Why I Began This Blog

When we decided to grow fruit in containers I decided to read as much as possible about this.  But there was a problem.  There seems to be very little written about the subject.  While there is quite a lot written about growing fruit in the ground container growing is only sometimes referred to and generally only referred to slightly.  In my naivite I assumed that there was a book for everything.  I did find one book but this was practically useless and a few references on some web sites which have been helpful but again, limited.

I am constantly trying to search for any scraps of information on container grown fruit and to bring it all together in one place on this blog.  And more importantly I have decided to research the topic myself.  I am conducting experiments on the fruit in our garden and over time I will hopefully pick up useful ideas simply by observing plants carefully and noting the results of various tactics.  This blog will be a record of the things that I learn about fruit in general and about fruit in containers.  As I educate myself I hope that a few more people will learn something new along with me as I write.  But it's not all about writing and I will be including as many photos as possible as I find that it is invaluable way to explain concepts.  It is also just a great way to learn about how particular types of fruit develop over time.

In the long run I have two aims.  The first one is to be able to grow all of our own fruit without having to buy any from the shops. The second one is that other people will also be able to do the same as a result of having the right information at hand.  With more and more people living in houses or apartments with restricted gardens the idea of growing fruit in containers is becoming more important.  If we are to gaurantee ourselves good quality food without a huge cost to the environment then very small scale food production is the best answer. On a large farm where profit is the driving force then it is expected that anything to help those profits will be utilised.  Chemicals and large scale mechanisation are obvious tools but when individuals grow their own food for enjoyment then profit is not important.  Quality is.  Time is not so much of an issue and the whole process can be seen as almost therapeutic in itself.

Imagine the benefit to society if it was common place to grow your own food.  There are many obvious ones and many more subtle ones which probably can't be quantified.  The more we each engage with nature the happier people tend to be.  Growing fruit ourselves is not about saving money it is about quality of life.  Simple things help us to improve it, all we need are a few ideas to get us going...and that is what this blog is about. 

Please let me know if you already grow fruit or are thinking of starting, and the very best of luck to you :)