Granny Smith Apple Tree.

I went to the Farmers Market in Raleigh the other day and found a guy selling Granny Smith apple trees.  Granny Smiths are my favorite apple and I've been looking for a tree for quite some time.  I've never seen them at Lowes or Home Depot.  Anyway, the tree looked nice and it was only $25.  I bought it without any hesitation.  Luckily it fit in the van.

I dug a hole that was slightly bigger than the root ball of the tree.  I probably should've made it bigger.

I put compost in the bottom of the hole, and then removed the tree from the pot and placed it in the hole.  I filled in the remaining space with more compost.

The final step was to install an IrriPan (like I'd done with my previous trees) and then water it.  It'll probably be a few years before I get apples, but that's how it goes.  If I don't put in a tree I'll never get any!

Fruit Trees and IrriPans

I've been in my house for a little over 3 years now.  I've been slowly planting fruit trees during that time.

Pear tree.

Just recently I found out about a product called IrriPan weed mats.  They looked interesting so I thought I'd give them a try.  I ordered them from here.

Their web site claims that they multiply water by:

• Capture rain water falling in a 5 square root area and funnel it to your plant
• Prevent precious soil moisture from evaporating
• Keep weeds from stealing moisture from your plants

I would add that they'll also prevent chickens from digging up the roots.

IrriPan weed mat

These things capture rain water and focus it to the roots of the tree.  Water will also condensate on the bottom and go back into the ground.

Pear tree with IrriPan installed.

Installation was easy.  I didn't count how many stakes they sent, but I had enough to use 4-5 stakes per weed mat.

Second pear tree with IrriPan in place.

Peach tree.  I put the logs there to prevent the chickens from scratching that area (which they tried to do as soon as I put the tree there).

Peach tree with IrriPan weed mat.

This is a mulberry tree.  I'm hoping that one day it will produce fruit that my chickens will enjoy.

Since I just installed these things I can't really comment on how well they work.  Installation was easy, and they're sturdy.  I have no reason to believe that they won't do what they claim.