Have you noticed that there is a growing trend towards growing food in one’s own back yard? It is no longer the practice of only a few tree-hugging ‘greenies’ or permaculture practitioners, but has become a pretty mainstream, trendy and, lets face it, sensible thing to do. Apart from the sheer delight of plucking a ripe and juicy fruit specimen off the tree in your own backyard for instant gratification of the senses, the benefits of eating produce that has been grown with a modicum of control regarding the use of pesticides and herbicides is immeasurable.

 And the well-worn wail of “Id simply love to grow fruit trees but I have no space in my garden” does not cut it. With the help of the technique of Espalier and with so many new varieties being bred that can live happily in tubs, there is no excuse. One gardener we know has a variety of fourteen different fruits growing in her 500sq meter section and she still has space for ornamentals, a pond, veggies and a small native forest – plus the house of course.