Step over apple tree

Hi All,

I am looking to block of the veg area of the garden so as my son cannot get into it. I have thought of a number of ideas and had settled on a picket fence. After watching Gardeners World this week I quite fancy a step over apple tree. Does anyone grow these and if do have you got any tips about buying and planting etc?

Thanks
Rusty

 

Not sure it would keep your son out? They tend to be more "trip over" rather than "clamber over"

However, they do make an obvious "edge" to a garden, and thus he might well realise he has to go "round" rather than "over"

I was a bit sceptical about Monty saying that you can take a "Maiden" Apple and "bend" it over a bit now, and significantly more in the Spring, such that it will make a right-angle-bend (or close to that). I think in practice you are going to have to cut 90% off and then train the shoots, which then grow, sideways. (I presume you can train a step-over "both ways" from the plant, rather than only in one direction, and thus you could plant them about 6' apart with each one growing 3' each way, until they meet.

Personally I would grow espalier instead, and use the Apple / Pear plants to make a proper "barrier", but that would cast some shade - although probably only enough to be of concern if they are on the South side of your bed.