How to Grow Fruit Trees in Shade

Fruit trees thrive on sunlight and rain, producing juicy, succulent treats during the harvest season. If you are interested in growing fruit trees, but your current growing conditions tend to be too shady, you may have difficulty getting your trees to produce fruit. Mobility is key to growing fruit trees in shaded areas, so be prepared to move your trees into the sun for periods of light exposure if you want them to thrive.

Things You'll Need

• Container dwarf fruit trees
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Place your dwarf varieties of container fruit trees near a window in your home that receives full to partial sunlight. Even if a permanent spot you choose is partially shaded, some sun is required to produce healthy dwarf fruit varieties.

2. In the morning, move the containers to your porch or to another area in your home that receives full to partial sun.

3. Follow the sunlight with your trees, moving them to a new window as the day progresses. If time constraints prohibit you from doing this, choose a window in your home that receives the most light throughout the day.

4. Fertilize your fruit trees regularly. Because they are not in their outdoor environment or receiving full sunlight, they require the nutrients provided in fertilizer to produce fruit.

5. Refrain from pruning your trees when they are young, especially during the first year of growth, because this may stunt their growth and keep them from producing fruit.

Tips & Warnings

• Dwarf varieties are not your only option, but they are more mobile than larger trees, allowing you to help them get the most light possible.

References

• Home Orchard Society
• Garden Webs
• Rod's Garden