For a plant-lover like you, gardening may be one of the most fulfilling activities. Although it can be a bit tiring, seeing your plants growing well can give you happiness and satisfaction. And if you are growing fruit trees, the fruits of your labor can be even more satisfying and delicious. Knowing what is the best soil for your fruit trees is a must. Not only does the soil store the water and nutrients, but it also serves as the anchorage for the roots.
Aside from ensuring the proper amount of sunlight, nutrients and water, cultivating the best soil for all plants will enable you to have a good quality harvest and avoid damage from root rot or droughts. Although loam soil in general is the best soil for most plants since it holds moisture well and also drains well, there are some variations for each fruit tree. If the soil is too wet, then the chance of root and crown rot increases and root growth is also restricted.
In this article, we will cover
Types of Soil
Loam Soil
Loam soil is a balanced mixture of sand (40%), silt (40%), and clay soil (20%). This type of soil is ideal for outdoor plants since it is not only well-draining but also holds moisture well. It has a damp and fine texture, so it doesn’t easily dry during the summer. Additionally its crumbly texture enables it to have good drainage, retain moisture, and hold nutrients well. This kind of soil is best when it is mixed with organic matter.
Clay Soil
Clay soil is rich in nutrients and has plenty of moisture essential for the plants to grow well. The only problem with this kind of soil is that it gets waterlogged quickly because its fine particles are very close together. Even though air and water cannot move quickly through this soil, you can aerate the soil in order to improve its characteristics.
Sandy Soil
Sandy soil dries quickly and is light and warm. If you water your plant, you will notice that the water drains quickly since this soil absorbs moisture well. However, this soil also holds fewer nutrients as its texture does not bind well. Adding organic matter or fertilizer dramatically improves its water holding capacity and the soil’s nutrients.
Silt Soil
Silty soil is easy to cultivate and beneficial for plants if there is good drainage. Its powdery soil is also fertile. Additionally this soil retains moisture and can be easily compacted.
The Best Soil for Different Types of Fruit Trees
Apple Trees
Although apple trees can grow in medium textured clays and gravelly sands, they grow best in well-drained loamy soil. Not only does loam soil hold moisture well, but it also drains well. Apple trees also prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 5.8 – 7.0.
Apricot Trees
Apricot trees prefer a well-drained loamy soil. They also prefer neutral or slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.7 – 7.5.
Cherry Trees
Cherry trees prefer a fertile, light, sandy soil. If the soil is more compact, then the chance of root and crown rot increases. Cherry trees also prefer slightly acidic soil (6.5) but can grow in soils with a pH between 5.5 – 8.0.
Mulberry Trees
Although mulberry trees can grow in coarse, medium, and fine soils, they prefer moist, well-drained loamy soil. Additionally, they can grow in soils with a pH between 5.0 – 7.0.
Nectarine Trees
Nectarine trees grow best in well-drained sandy soil that has a pH between 6.0 – 7.0.
Peach Trees
Peach trees grow best in well-drained loamy soil that has a pH between 6.5 – 7.0. Since peach trees need well-draining soil in order to survive, having two feet of sandy, loamy fertile topsoil will create the ideal condition for growth.
Pear Trees
Pear trees grow best in well-drained sandy loam soil that has a pH between 6.0 – 6.5 (although they can also tolerate soils with a pH of 5.0-7.5). However they can also survive in other soils as long as they are well-draining.
Plum Treas
Plum trees grow best in well-drained sandy soil that has a pH between 5.5 – 6.5.
Quince Trees
Quince trees grow best in well-drained deep loamy soil that has a pH between 6.5 – 7.0. However they can also grow well in many types of soil as long as they are well-draining.
Understanding more about the best soil for plants can help you grow healthier fruit trees with a more abundant harvest. If you would like to discover and grow fruit trees, explore our fruit tree catalog or shop page.
Parev! My name is John Merigian and I am in search of a Quince tree for our new home in Michigan. We had one when I was growing up, and I’ve grown them before, but can’t seem to find one now. I make preserves and serve it with Katah – so it is essential I get one growing soon! 🙂
Anyway, if you can let me know if you will have one or two to purchase I would be delighted.
Shnorhagalyem.
Barev John jan! It’s so wonderful to meet another Armenian and hear that you also want to grow a fruit tree. My family (especially my dad) loves quince/serkefil and whenever I come back from Armenia I bring quince preserves. Perhaps you would like to share your preserve recipe with us? Unfortunately we sold out of our quince trees fast this season. If you would like we can be in touch either about reserving quince trees for you next season/spring or recommend other places to find quince trees for this season/spring.
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Hello. I live in CT and bought a cute fixer upper with the following trees: peach, cherry, apple, and mulberry. They have not produced fruit yet and unfortunately I need to move them from their location because a new leaching area needs to be created for the new septic. How can I safely retransplant these trees? Is it true I can use a 10-15 gallon container for each one? Thank you for your help. I know nothing about gardening but want to learn.
Hi Evelyn,
I am guessing your trees 2-4 years old. When trees get older, it will more difficult to transplant.
You do not need container to transplant them. The best time to do it when trees are dormant (sleepy), when leaves are gone. For your area it will be end of the November till middle of March. Try to cuts the roots 2-3′ diameter. But if you planning to move (transplant) them before the dormancy, the survival chances will be small. Hope this will help.