Looking for some ideas on which plants and fruit trees to grow
Ashley M.
6 years ago
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Comments (8)
CA Kate z9
6 years agouncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
6 years agoRelated Discussions
would like to plant some fruit trees...limited space
Comments (8)I'm in Rocky Mountain foothill Z5a, which would be pretty different from Midwest 5. My hit list: "Glenora" grape. The only thing fruiting this year after the terrible cold snap of early February. Produces second-rate fruit for a couple of years before it gets going. "Polly" white peach. Cold snap killed the blossoms this year, but otherwise its in fine shape. Its available as a special order from Bay Laurel Nursery. It was slow to come into production, but faultless once it did. "Redhaven" yellow peach. A little marginal for my area, but it seems to almost have a will to produce fruit for you. Its widely available, and very high quality. I am pretty sure you can get one and plant it this weekend. "Rosy Gage" plum is shaping up to be a VERY good plum. A little shy bearing so far, but its still a new plum, and I had pollination issues to solve. I have an idea once it hits maturity it will produce well in a good year. Pollination is an issue with Euro plums more than other trees. You have to make sure you have the right combination. "Castleton Plum?" My fall planted [a mistake in z5] "Castleton" died in the Big Freeze of course. I'm not terribly satisfied with the pollinators I have for "Rosy Gage" I would double check to make sure it cross-pollinates with "Rosy Gage" If it does I would go for it. This is in the realm of speculation and reputation rather than experience, however. Apricots: If you live in an area where you can even occasionally get a crop, you should grow an adapted apricot. There is just no comparison to a store-bought apricot. None. Furthermore, apricots if it grows well in your area are extraordinarily attractive trees that deserve a high-profile spot in your landscape. I like the taste of Wilson Delicious from Stark's best of all. 'Moorpark' works OK too. But as I mentioned, in my area the crop is an afterthought. Sorry, not enough luck with apples or pears to make a recommendation. As I mentioned, if you live Back East, these recommendations don't mean much....See MorePlanting fruit trees too close on purpose? Good idea?
Comments (5)Steve, I don't think it would really be a problem. Both species are naturally understory trees, and should be used to some competition from other plants. In the remnant of woodlands behind my house (what little was left after developers got through putting in McMansions), there are several large, mature serviceberry trees growing in the understory that seem perfectly healthy, even though they are fairly deeply shaded in the summer. I can't answer the question about persimmons growing in woodlands, since they don't seem to grow here in SE Michigan, even though in theory they are native. I suspect it's not a problem. As far as the "splat" of the fruit, well, yes, they do have that problem to some extent. It depends a lot upon the surface they are falling on, and how soft they are -- colder weather makes them more firm, and less likely to be damaged as they fall. I've found overall that very few of them are ever totally ruined, although some of them are damaged to a greater or lesser extent, usually ruptured open on one side, and need to be used rapidly to avoid spoilage. Dennis SE Michigan...See MoreNeed some advice about growing fruit trees in Austin, Texas.
Comments (4)howdy reed, i'm a little ways from austin. & i've only been doing this 3 years. but figs, jujube's, persimmons, asian pears, & european pears should thrive there with almost zero care. just be sure to get fireblight resistant pears, anything from womack nursery will work, just google them i dont have experience with peaches, plums, etc; but when i google "tamu peaches" texas a&m says they can be grown if i'm willing to follow a spraying routine, & if i'm not willing to spray not to bother. apples also need spraying, & your soil has to be free of cotton root rot, which many areas in the cotton south have if you use the search function at the top of the board & look for "mountainman" & "scraper" you'll read from some fig & pear experts in austin...See Morewish to grow some fruit trees but I don't know what to get
Comments (10)Apricots would grow well in that area. Also almonds. Mulberry may be a possibility, but I'd do some research first to make sure you get a good tasting variety. (Black is usually tastier than red or white) A fig tree would be a good idea. (But be aware the trees can get messy with all the fruit dropping and rotting on the ground if you don't pick them) A walnut tree, but don't plant it close to anything else because walnut trees release a substance into the soil to make it difficult for other plants to grow nearby. (Be aware the downside is that a large walnut tree can attract loud flocks of crows) There are many other fruits that you could grow but these are the ones that will grow well where you live....See MoreCA Kate z9
6 years agolgteacher
6 years agostanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoCA Kate z9
6 years agoNil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
6 years ago
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