Fruit Gardening Planning Considerations

These flashcards cover key concepts related to fruit gardening, including planning, maintenance, and tree care.

Key planning considerations for a fruit garden include __________.

Climate, property size, maintenance, soil, sun, slope, exposure.

Climate is critical in fruit gardening because it __________.

Determines plant survival and suitability.

Exposure refers to __________.

Direction and environmental conditions of the site.

Trees should be avoided in low spots because __________.

Cold air accumulates causing frost damage.

Upper slopes are preferred because __________.

Better air drainage reduces frost risk.

South-facing slopes can be risky because __________.

They cause early growth vulnerable to frost.

North-facing slopes are preferred __________.

In areas with late spring frost risk.

The three fruit tree sizes are __________.

Dwarf, semi-dwarf, standard.

The typical height of dwarf trees is __________.

5–12 feet.

The typical height of semi-dwarf trees is __________.

10–15 feet.

Standard trees can reach a typical size of __________.

Up to ~30 feet.

The main advantage of dwarf trees is __________.

Space efficiency and easier maintenance.

The main disadvantage of dwarf trees is __________.

Shallow roots and need for support.

Espalier is __________.

Flat-training method for trees.

Espalier is used to __________.

Maximize space in small areas.

The best trees for espalier are __________.

Dwarf fruit trees.

Key selection criteria for fruit trees include __________.

Hardiness, maturity, disease resistance, usage, pollination.

Hardiness refers to __________.

Ability to withstand climate.

Pollination is important because __________.

It is required for fruit production in many species.

Grafting is the process of __________.

Joining scion to rootstock.

The scion is __________.

The fruit-producing part.

The rootstock is __________.

The root system.

Grafting is used to __________.

Control size and improve resistance.

If the graft union is buried, __________.

Scion roots develop, losing rootstock benefits.

Key maintenance activities for fruit trees include __________.

Watering, fertilizing, pruning, training, thinning, renovating.

Watering frequency for new trees should be __________.

Every 1–2 weeks initially.

The best irrigation method is __________.

Drip irrigation.

Fertilizing annually is important to __________.

Prevent nutrient deficiencies.

Fertilizer should be applied in __________.

Spring and midsummer.

Pruning begins __________.

At planting.

A central leader is characterized by __________.

A single main trunk system.

Vase form consists of __________.

Open center with 2–5 branches.

A modified leader is defined as __________.

Leader cut back to promote side branches.

A crotch angle is __________.

The angle between trunk and branch.

Narrow crotches are weak because __________.

They split under load.

Tying is the process of __________.

Bending branches downward.

Spreading involves __________.

Using supports to widen angles.

Fruit thinning is defined as __________.

Removing excess fruit early.

Fruit should be thinned when it reaches __________.

1/2–3/4 inch size.

Thinning fruit is important to __________.

Improve size and quality.

Without thinning, the result is __________.

Small fruit and stressed trees.