Gardening Direct has lots of lovely fruit trees available to buy right now.
Fruit trees prefer sun although some varieties may be tolerant of some shade.

You should pick areas that are not in frost pockets as these will damage blossom and results in a lack of fruit.
Waterlogged areas are also not suitable as the roots will rot.


Soil preparation can be done in advance so that it is ready for when trees arrive and they can be planted straight away. You dig a decent size hole about 2 ft deep and about 4ft square. Dig in some well rotted compost if possible or well rotted horse manure.

Most trees will be dispatched at the right time to be planted out. Bare root plants can be planted almost at any time, but plants in pots or tubs need to be planted out at certain times. Often between October and December is a good time. Avoid wet or frosty days,

Plant the tree at the same depth it was in it’s pot, or look for the soil level on bare rooted trees. Look for the rootstock join and make sure this is above ground. Fill in the soil packing it down firmly to avoid air pockets.
Staking trees is a good idea – either one either side or one more sturdy post. Use soft bands that will come off easily as the tree grows and make sure that they are still firmly bedded a few days after planting.
Once the trees are a good size stakes can be removed.

Instructions are normally included when you buy trees so take note of any specific instructions.

Apple Orchard Collection 1 £29.99
This is a good collection of dfferent varieties to give you a selection of different flavours. Collection includes: Cox’s Orange Pippin – With little doubt the most famous eating apple, with quite outstanding flavour. Keeps until December. Self-fertile. Golden Delicious – Something of a classic now, reliable and heavy cropping with large green very tasty apples. Thrives in the UK and stores well. Bramley – A heavy cropping compact tree, the apples are crisp, crunchy and full of juice and will keep right through the winter.

Eating Apple Fiesta £16.99
Famous for its tasty flavour with high yields year in year out. Keeps right through the winter. Click here for a full growing guide packed full of useful tips.

Pear Williams £16.99
Pyrus Williams is a delicious early pear, sweet and juicy with smooth white melting flesh. Click here for a full growing guide packed full of useful tips.

Cherry Morello £16.99
Outstanding cooking cherry, delicious with yoghurt or ice cream, or in pies, jams and liquers. Self-fertile and very reliable. Click here for a full growing guide packed full of useful tips.

Eating Apple Braeburn £16.99
A heavy cropping compact tree, the apples are crisp, crunchy and full of juice and will keep right through the winter. Click here for a full growing guide packed full of useful tips.

Cooking Apple Bramley £16.99
A heavy cropping compact tree, the apples are crisp, crunchy and full of juice and will keep right through the winter. Click here for a full growing guide packed full of useful tips.

Pear Conference £16.99
Pyrus Conference is the easiest and most reliable pear for UK conditions, sweet and juicy with delicious melting flesh. Self-fertile. Click here for a full growing guide packed full of useful tips.

Cox’s Orange Pippin £16.99
With little doubt the most famous eating apple, with quite outstanding flavour. Keeps until December. Self-fertile. Click here for a full growing guide packed full of useful tips.

Victoria Plum £16.99
Superb reliable and heavy-cropping variety, delicious eaten fresh off the tree and makes a wonderful jam. Self-fertile Click here for a full growing guide packed full of useful tips.

Cherry Stella £16.99
A Self fertile cherry perfect for the garden with attractive spring blossom and delicious dark red fruits in July. Click here for a full growing guide packed full of useful tips.