ALL gardeners know the maxim that the best time to plant a fruit tree was ten years ago, but if you haven’t, it is prudent — now that we have just missed the planting season — to think about where and what to plant early next year.

Now is a good time to clear and prepare the ground for planting a tree early next year so that the mix of soil and compost put into a two ‘spits’ deep hole settles out.

Now is also the perfect time to see — and smell — what a tree and its blossom looks like because it’s not just fruit that is important if you have the space available.

Crabapples are oft ignored because, to make the fruit edible, you have to faff about a bit, but really they deserve a place in the garden purely because at this time of year they look really good.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The Golden Hornet crabapple in bloom.

They are also a grand universal pollinator. If you have apple trees in different pollination groups you will need others from the same group in easy bee-flight distance to produce fruit.

Crabapples, because they have a long period in bloom — up to a month — do the job of several trees and are the first to bloom in my little orchard.

I have a couple, not because I have a partner who can be bothered making crabapple jelly (she would if I asked), but because they are splendidly ornamental and a practical pollination solution.

The fruit also stays on the branches — in one case right the way through winter — making them a valuable wildlife food source when all else is scarce.

I have two sharply contrasting varieties, both highly recommended. Malus Moerlandsii is also known as Director Moerland and there are several slightly different varieties.

It is disease-resistant crabapple bred to resist canker and mildew, which can be problems for some of the other red or purple-leaved crabapples.

It has proven to be a success on the disease front and is every bit as beautiful as its relatives.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Malus Moerlandsii is truly stunning when in bloom.

It is not just the red wine-coloured blossom which looks fine, but the young leaves are a fantastic crimson-purple, deepening to a rich green as they develop.

Bees love the blossom, the leaves put on a rich orange display in autumn and the shiny purple, cherry-size fruit will continue to decorate the branches for several months. They look like an ornamental but they can also be turned into jelly.

My other choice is Golden Hornet.

It has a profusion of white flowers, followed by larger golden yellow fruit in abundance and it is recognised as one of the best pollinators.

Remember to water establishing trees during dry weather and keep them weed-free for at least a year after planting.

A top tip is to incorporate mycorrhizal “friendly fungi” on the roots, especially of larger trees, when planting. If not that, use blood, fish and bone.

RICHARD'S TOP TIPS:

Start planting-out summer bedding plants toward the end of this month when the chilly nights have passed.

Remember to open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days. Automatic vents are a great idea; British company, Bayliss, produce a reliable cost-effective vent. You can also damp down your greenhouse when it’s hot to increase humidity. Red spider mites like it hot but don’t like it damp.

Water in the evenings to get the most value. Water will soak in overnight and evaporate less.

Continue dividing herbaceous border perennials to improve vigour and create new plants.
Divide established clumps of hostas. When they start to come into growth is a good time to do it.

Take cuttings of tender perennials including fuchsia and pelargoniums. New shoots of hardy perennials can also be taken for cuttings.
Take softwood cuttings of shrubby herbs, such as lemon verbena, rosemary and sage.

Are you an Isle of Wight gardener with a question for Richard? You can email him on: richryde@tiscali.co.uk