Site Requirements for Fruiting Plants

Before planting any fruit tree, bush or vine, you must carefully consider the plant's site requirements. Most species need a warm, sheltered position to allow the fruits to ripen fully and to protect them from cold, damaging winds. Plants that flower in early spring will also need to be planted in a spot that is unlikely to be subjected to frost.

The table below details the planting needs for a range of tree, soft and vine fruits:

Fruit	Site Requirement
Apple	Open, sunny and sheltered. Well-drained soil preferred.
Apricot	Sunny, sheltered and frost-free in spring. Slightly alkaline soils preferred.
Blackberry	Sheltered, sunny or partially shaded.
Blackcurrant	Sheltered, frost-free, sunny or partially shaded. Avoid poorly-drained or acidic soil.
Blueberry	Sunny or partially shaded. Soil should be well-drained with a pH of 4-5.5
Gooseberry	Sunny or partially shaded. Must be kept relatively cool.
Grape	Warm, sheltered and sunny. Soil should be well-drained with a pH of 6-7.5
Medlar	Sunny or partially-shaded. Avoid badly-drained or chalky soil.
Peach	Sheltered and very sunny. Slightly acidic soils preferred.
Pear	Warm, sheltered and sunny. Well-drained, yet moisture-retentive soil preferred.
Plum	Warm, sheltered and frost-free in spring. Avoid badly-drained or chalky soil.
Quince	Sunny and sheltered. Moisture retentive and slightly acidic soils preferred.
Raspberry	Sheltered, sunny or partially shaded. Will not tolerate poor drainage.
Strawberry	Warm and sunny. Avoid poorly-drained or chalky soil.
Sweet Cherry	Open, sunny and sheltered. Well-drained soil preferred.

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