run off instead of being absorbed by the roots.
3. Plums, Apricots, and Other Stone Fruits
Other fruit trees that grow in clay soil are the ones known as stone fruits. These are your plums and apricots, which can live and thrive in clay because of their shallow root structure.
But do take note that apricot trees can be quite large. So, you should provide a certain distance of about 25 feet away from your other trees in the yard.
You can simply plant it in a similar way you do for your other trees. But we recommend that you add some peat moss to keep the area surrounding the root ball a bit lighter.
Mulching the tree can also help to retain moisture and boost drainage. Never flood or water the base too much, which goes for all plants on clay soil. This will only minimize airspaces in your soil as clay becomes compacted.
Read more: Leaves as Mulch: Good or Bad?
Other Fruits Trees That Grow On Clay Soil
The previous trees we mentioned can grow well in clay soil. However, there are other trees that may do fine in this type of soil once some modifications are made. These include pears, apples, and peaches.
They all prefer free-draining soil, which means you can plant them on a slope and add some sand to promote drainage. Planting a slight mound helps with drainage.
Lastly, be sure to mulch as regularly as possible and add in some fertilizer during spring and summer. These techniques can help your fruit trees thrive and produce amazing fruits that will make them more profitable for you to grow!
