Which fruit?
The climate dictates the fruit you can grow. Apples, pears, peaches, cherries and raspberries do best in places with frosty or at least cool winters, while mangoes, pawpaws and citrus grow in frost-free or warmer climates. Outside its preferred climate, the number and quality of the fruit will be low and the plant, stressed by the conditions, will be attacked by pests.

Cross-pollination
Most fruit trees will pollinate themselves, but some stone and pome fruits (apples, pears, plums and cherries) need another, related tree nearby. If you have room for only one tree, check that it's self-fertile.

Tree size
Some fruit trees grow quite big so consider planting dwarf varieties or an espalier against a sunny wall.

Where to plant
Fruit-bearing plants generally need very rich, well-drained soil in full sun.

On-going care
For good-quality fruit, plants need plenty of water, regular feeding and removal of pests and weeds. Some will also need pruning, usually annually. Pruning not only helps to produce the best quality fruit, it also controls tree size, making harvesting and spraying easier.

Watering
Weekly or fortnightly watering is most important during spring, summer and early autumn (depending on temperature and wind). Water slowly to avoid run-off and water deeply. Light sprinklings are not helpful at all.

Feeding
Usually feed two or three times a year with complete plant food beneath and beyond the foliage canopy but well away from the trunk. Check the pack for instructions.

Problems
Weeds compete with the fruiting plant for water, food and space. Remove weeds and other plants promptly and keep the area beneath trees clear and well mulched.

Pests are most prevalent during the warmer months. A plague will soon build, so inspect plants often and take quick action. Identify insects first (some may be harmless or beneficial) and, if they're pests and there are too many of them to remove by hand, use a chemical spray.

Chilling requirement
Some plants need a period of low temperatures or they won't fruit. This period is known as their chilling requirement and is expressed as the number of hours they must be exposed to temperatures below 10C. The figure is cumulative and does not have to occur in one stretch - days can be warmer than 10C so long as nights are cooler.

Source:Gardening: A Commonsense Guide (Murdoch Books)