Our peach tree in a 38 litre Air-Pot container just keeps on giving. It has thrived in the recent warm weather experienced in the U.K. Now it has fruited it will be moved out of the poly tunnel for the rest of the summer.

Soft fruit can do very well in Air-Pot containers even in a partially shaded location. Vigorous growers like raspberries are often said to quickly exhaust soil in a pot, but these have been happy for several years in the 38 litre size, given generous feeding and an occasional topping-up of potting soil. Generous watering and anti-bird netting has ensured good pickings.

Last Autumn saw a good crop of Chestnuts and I threw a handful into an Air-Pot container. They germinated well and have produced a thicket of strong plants – a potential forest.

 It is now time to open the pot, tease plants apart and grow on in individual pots. The advantage of starting in an Air-Pot container is that the downward growing tap roots will not have hit a solid base and been forced sideways into an “L” shape as happens in a conventional pot. When the tap roots do reach the bottom they will be air pruned, stimulating the trees to produce more lateral roots, allowing better uptake of nutrients and water.