Late September is an ideal time to plant fruit trees and bushes in containers on a sunny patio, even without a garden. Strawberries, blueberries, currants and container-suitable apple, pear or cherry trees can all be grown successfully in pots, troughs or hanging baskets.
What to plant now
Strawberries are a good starting point, with runners or young plants able to go into pots, troughs or hanging baskets while conditions remain mild. The crown should sit level with the compost surface and watering should be generous while roots establish.
Blueberries also grow well in containers, particularly where garden soil is unsuitable. A large pot filled with peat-free ericaceous compost kept consistently moist is recommended. Rainwater is preferable, especially in hard-water areas, as blueberries need acidic growing conditions.
What to harvest
September is prime harvesting time for many apples and pears. Apples are generally ready when they lift and twist easily from the branch, while pears should usually be picked slightly before fully ripe and allowed to finish ripening indoors. Late blueberries and perpetual strawberries may still be producing, depending on cultivar and growing conditions.
Currants and cherries have normally finished by now, so these are crops to plan for next year.
Plan for later planting
Autumn is a good time to choose container fruit trees and bushes, with the dormant season offering an excellent planting opportunity. For apples, pears and cherries, the rootstock matters as much as the cultivar. Dwarfing rootstocks keep trees manageable in pots: apples on M9 or M26, pears on Quince C and cherries on Gisela 5 are useful options for restricted spaces.
Currants also grow well in large containers. Blackcurrants need generous pots, while red and whitecurrants can be trained as cordons where space is tight.
Keep pots productive
Substantial containers with good drainage, ideally at least 45-50cm across for permanent fruit bushes and trees, are recommended. A peat-free, loam-based compost gives long-term plants more stability than standard lightweight compost. Containers dry out faster than open ground, so moisture levels should be checked even as autumn arrives. Raising pots slightly on pot feet allows excess winter rain to drain freely.
Pollination should be considered before buying fruit trees. Many apples and pears need another compatible cultivar flowering at the same time. Some cherries are self-fertile, making them useful where there is only room for one tree. Blueberries are often self-fertile too, but planting two compatible cultivars can improve cropping. With thoughtful choices, even a small patio can become a productive little fruit garden.
