You don’t need a large estate to grow a variety of fruits at home. If space is a problem, you can plant dwarf varieties. You can also try pruning and training trees on a trellis. Even container growing is possible.
However, fruit-bearing trees and plants can be a bit picky about location. You should plant them in well-draining soil in a space that receives full sun. They will also need good air circulation and protection from wind and cold weather.
Fruits to Grow in Your Backyard
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Mail-order nurseries tend to offer more tree and plant varieties than garden centers. If you want a broad selection, you should start there.
If you’re unsure about which variety to buy, your local nursery likely carries plants that thrive in your area.
Below are some of the best fruit you can grow in your garden.
Blueberries
Growing blueberries requires some advance work. The shrub thrives in well-draining soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0. Conduct a soil test on your space. If your soil lacks the required the acidity, you can grow blueberries in a container. All they will need then is an ericaceous (acidic) compost, which you can buy in your local garden center.
Blueberries are low maintenance. They begin to bear fruit after about 3 years. In the meantime, they make lovely patio plants. The shrubs will live and produce for years. For a large harvest, you will need two varieties for pollination.
Strawberries
You can grow three types of strawberry. The June-bearing variety produces one large crop. They bear fruits that are good for preserves and freezing. Everbearing strawberries produce two to three smaller harvests each season. Day Neutral strawberries bear small amounts of fruit throughout the season.
While strawberry plants are easy to grow, they don’t survive for long. You will have to replace or rejuvenate them every three to five years.
Cherries
Cherries are one of the easiest fruit trees to grow. They require minimal to no pruning and are rarely plagued by pests or diseases. Sweet cherries require two trees for cross-pollination. You can also buy a tree with two different varieties grafted on it – which is a great space saver.
Cherries grow best in deep, well-draining soil with adequate organic matter. They thrive in cooler, less humid climates. In Australia, they are an excellent choice for gardens and backyards across much of the southern states, Tasmania, and the highlands. In the USA, cherries are best suited up to Zone 8 but will also grow well along the Pacific North-West.
Figs
Fig trees are easy to grow either in the ground or in containers. Most fig varieties are only hardy down to USDA hardiness zone seven. But a few cultivars are hardier. You can also grow your tree in a container.
If you grow your fig tree in a container, you can move it indoors for the winter. Just remember to keep the container small. The more confined the roots, the smaller the top of the tree will remain. Even then, you can expect an abundant harvest of figs.
Citrus
Citrus varieties include oranges, kumquats, and grapefruit. These make excellent container plants and are prolific growers. When planting citrus, you should watch the salt levels of the soil. Citrus plants are prone to salt damage.
Proper soil drainage is crucial for eliminating excess salt. However, regular watering can eventually clear salt from porous soil.
Raspberries
Raspberries grow best in cooler regions. Plant raspberry seeds in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. Mix in some compost to give them a running start. Winter is the best time to plant them. That’s when nurseries and mail-order companies sell virus-free single canes.
Raspberries grow 4 to 6 feet high. Their canes will start to arch as the fruit ripens. If you intend to plant raspberries in a container, you’ll need a trellis to manage their growth.
Maintenance Tips
Keeping a clean garden means picking up after your trees. Fruit that drops to the ground can contain insect larvae. These can burrow into the soil where they overwinter to re-emerge in the spring.
Fruit left on the ground will also attract voles and mice. These critters can damage trees by chewing on the bark.
This is why you should pick up any dropped fruit and burn or bury it far from your trees. Do this as soon as possible to catch the larvae before they make it into the ground.
It’s especially important to collect the spring drops. These are still small but they can contain a large number of larvae.
You should also clean up fallen leaves as these can likewise harbor disease and insects.
Choose fruits that are suited to your climate and time availability…
Even the hottest climates suit some fruits. Mango, banana, figs and pineapples immediately come to mind. Papaya (paw paw), pomegranate and even coffee are others.
All of the above are low maintenance. If you have time, there are more exotic fruits like custard apple, loquat and even cashew.
Most citrus are extremely adaptable and very forgiving of neglect.
It’s up to you to choose for your climate. Avocado won’t grow where it snows and rasberries aren’t going to handle the tropics. But the selection available for your climate is probably far bigger than you ever imagined.
Feeling inspired? Or do you already grow fruit in your garden? We’d love to hear about your experiences!
