Farmer explains a brilliant no-cost gardening tip to maximize your fruit yield at home

Cultivating fruit trees, as seasoned individuals can attest, is considerably more challenging than it may appear initially. However, there is encouraging news for those harboring aspirations of tending to their own orchards. A gardener has generously shared some advice on how you can ensure the success and flourishing of your fruit trees. The Solarpunk Farmer—who goes by @solarpunkfarmer—is a self-declared "urban agroecologist" based in Los Angeles.

He emphasizes the importance of mimicking a forest environment when growing fruit trees to achieve optimal results and ensure their well-being. He says, "Most of our fruit trees are native to forests. You never see bare soil in a forest. That's because, in a forest, trees fertilize themselves with their own residues."

People's inclination for tidiness and cleanliness can often hinder the flourishing of such trees. Removing fallen leaves, branches, and fruit from the base of a tree deprives it of vital nutrients. He then provides a practical demonstration of reviving a struggling fruit tree. Proceeding to select a lemon tree with exposed soil around it, he performs a thorough pruning of the tree.

He then layers the surrounding soil with leaves, branches and residue, creating a beneficial environment for the tree. "Now look at all that free fertilizer we got," pointing the camera towards the residue left on the soil from the pruning.

He continues, "We're gonna chip it up." Then, he elaborates on a method of fertilizing the soil by crushing and incorporating spoiled fruit into the soil. To demonstrate this concept, he stomps on a decaying lemon lying on the ground, showcasing an unconventional yet practical approach to feeding nutrients to the tree. Finally, he places a few worms and a fallen log onto the layered soil.

Comments on the video have been positive. @fat_positive_organizer comments, "Who knew me being lazy was helping my trees." Another user, @honeyflow.er, reflected on the video, saying, "It's amazing how everything in nature is already perfect and humans just hinder it with our limited ideas of perfection." @omgicantwithyall added, "Also helps conserve water. As a desert gardener, mulch is a lifesaver."

By incorporating these additional elements, the tree experiences enhanced growth and improved overall health within a relatively brief timeframe. Notably, this method is entirely chemical-free, rendering it ecologically sustainable. Engaging in backyard food cultivation not only reduces reliance on store-bought produce but also contributes to a diminished environmental impact. Growing your own food minimizes the need for transportation, packaging and energy associated with commercial agriculture, thereby fostering sustainability and promoting eco-friendliness.