There’s just something so special about being able to pick off and eat the fruit directly from a tree in your garden. You don’t even need to have an orchard to do this; those living in small spaces can create a thriving garden full of productive fruit trees and plants right on their balcony, porch, or backyard.
It all depends on the kind of fruit tree that you plant. You can take a look at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map to see which zone you fall into. From there, you can determine which kinds of fruit tree will thrive in the climate of your area.
Not all fruit trees are the same, though. Some – apricots, peaches, and sour cherries, for instance – are self-pollinating, while others – apples, pears, and plums – require a pollinator. A pollinator is simply a nearby tree of the same kind that will ensure pollination.
Yes, you can easily grow fruits at home; the key is finding the right tree for your space.
Apple Trees
There is an apple tree for every size of home garden. These trees are among the most popular and hardy to plant, whether they’re in a container pot or small plot of land in your backyard. Some dessert apple varieties are Fuji, Gala, and Honeycrisp. Apple trees require cross-pollination in order to bear fruit, so make sure you get more than one tree for your home.
Cherry Trees
Cherry trees are very beautiful, very low maintenance, flowering trees, with a bonus of edible fruit. Some types of cherries, like the Compact Stella and sour cherries, are self-fertile, so you only need to have one tree to ensure a harvest. You just need to be diligent about warding off the birds that will surely flock to the fruit. It can take a cherry tree about four years to start producing tasty cherries, but the wait will be worth it.
Plum Trees
Plum trees, with their compact size, are a perfect fit for small areas. These trees can deliver abundant crops with very little maintenance. They can adapt to a wide range of conditions. Beautiful trees that yield delicious fruit, most plum varieties require a pollinator, so you need to plant at least two trees so that they can bear fruit. Make sure that the variety of plum tree you choose works well with your climate.
Fig Trees
For a taste of the Mediterranean, you may want to get a fig tree for your home. These trees grow with very few demands. They crop best when their roots are restrained, so fig trees are perfect for container gardening. The incredibly succulent fruits begin to form in the autumn and will be ready for harvest the following summer. Like cherries, though, it will be worth the wait.
Fruit trees are a great addition to both your garden and your dining table. Make sure that they are always in tip-top shape by getting tree service in Salt Lake City if you need help getting them to thrive.
