Dwarf fruit trees have really given anyone a great chance to grow their own apples or pears in their gardens.

But instead of planting them in a monoculture, using companion planting to create a Fruit Tree Guild is a great way to integrate these trees in, without much sacrifice on garden space or practicality.

Here I go into what fruit tree guild is and how to accommodate one to a smaller garden with Dwarf Apples or Pears.

What is a Fruit Tree Guild?

A fruit tree guild is another way to saying you planted other edible companion plants at the base of your fruit trees, instead of leaving them by themselves. Similar to using companion plants to smaller vegetables.

It’s simply planting in a permaculture or polyculture way to help create biodiversity in the garden bed, with hopes (and success might I add) to mitigate disease, pests, and improve the growth and flavor of the tree.

In contrast, most major orchards are monoculture. As in they only have apple or pear trees planted. Nothing else.

Monoculture gardens have its downsides such as persistent pests, disease, and loss of crops more often compared to polyculture orchards. It’s often the reason why most major orchards have to use pesticides and other sprays on their food.

For the home gardener, we do not have to adapt to monoculture. In fact, creating a mini fruit tree guild right in your vegetable garden is going to be easier, especially in a small garden, than trying to find land to grow an orchard.

With just a few tips, and some planning just about anyone can plant fruit trees.

Let’s Dive in…

One year old tree got her companions: Liberty Apple Tree (dwarf), Rhubarb, Orange Daylilies, Chives (not shown in the picture). This grouping is next to a garden bed planted with bean, corn, sunflowers. This particular walkway could handle a tree barging into it.

Apple and Pear Tree Companion Plants

The best companion plant for apples or pears is another tree!

You do need to get two different types of apples (crab apples work as great pollinators as well), or two different types of pears for best pollination and fruit bearing.

If you neighbor has an apple tree, then you are in luck! Their tree can be the second tree to pollinate yours, leaving you only needing to buy one tree.

That is the first part of planning a fruit tree guild.

Also, make sure you look for dwarf trees to make things easier as the years go on, especially if you are trying to squeeze them in a small space. Dwarf trees usually are only 10-12 foot tall.

Other companion plants include (for both apples and pears):

Chives
Rhubarb
Gooseberry
Lavender
Rosemary
Sage
Oregano
Comfrey
Daylilies
Dandelions
Basic vegetable garden annuals: marigolds, nasturtiums, small sunflowers, zinnias, flowering basils

Not an exhaustive list, but these will grow well under a Dwarf Sized Tree.

How to Plant the Mini Fruit Guild

Plant the Dwarf Fruit Trees.

For a $50 tree dig a $500 hole. Take the time to dig a good hole for your tree! Besides this, make sure you give yourself ample walking space around the tree to harvest as years go on.

Fruit trees should be floating rather than shoved against a wall. Also think about the shade it will make when matured.

Plant Edible Companions.

After you have planted the fruit tree, it’s time to extend the bed a bit and add the companion plants. Below, are examples of having a round or a square bed and what you can do with them.

These beds do not need to be that big. Please plant what you have and what you want to take care of. There are lots of combinations of tree + companions plants you can do!

Mulch!

Avoid cedar mulch, since this can lead to ceder rust. A layer of compost, a layer of cardboard, then a layer of grass clippings, pine shavings, or straw works very well. The cardboard helps lures earthworms which then helps create healthy soils.

That’s It!

Please have fun growing fruit trees right in your vegetable garden!

Remember you will need two trees to pollinate well and just a few good friends sitting at their feet. All which can be edible!

And yes, this is small garden approved. Perhaps not balcony garden approved, but if you have just a bit a space you can start a mini fruit guild just like the people who have acres of land.

Enjoy!

-Chelsea, The Cottage Vegetable