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Fruit & Orchards

what to grow on west side of house?

12 years ago

So the south side of the house seems like a good microclimate for growing things that would ideally like to be in a warmer zone (figs, pomegranates); the north side seems like a good place for things that need to be slowed down in the spring so they don't bloom too early and get bit by a late frost (apricots, plums); the east side seems like a good place for things would ideally like to be in a cooler zone and that can tolerate the extra heat better with afternoon shade (ribes). But what can I plant on the west side of the house? What do you all think of building an arbor for hardy kiwis or muscadines so they grow 8-11 feet above the ground so that all their vegetation is up high enough to not really get shaded by my one-story house? Any other thoughts on what the other sides of the house/outbuildings/barn are good for?

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Comments (3)

trianglejohn
12 years ago
what direction are the winter winds? I have a row of Pineapple Guavas that can get badly wind burnt when the temps get very cold. This year I wrapped them up in Remay and they look a lot better. I have two windy months each year and the winds come ripping through the yard in two main directions which makes it hard to plan for. I've planted wind breaks along the north west side but it will be years before they are big enough or full enough to help out. The rest of the year my place it pretty calm but those two months of high winds do a surprising amount of damage.
john_in_sc
12 years ago
Shoot... The west side of my house is where I plant Heat Loving things... It doesn't get much morning sun - but it gets 150% Afternoon sun when you count the reflection off the house.....

It seems like that side bears the brunt of HOT summertime....

I really don't think you need to go high on any trellises... you will get plenty of sun and heat without any help.

If you were really worried about it - plant something tall like a Pecan tree to block the sun during the summer... They grow plenty tall. It will help with the electric bill - and give you some nuts in 5-10 years...

Thanks
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Thanks for all your great ideas. He lives in Yukon which is right outside Okla. City. We live in VA so don't get there often. Bradford Pear was NOT on my list. I personally don't like them. Y'all may have a different species of cedar out there than what we have here. Regardless, that one is out. I'll look at the smoke tree. Also the Kousa dogwood. We have those here and I hadn't thought of them. Not too sure he'd want a purple plum. I think that's what our neighbor has and they've grown so HUGE! They've had to have somebody come and thin them out also since they apparently are not deeply rooted so the weight on top was a problem with them beginning to lean. So many options! Good to know Crapes will do well on west side. I think he'd really like a red one of those, so we'll have to watch the species for the height. Again, thank you so much for all the info!!! Blessings to you, Donna Thanks for all the info on Crapes. Again, I guess the species will make a difference. I like the Redbud idea, but I think he wants something that will bloom. Crabapples I have heard generally have problems that they need to be sprayed. Trying to avoid as many chemicals in his yard as possible.
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cousinfloyd
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, John and John. I think I get wind from the same directions you do, TriangleJohn.
UpstateJohn, what fruit/nut trees/bushes benefit from extra heat in the summer? Figs and pomegranates again? Do you have any other suggestions for the niche you described? A big shade tree definitely sounds ideal for the house, but I also have outbuildings that I don't really care one way or another if they're shaded, and I also have some smaller spots that wouldn't accommodate a large tree like that.

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