Growing Fruit Trees: 8 Fundamentals Everyone Should Know

Growing fruit trees seems intimidating to many gardeners. Nothing gives you a sweeter reward than an apple tree or a peach tree. Whether you live in a cold region or a semi-tropical climate, a fruit tree grows in nearly every place on Earth. Growing fruit trees means that you do have to commit to taking proper care of it and pruning as necessary, which is at least once a year.

Before you dive in and purchase a fruit tree, the best thing to do is to figure out what works well in your area. Your local extension office will have ideas about what varieties grow best in your area. Make sure to talk to local gardeners and see what they recommend. You don’t want to pick a fruit tree that will die quickly or be destroyed by pests in the area.

The Types of Fruit Trees You Can Grow

You might have an idea about what types of fruit trees you can grow based on the u-pick farms in your area. For example, in Ohio, you can find apple orchards everywhere. So, let’s look at the different types of fruit trees you can grow.

1. Apples

The most popular fruit tree that people grow in their backyard is apple trees. They adjust to most climates and they aren’t complicated to grow. All you need is a soil pH level of 6.5, but most trees will adjust to more acidic soil as well. Just make sure the soil is fertile and well-draining because apple trees are heavy feeders.

Apple trees grow well in cold-hardiness zones 4 to 7. You can find some varieties that grow in even colder climates! No matter which ones you pick, you do want to make sure that you’re growing two to three compatible pollinators to get a good harvest.

2. Peaches

Growing peaches can be hard work… you need to have the right location and a plan for preventative pest management. Pests love peach trees!

Peach trees adapt best in zones 5 to 8, so they like some cold and heat but not extremes in either direction. You can find specialized varieties that work in warmer or colder temperatures.

Unfortunately, because of the pest issues, most peach trees are short-lived. You’ll probably need to plant new trees every 8 to 10 years.

3. Plums

These trees produce fruit randomly because the trees lose their crop to late freezes or diseases. During the good years, you can get a heavy crop of delicious plums that range from light green to dark purple. Plums grow best in zones 4 to 8, but make sure you add at least one compatible variety nearby for proper pollination.

4. Pears

If you live in zones 4 to 8, you can grow pear trees. They are a good choice for new fruit growers, but they aren’t as cold tolerant as apples. However, they’re easier to grow organically, and that matters for a lot of people!

No matter where you live or the variety that you grow, pears do taste better when you harvest them right before they fully ripen. A popular pick for zones 4 to 7 is Honeysweet, and those living a bit more south in zones 5 to 8 love Asian pears.

5. Cherries

Cherries are expensive in the store, so why not grow cherries in your backyard? Cherries range in color from yellow to almost black, and they’re broken up into two different types: compact sweet varieties and sour (or pie) cherries.

Cherries grow best in zones 4 to 7, requiring fertile soil with a near-neutral pH soil level. You want to make sure the soil is thoroughly raked to provide excellent air circulation.

6. Citrus Fruits

If you live in zones 8b to 10, you can grow citrus fruits, including kumquat, Mandarin orange, satsuma, and lemons. Fragrant oils in citrus leaves and rinds help to protect your trees from pests, but they aren’t cold-hardy. You may have to occasionally cover the trees with blankets if the temperatures drop too low.

How to Plant Fruit Trees the Right Way

If you live in zones 3 to 7, the best time to plant fruit trees is in the early spring once the soil starts to thaw. During this time, the fruit trees are starting to emerge from their winter dormancy, so it’s the best time to plant because their roots are rapidly growing new roots. If you live in zones 8 to 10, plant new trees in February.

Before you plant, you have to pick the right place to put the fruit trees. The best spot is a sunny site with fertile, well-draining soil. Fruit trees need at least six hours of full sunlight each day to grow strong, healthy fruit. You need to make sure the spot that you pick isn’t shaded by your home or other taller trees. Try to imagine the fruit tree at full size.

To plant a fruit tree, follow these six steps:

Dig a planting hole that’s twice the size of the root ball of the tree. Add compost to the soil if necessary because it helps to loosen the soil and provide better drainage. It helps to make space for the roots of the tree to grow.
Spread the roots in the hole carefully, and fill it back with the soil. Make sure that you set the trees at the depth that they were at the nursery. If you are planning to plant more than one tree, you need to space them at least 20 feet apart.
After you spread the soil, water well, and install a trunk guard of hardware cloth. You can also try a spiral plastic over the lowest section of the trunk. Doing so protects the tree from insects, rodents, and other damage.
Stake the tree loosely to hold it there properly. If you’re in an area with strong winds, you can use two sticks on either side of the trunk. Then, use a strong piece of cloth to hold the trunk to the stick. Make sure to leave space for it to grow!
Mulch over the root zone with wood chips, sawdust, or other slow-rotting mulch. Mulching serves a few purposes. It helps to keep the moisture in the soil, which is needed for proper growth. Also, it helps to snuff out weeds that are trying to compete for nutrients and water in the soil.
For the first two years, you need to water well, especially if there is a period of drought or extremely high temperatures.

8 Tips for Growing Fruit Trees

Now that your fruit trees are planted, a little care is needed ensure they thrive. Here are some fundamental tips:

One year after planting, rake back the mulch to fertilize the fruit trees. Then, add a balanced organic fertilizer on the soil surface. Afterward, add a wood-based mulch to make the mulch about 4-inches deep.
Pruning is important for fruit trees! Pruning provides the leaves and fruit access to light and fresh air. Some trees can even be trained to grow up fences. Remove dead wood and thin out branches that cross each other.
Take special care with your new fruit tree. The first year is the most delicate and proper care is important. The care you give your tree in the first few years determine its shape, strength, and lifespan.
Mulching your tree keeps them healthy and productive. You should mulch your trees after planting, every spring and fall thereafter.
You need to fertilize your tree with a high-quality fertilizer throughout the growing season. Doing so helps to encourage strong roots and a plentiful harvest.
Pest and diseases are often a problem for fruit trees. So, before you plant your tree, you need to do some research to figure out what pests and diseases are most common in the variety that you selected.
Consider a grafted fruit tree. Apples, plums, pears, and other fruit trees can be sold from trees that have been grafted so that they grow the best-tasting fruit. You can grow fruit trees from seeds, but it’s rather hard, and there is no guarantee that it will produce delicious tasting fruits. Sticking with grafted fruit trees ensure that you get the fruit that you want to eat.
Protect the tree from sunburn. If you live in an area with a lot of strong sunshine, you might want to try painting the trunk with a solution of half white latex paint and half water. It sort of acts like sunscreen when you don’t rub it in all the way.

Go Grow Your Own Fruit Trees

Growing fruit trees helps you save money, and you can grow better quality fruits than you can find in the stores. One dwarf apple tree can produce 3 to 4 bushels of apples; that’s almost 120 pounds! So, why not give growing fruits trees a try? Nothing is sweeter than homegrown fruit.