Here are nine of the best types of fruit to grow in your very own fruit garden, better known as an orchard. October is a great month to start a garden with blueberries since they are best planted in the spring or fall. If you wait until the fall, you may score good end-of-season sales on bushes, possibly as early as September. In cold winter climates, grow highbush blueberries, such as the ‘Bluecrop’ cultivar. Gardeners in mild climates should opt for either rabbiteye or southern highbush varieties. You can also grow blueberries in containers. Just be sure to cover your plants with netting to protect them from birds once the fruit arrives.
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10; varies according to varietySun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, acidic, medium to wet moisture, well-draining
Strawberry plants like to spread via runners. But for the best fruit production, limit the runners to just a few plants and prune the rest. Also, pinch off the blossoms in a plant’s first season to prevent them from fruiting. This will allow it to put its energy toward developing a healthy root system, which will significantly increase its output the next season. Finally, expect to replace or rejuvenate your strawberry plant every three to five years.
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9; varies according to varietySun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-draining
The plants do require annual pruning to keep them productive, but it is a quick job. The goal of pruning is to thin the plants enough that light and air can reach all parts. This benefits growth and helps to prevent disease.
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8; varies according to varietySun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, slightly acidic, moist, well-drainingColor Variations: Raspberry fruits are pale to dark red and blackberries can be dark purple to black.
Check with your local extension office to learn about the best grape varieties for your area, and if indeed spring is the best time (it usually is) to plant them since the soil is workable. And be sure to note whether a variety is best for eating or winemaking. Most grape varieties need a sunny location with rich soil that has good drainage and air circulation to prevent disease.
USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9; varies according to varietySun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drainingColor Variations: Many white, green, purple, and blue grape varieties are available.
Most apple trees prefer to be planted in early spring in the North and fall in the South. You’ll need two different apple tree varieties for pollination. To save space, you can select trees with multiple varieties grafted onto one trunk, or opt for a small columnar tree that can be grown in a container. Plus, for easier care, or if you have limited space, consider the dwarf varieties.
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9; varies according to varietySun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drainingColor Variations: Many green and red fruit varieties are available.
Prune your cherry tree in the winter while it is still dormant, and fertilize it in the early spring. Moreover, these trees aren’t very drought tolerant. So ensure that they get enough watering or rainfall—at least weekly or more—during hot weather.
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8; varies according to varietySun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
Plant a peach tree from the nursery in the late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant. These trees do require some pruning to keep the branches productive and at a manageable height. Thinning young trees help them to produce smaller crops of large peaches, rather than heavy crops of tiny peaches. Peach trees are typically pruned into an open V, with three to five main branches that allow light and air to hit the center.
USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9; varies by varietySun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, loamy, medium moisture, well-draining
Plant a fig tree during its dormancy period which occurs in the early spring or late fall. If you choose to grow your fig tree in a container and move it indoors for the winter, keep the container small. The more confined the roots are, the smaller the top of the tree will remain. It will be much easier to move, and you will still get plenty of figs.
USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9; varies according to varietySun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
Plant your melons in spring after the danger of frost has passed for the season. Water regularly as they grow and become established. Then, once the fruits start to appear, you can back off a bit on watering.
USDA Growing Zones: Grown as annuals in zones 2 to 11Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, loamy, moist, well-drainingColor Variations: Fruit can be red-, pink-, orange-, or yellow-fleshed.
