The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Growing fruit trees incontainersis surprisingly easy, and there are some decided advantages.

Finally, growing in pots makes it possible to grow certain species that are borderline hardy in your region.

Use Quality Pots

Cheaper is not always better.

Fruit tree with round yellow fruit in large clay pot next to potted red flowers

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Choose a quality pot if the tree is going to be in it for any length of time.

Avoid cheap plastic pots, which can become faded and dull within a year or two.Drainage holesare necessary.

Glazed ceramic pots or good quality polyurethane are good choices.

Large clay pot filled with potting soil for fruit tree

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Before the pot is moved to shelter, though, it should be watered thoroughly.

Regular use of a good time-release fertilizer will keep your fruit tree healthy and vital.

Osmocote is a good choice, as it releases nutrients gradually over a period of months.

Outdoor shelving with rows full of quality pots

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Be sure not to over-fertilize, and see to it to follow label directions exactly.

The best fertilizers for fruit trees are high in nitrogen and include a broad selection of trace minerals.

In general, all potted plants require more frequent watering since the soil dries faster in an exposed container.

Different fruit trees lined and sold outside in black plastic pots

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The potting medium should be moist but never soggy.

One such seller is Stark Bros Nursery and Orchards Co., of Missouri.

It is the oldest mail-order fruit tree seller in the U.S.

Apple Trees in Containers.Washington State University Extension