I can attest to David's recommendation of Ann Ralph's "Grow a Little Fruit Tree". It's not only a very enjoyable book, but it really gets into why smaller fruit trees are almost always better than larger ones. If that sounds counter-intuitive, read the book. If you want to save some time, here's a general guide and tips. 1) Buy the smallest bareroot fruit tree you can. I like Willis Orchard's 1-3 foot tall trees for overall price and value. When you get it in the ground, cut it down to knee high. 2) The tree will branch out at where you cut it. Once it starts growing, keep pruning the tops and watch it branch out more. 3) Keep it to the height where you can reach up and get the fruit without getting a ladder. Any higher and the tree will produce too much for your family to consume at one time. The fruit that doesn't get picked will fall to the ground and attract nasty parasites that will end up hurting your tree. 4) The pruning makes the branches grow stronger, faster which will better support heavier loads of fruit, especially when the tree is young. 5) The constant pruning will tell the tree that it needs to send it's energy into making fruit, not stems. 6) I would also suggest making a fruit hedge along your borders. I'm doing this with everbearing mulberries. The benefit is whenever I trim the tops to keep them below the fence line, I get a new flush of mulberries. Leave a thumbs up if you found this comment helpful.
@TheVigilantStewards
3 жыл бұрын
EXCELLENT comment, you should get a pin at the top of this section. Thank you or enlightening me on some of the topics in the book and giving me a mental snapshot!
@TheVigilantStewards
3 жыл бұрын
I was indeed thinking in my head, I don't mind reaching up to 10-12 feet with a tool for picking or climbing a tree a bit. My peach tree in my backyard is about at 15 feet and we have SO MANY PEACHES. It's cool, but we aren't utilizing the space for anyting else so it works. And I have fun whacking it with bamboo poles to knock ripe peaches down haha. It's hard to climb a peach tree actually, they're so steep and skinny
@SouthernLatitudesFL
3 жыл бұрын
Yes! I have a Willis Orchard Nectarine and I am going to prune as soon as my copy of this book comes in. Also, just bought a Scarlet Beauty Plum. It needs serious pruning too.
@theodoradule
3 жыл бұрын
I was wondering how beneficial this pruning method will be for mulberries, thanks for the example!
@matthewfarrell317
3 жыл бұрын
Apart from number 5, fully agree. But the more you prune, the more the branch will split, I have to control the nectarine on a plum/nectarine mult graft. Every time I pinch the growth, it splits.
@paulblankenship7865
3 жыл бұрын
Your sweet little helper stole the show David. God bless y’all
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
She's the berry inspector.
@Kim_Hill
3 жыл бұрын
Your garden helper has her mothers beautiful face!
@qualqui
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I noticed that also as well. With her Mom's beauty and intelligence and her Dad's gardening skill, she'll be an instant success!
@karen-hillshomestead
3 жыл бұрын
Agreed!
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
Wait... her mom's intelligence? I'm no slouch here, Joe!
@karen-hillshomestead
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood LOL
@qualqui
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood lol....well beautiful you aren't David, and its only natural you also are intelligent, its just that Rachel isn't just beautiful, she's brainy as well! ;)
@tradermunky1998
3 жыл бұрын
"Something has been chewing on this tree. Nature is mean." Then proceeds to chop off half the tree. 😂
@patsanzone8019
3 жыл бұрын
My favorite book. My 9 tree orchard is pumping out fruit this year for the first time, I have peaches , apples , plumbs and pears with as much fruit on them that we can eat in a year, Fighting that apical dominance like a boss. Thanks David for giving me the confidence to be aggressive with my trees. You are the best.
@ZE308AC
3 жыл бұрын
Moral of the story Don't be afraid to prune your trees. It is for the best of the tree.
@theorangetreehomestead6660
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for explaining this. Very important to keep trees at the desired height for backyard orchards.
@KellenChase
3 жыл бұрын
I don’t know how I never get tired of the endless amounts of videos you put out, or how incredibly prolific you are… I am always looking forward to seeing when you’re going to talk about, abd I have to say, I can’t wait for your book (assuming it’s comíng) on your grocery row gardening system. Thanks for the book suggestion. Gonna go get it now as I’ve got 8 mango seedlings from seed in pots and bought my first couple fruit trees this week.
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you. I will probably write the Grocery Row book in a year or two, after I've worked the system out.
@KellenChase
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood I thought that would be the case. It’s really awesome to see the work in process (of both the system and the creative force of a book in the making as well).
@stephanygates6491
3 жыл бұрын
When you lopped off the canna blossom, I thought of Mortician Addams and her roses.
@karen-hillshomestead
3 жыл бұрын
LOL
@tytyvyllus8298
3 жыл бұрын
We bought Grow A Little Fruit Tree on DTG's (months ago) recommendation and can confirm its quality.
@Homesteading247
6 ай бұрын
This is the knowledge on keeping fruit trees manageable that I've been seeking 🌱🌻 I love how you parent your children ✝️
@V13-u1c
3 жыл бұрын
Your humor is wonderful! Thanks mister~that baby is gonna be a master gardener when she gets older. Way to go Momma and Papa!
@garden_geek
3 жыл бұрын
I went full psychopath on my kiwis and my peach tree after watching the last video and they have literally never looked better. I was so afraid to do the necessary pruning that last summer I lost an entire branch on my peach tree that was loaded up with nearly-ripe peaches. It broke off in a wind storm. It was such a bummer. This year there’s far less fruit but that’s ok because the tree looks way better and can handle our summer wind. Thank you for bringing out my inner pruning psychopath!
@AVSgirl1985
3 жыл бұрын
I love seeing the kids in your videos!!
@NoLongerLukewarm
3 жыл бұрын
More small fruit tree maintaining and berry maintaining, potted and in ground! Pppplleeeaaseeee
@MrsGreenThumb
3 жыл бұрын
Oh my goodness your helper is adorable. The tree is looking fantastic David.
@heathermartin2878
3 жыл бұрын
O my heart. So cute
@Carol-nv6py
2 жыл бұрын
The babies are the best of your videos! Love them.
@halleluyah8241
3 жыл бұрын
Right on time! Thanks, DTG. :) Cutest assistant ever! Hugs to the little sweetie-pie!
@davidpritchett855
3 жыл бұрын
I loved the scene sharing berries with your kiddo. That's why I watch your videos. I currently suck at gardening and I barely let the kids in the garden because everything always seems to be barely hanging in there and I really want to get a good return on the effort. It's probably too much of a spirit of fear but it's difficult to not feel that way when I have very little time outside of my 9-5.
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
It is really hard to do all that you want to get done when you're on the clock for a big chunk of your life.
@dancemontec
3 жыл бұрын
I'm gonna go prune my two apple trees now! THanks
@laurab9247
3 жыл бұрын
“What do you want your trees to do? Make them DO IT,” A wise saying from a wise man, David the Good
@johnfichtner4616
3 жыл бұрын
We had a bunch of young apple trees when I was a kid. Our goats got out and stripped nearly all of the bark off of one of them. That tree ended up being the biggest best producing apple tree in our orchard.
@bettylane6982
3 жыл бұрын
Your little girl looks just like Rachael - imagine that! Check out Paul Gauche’s pruning, he’s a master pruner and his apple trees are unusual to say the least. He trims any branch growing in or up to keep them low to the ground. Your soil must be improving with six feet of growth in 4 months. Good job!
@teresaamsler5083
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, David, for your inspiration. I enjoy your common sense approach. I started a lasagna bed last weekend. I was giddy making the layers because I had all the material on my one acre to complete a 3' x 8', 9-layer bed to 2 1/2 foot height. I almost panicked when I thought I was running out of greens when I remembered you chopping up that perennial tree in the tropics. I used my cottonwood suckers! Bless you and your family. 👍😎👍
@babetteisinthegarden6920
3 жыл бұрын
Oh, I know what you mean about not pruning your hedges I have eugenia or Australian Bush cherries that are about 30 or 40 feet tall, so I guess I better go out and prune my Peach seedlings I usually top everything at 5 feet, but I don't keep up with them so that's why I have a 25-foot-tall avocado tree it through a new leader and I didn't catch it
@TheVigilantStewards
3 жыл бұрын
Great video David! Pruning, always an ignored topic in permaculture videos on youtube except the same story about the peach tree. Thanks for digging in and then explaining the time of year with the sap rising and falling and vigor grow or cut... that was very helpful.
@lvanderb3
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for this information! I just went out and really trimmed down my big old (well, 20ish yrs old) multi grafted apple tree
@green_stiller
3 жыл бұрын
"Something's been chewing on it too. That's normal. That's called nature." hahaha
@carminedecicco1753
3 жыл бұрын
She is adorable !!!
@misterdubity3073
3 жыл бұрын
This was way better pruning advice than Mr. Miyagi gave to Daniel-san. Thank you. Plus, you are an awesome dad!
@KYKAYAKER274ey1
2 жыл бұрын
You’re very blessed we’ve had 3 boys always wanted a girl but I’m very blessed but in awe of your helper
@FlannelFarms
3 жыл бұрын
Best helper ever!
@FlannelFarms
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood well shucks.
@stuartskrabec1156
3 жыл бұрын
I get excited when my fruit tree puts on growth. Also your daughter is a super cutie! Thanks for the content
@robertlong8364
3 жыл бұрын
ever dealt with armadillos or moles (in addition to squirrels and and leaf footed bugs? ) Central FL gardening is a challenge ....
@zeph2076
3 жыл бұрын
Aww! What a pretty baby! I've noticed your kids are super well behaved. Sign of loving parents. Thanks so much for all the tips! Fruit trees are so confusing to me, haha.
@Carolynfoodforest355
3 жыл бұрын
Good video and your children are awesome and that little girl is just too cute.
@Homesteading247
6 ай бұрын
Holy moly!!! I've been wondering where to plant my Canas 😲 you're a genius lol
@manguydude287
3 жыл бұрын
David got me into aggressive pruning. Now I'm watching videos of Peter chan chopping at bonsais with an axe and sledge hammer
@marcelploeger8286
3 жыл бұрын
I love fruit Trees
@putiwang7679
3 жыл бұрын
"Grow a little fruit tree". That is what i want. I read that book. But I am in Florida, i don't have apple trees. Instead i have avocado, mango trees...
@fadista7063
3 жыл бұрын
Good to see the little ones in the garden 😃, this reminds me of my mom teaching me how to save seeds from marigolds and citrus as a child This pruning for control is exactly what I am trying to do in my small city lot. Thanks for these demos...I have an odd question, though. Will this pruning cause the roots to branch out more also? I have a sewer line and it was encroached by roots before. Also, do yall have a recipe you like for chaya? I have a lot coming up and want to cook it correctly.
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
Pruning is supposed to reduce root growth. As for chaya, I just boil it for 20 minutes, then eat it as a side. Rachel has used cooked chaya leaves as a replacement for noodles in lasagna, too.
@fadista7063
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood ok thanks much! I am definitely cutting that mango back and trying some chaya this weekend. 🌿
@blindpro6404
9 ай бұрын
love it, prune like a phyco
@MJ-ti6oh
Жыл бұрын
Great post. Such a sweet little girl. Thanks for sharing.
@geraldfranz9085
3 жыл бұрын
Multitasking in the garden, a kid in one hand and a pair of snips in the other. Teaching good gardeners and good children all at the same time. U B my hero DTG. 😎👍👉💥🛎🌱 Keep on rockin in the green world !!! 🎶🎸🎶🎸🌱🌱🌱🎸🎶🎸🎶 Ya, dat iz goot !!! 😁👍👏👏👏👏
@DustySplinters
3 жыл бұрын
Great Video... You are absolutely correct. If you prune vertical growth mid summer, the tree looses the desire to regrow a vertical leader in that spot. We want more horizontal growth. I wonder if the early use of training trees espalier was to promote horizontal growth or just for decoration? Peace, W
@jerrodthompson6714
3 жыл бұрын
DTG, you are a treasure. Thank you
@Sam-tg4ii
3 жыл бұрын
Love the family atmosphere
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
She used to be way taller.
@cadenmefford8145
3 жыл бұрын
I got the grow a little fruit tree book about two years ago. It was a huge help in the beginning, especially having pictures to reference.
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
I agree. She makes it simple.
@matthewkizziahcuzia...gott9632
3 жыл бұрын
Bonsai is all about pruning. Some of the best trees are found in the wild. Pruned by deer and freezing winters as well as blazing summers.
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely.
@TheVigilantStewards
3 жыл бұрын
WHAT!? Never heard that! Didn't think there was much pruning in the wild after they reached a certain height above browsing level... thanks for sharing Matthew!
@karen-hillshomestead
3 жыл бұрын
Great video. Thanks David!
@angelbear_og
3 жыл бұрын
Any advice on pruning mature (12'+) apple & pear trees? Lots of death needs to be taken off of both, but I want to "fix" the rest. Just bought this property, trees haven't been managed, probably ever. Also have three really huge pecan trees, don't know what, if anything, should be done with them.
@qualqui
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you David for sharing this Father/daughter time with us, while Mom's the Camera Lady, love every glimpse of your IRIE garden, wow those Cannas are HUGE, loved seeing the Apricot tree. So I guess this also applies to tropical fruit trees? LOL...you give her a blueberry and she gives it back, prefers a strawberry and then what's left of the blueberries she gives you one and she eats another, I'm thinking, at the moment she's the youngest of The Good Children? Thanks for sharing and liked. chop and drop to maintain order and control in your grocery row/orchard garden. :)
@karen-hillshomestead
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, she's the youngest but there is another one on the way! :)
@maggievw1166
3 жыл бұрын
I didn't have to prune my 30-year-old peach tree (bush) this spring. A hickory that didn't survive the ice storm did it for me. Luckily the old girl survived and will still fruit some this year.
@nancyfahey7518
3 жыл бұрын
I have a nectarine that's doing great. The peach died. Do I need another to pollinate? I'm thinking of bringing in a carolina plum.
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
Some self-pollinate, I believe, but almost all fruit trees do better with a mate. You should have another peach or nectarine to pollinate, not a plum.
@rogerbeck5704
3 жыл бұрын
Bought the book, great information, I had just bought several fruit trees, they are now little fruit trees, can't wait to see how the trees respond. Highly recommend the book!
@hagenoft
3 жыл бұрын
And I'm off to go prune my grocery isle backyard garden. Thanks for the encouragement!
@Homesteading247
6 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@evatheoverthinker6762
2 жыл бұрын
Very helpful, thank you!
@elizebethparker5412
3 жыл бұрын
Very timely, thank you
@FloridaGirl-
2 жыл бұрын
Very good vid! 👍 You can read and read. But nothing like seeing 👀 hands on! Especially trees! Your garden is looking pretty awesome! Love the apricot tree 🤣. About 10’ . Looks at branch, “ this makes me feel insecure. “. Starts cutting. Now its 4’. Now I feel better. 🤣🤣🤣. Dave, you are a psychopath. 🤣
@tanarehbein7768
3 жыл бұрын
Okay you get the prize for cutest assistant ever.
@tcs007
3 жыл бұрын
Dude, you're a lunatic! I'm in!
@seralaltidor370
3 жыл бұрын
That’s what I want is a a couple of different variety of mango trees in my back yard. My plan is to keep them in huge pots and to keep them trimmed. I’m lucky that I live in Florida and there’s a nursery near me that can get many different variety of mango trees.
@melanielinkous8746
3 жыл бұрын
Do you recommend pruning my fig tree this time of year? There are a couple of figs on it.
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
If you wish to keep it small, you can prune now. If you want to eat the figs first, prune after harvest.
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
But know this: if you prune too late in the year, the tree may get burned worse by frost due to trying to make new growth.
@melanielinkous8746
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood ok....might just wait til winter. Thanks!
@notmyfault6835
3 жыл бұрын
If I am not mistaken, fig trees only fruit on new wood... so pruning a fig is a good idea if you want lots of fruit. 🤗
@IS-217
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing David I need to do this. OMG your daughter is so cute! lol She seems interested in what you are doing lol. So cute guys. Cheers! Happy gardening.
@cooperchauvin8163
3 жыл бұрын
Pruning my trees like a cabirou...
@LauraTeAhoWhite
3 жыл бұрын
Nature is mean but David is brutal 😂
@TheVigilantStewards
3 жыл бұрын
Nature is mean, but it's ok I'm meaner *snip snip* haha
@cooperchauvin8163
3 жыл бұрын
Your daughter is adorable! Already mulching the canna hahahaha
@themusenextdoor
3 жыл бұрын
SO USEFUL! I have to be very careful with pruning my food forest because both size and appearance are important considerations in a patio garden.
@jettyeddie_m9130
3 жыл бұрын
I like the little strawberries also they are the sweetest , your daughter has good strawberry eye 🙂
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
I can't believe how good she is at spotting berries.
@matthewfarrell317
3 жыл бұрын
If you want high density planting, then you have to not be afraid of pruning, we have 25 trees in a 60sq metre area, and they all need to be pruned to make sure nothing over tops the others.
@GypsyBrokenwings
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I wondered if you were going to cover summer pruning. Unfortunately the trees is bought are branched a bit higher at the main yard, due to the size I bought them at... but I'll make them work. Hope daughters a 💓. Wish my kids were still that size.
@essenceofanarchony8892
3 жыл бұрын
Do you live on an old abandoned atomic test site? Those trees got huge!
@luellenatlittletexashomest3041
3 жыл бұрын
Prune Like a Psychopath - the Sequel! Well done! I am the Powerful Queen of my orchard. Chop off their heads! David, you makes me feel Fearless... on the other hand, you encourage my Psychopathic Tendencies. Come to think of it, gardening is a Good outlet for those tendencies, so I'll look for that pruning tool I bought last season. Edward Scissorhands got nothing on me. Wait, where is that pruner, anyway? Maybe Edward has a... point. Built in garden tools is the way to go.
@elizabethcoen4110
3 жыл бұрын
David, this is great info. How long before you will expect to get regular fruit production on those trees? I imagine it takes a few years to get them pruned and growing the way you want them.
@just_a_kat6094
3 жыл бұрын
Dassa cute baby
@Cheezitnator
3 жыл бұрын
If I'm growing a ponderosa lemon or pomelo and want to keep it short do I need to give it extra support for the heavy fruits? Maybe I should just try to espalier them across my fence.
@baddriversofcolga
3 жыл бұрын
Anne Ralph's book is great! I also really like Steven Edholm's (Skillcult) videos on apple/pear pruning.
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
Me too.
@DucPham-ok5ko
2 жыл бұрын
I'm living in MN (zone 4 B). I got some Asian pear trees. I watched a lot of clips about pruning. I'm confusing about that. What's different between summer pruning and winter pruning? which one for more fruit and which one for shape
@156aliciasy
2 ай бұрын
Hello, how would I do this to keep a Dogwood kousa about 8 ft with flowers?
@156aliciasy
2 ай бұрын
Will the tree trunk get wide with all the pruning?
@deathlesszero
3 жыл бұрын
Beautiful video! How many kids do you have David?
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
10.
@rosehavenfarm2969
3 жыл бұрын
Strawberry with a blueberry chaser...
@kimberlylocklear611
2 жыл бұрын
So much knowledge God bless. I have a question. I bought 2 apple trees this spring from the local Tractor Supply and one is growing slightly bent, it's tall maybe 6/6 1/2 foot tall is it too late to cut back?
@davidthegood
2 жыл бұрын
I would cut it back.
@kimberlylocklear611
2 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood thanks
@expatconn7242
3 жыл бұрын
Should I prune my peach 🍑 after it bears 🍑s ? Do it now ?
@MalkiZee
2 жыл бұрын
What's the red flower at 9:30 ?
@janbeck7989
3 жыл бұрын
Wait...what kind of apple is that? I don't live too far from you (now) and I thought apple trees wouldn't grow down here. Does anyone know what type that is?
@newcreationcoachingllc6491
2 жыл бұрын
Someone mentioned not to do dwarfs. I did buy dwarfs. Condo mangos, etc. Does that change anything? Should I not buy dwarfs in the future?
@davidthegood
2 жыл бұрын
The root systems are weaker, so if you plan to prune regularly, you may have longer-lasting trees if they are not on dwarfing root stocks. That said - enjoy those trees! They'll be a blessing.
@newcreationcoachingllc6491
2 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood THANKS!
@theteenagegardner
Жыл бұрын
Just wanted too ask does your daughter still sell canna roots on her Etsy shop?
@davidthegood
Жыл бұрын
Not at this time of year - she's sold out for now.
@theteenagegardner
Жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood I can see why lol
@invincibel4007
3 жыл бұрын
What are your thoughts on pruning a pawpaw tree?
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
I haven't had one get big enough, but I can't see why it wouldn't work.
@peggyhall7465
3 жыл бұрын
Are there any fruit trees you wouldn’t recommend for the grocery row Gardens? What about the Persimmon or mulberry?
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
I have used the Japanese persimmon in a previous bed and it did great. They are easy to keep under control. I also plan to use mulberries. I probably wouldn't plant something that wants to get super huge, like black cherry, jackfruit or a pecan.
@peggyhall7465
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood thank you
@sandrabeck8788
3 жыл бұрын
Your trees seem to like growing there in the poor soil! I saw on another you tube channel that recommendations are changing from a vase model to a Christmas tree model. Have you heard of this?
@JRoadzReegz
3 жыл бұрын
Just be the deer.......
@mikealmere70
3 жыл бұрын
You're daughter looked as if she understands your comment on growth. She will watchh out not to grow bigger than her daddy.
@xxxreadxxx12
3 жыл бұрын
This was a really good video David!
@zachlloyd9392
3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely love the kids in the food forest/garden. My kids love being in my food forest. Especially now that the blackberries are ripening 😁
@karenjones9422
3 жыл бұрын
I have that book and love it! I'm following it to grow 2 apples and a plum
@biggersmilesinasia8402
3 жыл бұрын
When's good for pruning if in the tropics? Do our trees go to sleep??? Too hot to sleep?
@davidthegood
3 жыл бұрын
To reduce the tree's size, prune when it's actively growing during the rainy season.
@biggersmilesinasia8402
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidthegood Thanks David. Perfect time at the moment then. My mulberry is going mental!!!
@Iloveorganicgardening
3 жыл бұрын
"it makes me feel insecure"" Lol I too feel your pain When I buy a tool and can't find it when I need it
@TRINITY-ks6nw
3 жыл бұрын
I keep my tools on trellises et fencing There is less walking et transporting of tools Rust is a battle though Our rural community is rife with theft No one has ever stolen a hoe, shovel, pruner, scythe Tools that represent work have been safe to date
@Iloveorganicgardening
3 жыл бұрын
@@TRINITY-ks6nw yea, they aren't going to steal tools that you actually have to use to do real work right?!?
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