Fruit Walls In the Home Garden

[Calista]

After reading about this some time ago, I've wanted to try it to see if I could grow peaches, kiwis, and other warm-weather fruit out of my zone but never got around to seriously thinking what I'd have to do to make it work for me. First, build a wall...

"From the sixteenth to the twentieth century, urban farmers grew Mediterranean fruits and vegetables as far north as England and the Netherlands, using only renewable energy. These crops were grown surrounded by massive "fruit walls", which stored the heat from the sun and released it at night, creating a microclimate that could increase the temperature by more than 10°C (18°F)."

Peaches being grown successfully in France using this method centuries ago:

http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2015/12/fruit-walls-urban-farming.html

English fruit wall using espaliered trees:

I need some real-world advice from you master gardeners here who have tried this! Could you tell me what kind of walls you built and could you just stack up cinder blocks? What kind of fruit trees did you plant within the walls? Were you able to get a good harvest?

I'd just LOVE to eat some peaches fresh off my own trees this summer.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

 

[sumi]

This apple tree is grown up an old stone wall in a hotel's courtyard in Kilkenny city. I took this pic when I was there awhile ago. I think it's absolutely beautiful! As you can see it's bearing lots of fruit and looking very happy. The wall faces the sun, so it gets plenty of that daily and it shares the bed it's in with assorted other plants and flowers.

 

[Hinotori]

It should work. That was the whole reason they did espalier trees to begin with. You get less fruit per tree but can plant more of them as well in the space.

I use the south wall of my house to grow more delicate plants and those that need extra heat. If the sun is shining in winter the thermometer I have against it has said 106 when the weather station one away from structures said 25. My tarragon always makes it through the winter.

Note on that is that the pots need caged to protect them from my chickens. The birds know where the heat is. No pots on the step because chickens shove them off. The back door reflects tons of heat making the steps coveted even on cloudy days.

I want an apple tree fence. I've seen beautiful pictures of them.

 

[Calista]

This apple tree is grown up an old stone wall in a hotel's courtyard in Kilkenny city. I took this pic when I was there awhile ago. I think it's absolutely beautiful! As you can see it's bearing lots of fruit and looking very happy. The wall faces the sun, so it gets plenty of that daily and it shares the bed it's in with assorted other plants and flowers.

View attachment 6000

YES! Do you suppose if I spring for the beer and pizza, I could organize a work party from willing members here to build that in my backyard?

 

[Calista]

It should work. That was the whole reason they did espalier trees to begin with. You get less fruit per tree but can plant more of them as well in the space.

Note on that is that the pots need caged to protect them from my chickens. The birds know where the heat is. No pots on the step because chickens shove them off. The back door reflects tons of heat making the steps coveted even on cloudy days.

Ha, I do remember growing up how Mom always had to use the broom to shoo away the heat-loving hens sprawled on the flagstone path to the porch. Chickens are pretty smart!

 

[Chic Rustler]

I live in Texas. We just plant the trees. Idk about that other stuff.

 

[Calista]

I live in Texas. We just plant the trees. Idk about that other stuff.

And you get plenty of fresh peaches, right?

 

[Chic Rustler]

used to when I was a kid. I plan on planting some real soon. That stuff at the store that they call peaches ain't peaches at all. It's Styrofoam

 

[Calista]

used to when I was a kid. I plan on planting some real soon. That stuff at the store that they call peaches ain't peaches at all. It's Styrofoam

No, actually, I have it on good authority that they are peach-colored baseballs imported from China.