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The reality of my backyard is that I’ve run out of space to grow fruit or citrus trees in the ground, but that hasn’t stopped me from trying to create a backyard orchard. With an abundance of information available in the gardening industry on “Edible Landscaping” and “Backyard Orchards” I’ve found a way to add trees to my landscaping even without the soil space. My desired list of trees were: Mission Fig, Meyer Lemon, Eureka Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Navel Orange and a Juice Orange Tree. By purchasing 5-15 gallon trees and placing them in large container pots around my house I was able to achieve a little mini-orchard. One of the more popular questions concerning an edible landscape with trees is: “Do I need to purchase Dwarf Trees if they are going to be placed in a container?”. The answer is no 
, by pruning a regular sized tree whether in a pot or in the ground they can be maintained at any desired size and shape.
A few gardening tips for trees in containers:
1. Plant them in large enough containers with future growth in mind to prevent the roots from getting root bound.
2. Feed/fertilize once per month with a good organic nitrogen fertilizer. Trees in containers need to be fed more often than those in the ground.
3. Deep water once per week, there is no need to over water fruit and citrus trees.
4. Place in a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sun per day.
5. Adding 25% cactus mix to a pre-mixed potting soil will be a good blend for optimal drainage.
6. Using a 1/2 whiskey/wine barrel with drilled out drainage holes on the bottom work well for tree containers.
What about variety? There are many trees that work well in containers and create a beautiful edible landscape, here is a small list for the California gardener: Satsuma Mandarin, Kumquat, Bearss Lime, Meyer Lemon, Black Mission Fig, Dwarf Ruby Star Grapefruit, Moro Blood Orange, Blueberry Bushes, Anna Apple, Strawberry Guava, Persimmon Tree, ‘Dwarf Lady Finger’ Banana.
A lime tree on the patio or a pair of kumquat trees to enhance the front entrance of a home are wonderful ways to add edibles to the landscape. Why not try a few blueberry bushes on the balcony or an orange tree next to a bench in the backyard? When the citrus blossoms are present the fragrance alone makes it worth having a potted tree!
Bearss Lime Tree in a whiskey barrel (and a plumeria)
Meyer Lemon Tree in a pot
Naval Orange Tree in a pot with glass mulch
Eureka Lemon Tree and A Mission Fig Tree in a wine barrel. Strawberries on the sides.
Thank you for visiting my garden blog: http://www.nadiaknows.com
Create – Grow – Enjoy
A place where I can share my garden and learn along the way!
May 25, 2010 @ 15:17:06
Hi Nadia,
Love your idea of potted fruit trees. We have enough space to plant some in the ground, but I think I’ll try a couple in pots for the patio, too. Thanks!
May 25, 2010 @ 21:23:57
I know nothing of fertilizers, but what is an “organic” fertilizer?
I recently attended a seminar regarding the production of a phosphorus conserving fertilizer called struvite using municipal wastewater. Supposedly the globe is past “peak phosphorus mining.” If it is not recovered from our waste and runs into oceans, or other reservoirs, *supposedly* we will face a Malthusian tragedy within 25 years.
Not to go out on a tangent from expanding your garden by planting in barrels or anything… because that’s interesting too!
May 26, 2010 @ 07:12:23
Check out this link that explains that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_fertilizer. I have a composting bin plus a vermi-composting bin that I started this year and using these soil amendments
on a monthly basis.
May 26, 2010 @ 16:36:40
I completely agree that the scent of my orange tree alone makes it worth it, though I am hoping that I get some oranges out of it too! I have a dwarf orange and a dwarf pomegranate in containers on my balcony. No pomegranate flowers, but maybe because I just got it this year?