Container fruit

You too can grow fruit – even if you don't have a garden. Almost all fruit trees and bushes can be grown in containers, and more exotic fruits, like peaches and nectarines, do better in a pot as they can be protected more easily. Here are our top tips for growing fruit in pots:

Which container? Choose terracotta or plastic planters about 7cm larger than the plant's rootball from the range available in our garden centre. Re-pot into larger containers each year.

Which compost? Soil-based composts such as John Innes no 3 are available in our garden centre and are ideal for fruit as they hold on to nutrients for longer. Don't use garden soil as it doesn't drain well enough.

Which stake? Most container-grown trees need staking. Sturdy tree stakes and bamboo canes 8cm in diameter are available in our garden centre: sink to the bottom of the pot and tie in loosely.

Which feed? We have specialist feeds for potted fruit, such as citrus feed for lemon trees, in our garden centre, and also slow-release fertilisers such as Osmocote and pelleted chicken manure for other fruit trees.

Please ask the staff in our Betchworth and Godstone garden centre for more information and advice about growing fruit in containers.