Fruit is healthy to eat, but can be expensive to buy. Plus, a lot of conventionally grown fruit can be laden with pesticides. So why not avoid the chemicals and the high cost of fruit by growing it right in your backyard?
But before planting an orchard full of peaches and grapes, consider that some fruit are easier to grow than others. Here’s a list for beginners of some of the easier backyard fruits to grow successfully.
Strawberries
Strawberries are easy to grow and come in many different varieties, including ever-bearing strawberries, which allow harvesting the same year it’s planted (typically strawberries only produce the year after they are planted), and June-bearing types. You can plant strawberries any time of the year (except winter). Strawberries can also be grown in containers if space is a problem. But cover the crop – or you may be feeding the neighborhood birds, squirrels and rabbits. Netting or chicken wire works well to protect strawberries.
Raspberries
Raspberries come in a wide variety of colors – from red and black to purple and even yellow. For a traditional red color, choose the “Heritage” or “Caroline” varieties, which are dependable producers. For a black raspberry try “Jewel” or “Bristol.” For yellow, pick “Fall Gold” or “Anne.”
Blackberries
Blackberries come in both thorny and thornless varieties; a dependable thornless variety worth a try includes “Apache.” Some of the newer varieties, such as “Prime Jim” and “Prime Jan” will produce fruit in their first year of growth (most varieties only produce in the second year after planting).
Blueberries
These are a little trickier to grow since the soil needs to be kept acidic for a successful harvest (the pH should be between 4.5 and 5.5). Since just one blueberry bush will not produce any fruit, plant more than one variety to encourage cross pollination and keep the plants producing. Patience is also key: blueberries only produce fruit in their third year after planted. The most popular varieties of blueberries to try include: “Earliblue,” “Bluecrop,” and “Coville.”
Apples
Apple trees are easy to grow and maintain. But don’t buy a variety based on what’s in the grocery store, since cultivars such as “Honeycrisp” or “Red Delicious” are difficult to keep insect and pest-free. Instead, visit a local nursery and ask for cultivars that are good for growing in your area; some good cultivars include “Freedom,” “Liberty,” and “Enterprise.” Don’t expect to be making apple pies from your apple tree the first year; unless you purchase a 3 or 4 year old tree, it will take several years until fruit can be picked.
Sources:
Ohio State University, Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, “Fruit Trees Require More Care But Worth the Effort”
Mother Earth News, “Grow Berries in Your Back Yard”
Join the Conversation