skip to main content

Gulf Coast Gardening

Fruit trees in Fort Bend County

16 years ago

I live in western Fort Bend Conuty and would like to plant some kind of fruit-bearing trees in my backyard. They would be on the West side of the house, in well-drained soil, with little wind protection except for a 6 foot wood fence. My wife has her heart set on Lime and/or Avocado trees. Any suggestions, comments or tips?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

burntplants
16 years ago
I'm in East Ft. Bend (Katy).

I had great luck with Sunquat--the tree is constantly covered with little limes and started producing fruit when it was only knee-high.
Mexican (Key) limes are also supposed to do well around here.
Satsuma mandarin oranges do great, too.
Citrus need to be protected (blankets) from hard freezes, but if the tree is too big for a blanket it's usually OK.

Avocados grow around here, but don't usually produce fruit.
There was an article in Texas Gardener magazine a year or two ago about a guy trying to raise avocados, but I don't know how it worked out.

Figs, persimmons, loquats, and pears are also really easy (no spray, no fuss, stick 'em in the ground and wait for fruit.)
0
ltcollins1949
16 years ago
The above are very good suggestions. You also might want to give the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners a call and ask for some suggestions.
0
Related Discussions
Orange County Tree suggestions for front yard (criteria included)
Q
Comments (15)
I was admiring a pair of Arbutus a couple of weeks ago. They were planted over ground cover so fruit drop and bird poop were not a problem. Crape myrtle, on the other hand seem to mildew badly for me, here in Orange. Of course, my favorite tree is probably not a good choice, but if you have the right conditions, a coast live oak is a fine tree. When we moved into our house in February, 2005 I almost pulled up a "weed" in the parking strip which was actually a newly sprouted acorn that still had seed leaves and only four true leaves. I left it alone and shut off the sprinklers to the juniper in that strip (not so good for the junipers). By early spring, 2011 it had grown into a bush about 6' tall. The city came out to trim the sweet gums in our neighborhood about that time. One of the sweet gums in the other parking strip was diseased and planted too close to the sewer line. However, before it could be cut down, the city forester had to come out and sign off on the plan. Well indeed he did the next day. I was sure that my oak would be toast once he saw the tree growing in my (really the city's) parking strip. To my amusement, however, he took one look at the oak bush, pulled his pruning shears out of a pocket, and limbed it up into a tree. He didn't mind the contraband tree as long as it wasn't badly grown. My baby had grown up. It's actually about 8' tall this year and starting to look like a tree. I'm prejudiced, but I think it's beautiful. There are no other oaks in the neighborhood so it's origin is a mystery.
...See More
New Fruit Tree Place - surinam cherry
Q
Comments (25)
Thomas I have or had the fruits above and here is my opinion, which can be different for another person because tastes are not the same. Raja Puri, is a little bit sub-acid banana that I grew before, the varieties that I like are either sweet or for cooking. If you growing for looks this one can take the cold. The red Jamaican I had it fruiting only 1 time in 3 years, I love the taste but is not productive when we get hit by the cold. The surinam cherry, I don't really like the taste it leaves like an aftertaste for me, it is nice as a care free shrub and the fruit is for the birds, it finished fruiting at my house. And we are in blueberry picking season, I highly recommend to visit any of the u-pick places and eat berries as much as you want to. I also have my own which are the Sunshine Blue, Emerald and a pollinator that I don't remember the name. We are coming to fig season, all my figs are loaded... There are a lot of good fruits out there, it all depends on your taste.:) Silvia
...See More
Recommended Fruit Tree Varieties for OK
Q
Comments (19)
Ada, I would have faith in anything Sooner Plant Farm grows as long as their own info on their website indicates it is cold-hardy to zones 6 and 7. Even though Sooner Plant farm ships nationally, I believe they started out growing for the Oklahoma market and then branched out as word spread about the quality of their plants. I've never seen or heard one single complaint about their plants or their customer service and that is rare nowadays. Google and look for reviews and you'll see that they have only postitive ones, or at least they did the last time I checked on them. As for S.S.E., the yearbook is the best entertainment in town. Who needs movies or DVDs or TV shows or music when you can read endlessly about heirloom varieties. I don't graft and have no intention of learning. There's only so many hours in a day, and I am already overcommitted. The best source of knowledge I know with regards to grafting is Scott. Well, Randy probably grafts too, but I am not sure. If you really want to learn about grafting, post a request for grafting info on its own thread so people can see it in the subject box, and I am sure that any experienced grafters we have here will respond. I've toyed with the idea of grafting tomato plants onto Maxifort root stock to see if I get improved disease-resistance or more vigorous plants, but there again, it comes down to how many hours there are in a day (not enough of them). Dawn
...See More
Looking for good garden centers in Fort Bend County
Q
Comments (14)
Donaho's is one or two blocks south of Westheimer on Dairy Ashford. It is a small nursery but does have lots of large house plants and tropicals. I have been to most of the nurseries in Houston, but recently moved to Rosenberg/Sugarland area. My faavorite nursery used to be Arbor Garte in Tomball, But The Enchanted Gardens is much nicer. Someone told me there was an Enchanted Gardens also. I haven't been there yet, but I intend to find it.
...See More
Related Professionals
Fort Lee Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Parole Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Mount Wilson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Peabody Landscape Contractors · Bedford Landscape Contractors · Bowie Landscape Contractors · East Lake-Orient Park Landscape Contractors · Gurnee Landscape Contractors · Lemoore Landscape Contractors · Natick Landscape Contractors · Pleasant Grove Landscape Contractors · San Pedro Landscape Contractors · Selden Landscape Contractors · Seven Hills Landscape Contractors · Jacksonville Swimming Pool Builders
txsmallfry
16 years ago
January & February are 'fruit tree sales' season around here. There are several 'sales' this time of year. There are several avocado, lime, and lemon trees that will do well in this area. These tree sales only sell trees that do well in this area. I went to the Urban Harvest sale a couple of weeks ago and they had several varieties of avocado trees. Do some research and find one of these sales. They are in galveston, brazoria county, montgomery county and others. Good luck.
0
beachplant
15 years ago
There are a couple of great nurseries up by you with varieties of both lime and avocado that will do great for you. The rare fruit growers meet not too far from you also. Check the Tx garden formum-Ed posts the days there, maybe on the exchange page.
JnR and Caldwell nurseries. You can google them both.
Tally HO!
0
wally_1936
15 years ago
Mexican Type Avocados are suppose to produce in about 2 years and are a hardy tree. I understand they only grow to about 8' and aren't not good for commerical use as they are too perishable but great for home use. They are sold at the Fort Bend county sale every years but they are suppose to be available in many nurseries in this area.
0

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

TREES Great Design Plant: Sabal Palm Enchants in Balmy Sites

By Steve Asbell

Towering and tolerant, this tree blends in, stands out and happily stars in vacation photos

GARDENING GUIDES Vegetables and Flowers Mix in Beautiful Edible Gardens

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Ornamentals, meet your edible garden mates. We know you'll get along just beautifully

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

SALVAGE Reinvent It: An Eclectic Texas Garden Grows From Creative Salvaging

By Becky Harris

Teardown pieces and upcycled finds turn a next-door lot into a garden brimming with vegetables and originality

FALL GARDENING Houzz Call: Show Us Your Autumn Views

By Annie Thornton

Share your pictures of fall foliage and decor in the Comments. Your photos may be featured in an upcoming story!

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 15 Great Ideas for a Lawn-Free Yard

By Laura Gaskill

End the turf war for good with hardscaping, native grasses and ground covers that save water and are easier to maintain

FALL GARDENING Houzz Call: Show Us Your Fall Color!

By Annie Thornton

Post pictures of your fall landscape — plants, leaves, wildlife — in the Comments section. Your photo could appear in an upcoming article

Sponsored

More Discussions

January/Feb Hello, What are your 2025 Garden Plans?

1