I love carrots. They also disappoint me a lot. They’re some of the most challenging vegetables to grow in your garden. They’re also among the easiest fruits and vegetables to grow. That doesn’t make sense at first glance. It’s complicated.
Category: Growing Fruits & Berries
In the articles below, learn everything you need to know about growing fruits and berries. Discover the easiest fruit trees and berry bushes to plant and grow, along with hacks for keeping them alive and producing delicious fruit.
Did you know there are around 2,500 varieties of apples that grow in the U.S.? You certainly wouldn’t if you’ve only gone to the grocery store. There are varieties of apples that are coveted by chefs, like the heirloom Esopus Spitzenburg, but good luck finding that at the supermarket. So, why not grow apples and other fruits and berries yourself?
No doubt, fresh fruit, plucked from a tree, is magical. Picking that sun-ripened, juicy peach right off the branch and biting into the soft, fuzzy fruit is the essence of a hot summer day. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could do that? But trees take years to grow, right? Not necessarily! There are fast-growing fruit trees that bear fruit in as little as two years, and that’s why fertilizer exists!
If you want to start growing fruits and berries at home, keep in mind that critters may find their way into your yard too. Just about every animal loves fresh fruit and they will come knocking when you look like you’re serving a buffet. But don’t worry, there are many ways to protect your fruit trees from deer and other animals.
In the articles below, we share everything you need to know about growing fruits and berries. You can learn more about the delicious art of fruit and berry gardening in our How to Grow a Vegetable Garden: 10 Things Every Gardener Needs to Know Before Starting a Food Garden freebie. Enjoy!
What’s that? Growing cantaloupe vertically? I get it. Vertical gardening is a super way to get more out of your space, and it’s a fantastic idea for fruits and vegetables like peas or beans. Cantaloupe, though? Seems like they would be too big and heavy to grow vertically. Spoiler alert: Growing cantaloupe vertically is very much doable.
When I hear the word “clone” I either think of Dolly the sheep or binge-watching Battlestar Gallactica. But cloning fruit trees is neither of those things and it shouldn’t be feared. In fact, farmers and gardeners have been cloning fruit trees for centuries as an easy way to jumpstart a fruit tree’s life. Sure, you […]
As much as I love vegetable gardening, there’s something truly magical about having a few fruit trees in your yard. A fresh apple or peach or cherry straight from the tree is simply unbeatable. Like all plants, though, fruit trees need certain nutrients to thrive, and over time, they can deplete the soil of these nutrients.
I’ve always been fascinated by growing lemons and other citrus fruits. You can’t go wrong with a tree full of bright yellow bulbs of sunshine. The thing is, you can’t ignore climate when it comes to planting citrus trees.
If you’re thinking about growing elderberries, you’re in good company. Elderberries have a long history of medicinal and culinary uses. Some legends say that the Norse fairy mother lives in the elderberry roots or that the elderberry can ward off evil magic if you plant it near your doors and windows. Across medieval Europe, people believed the elderberry could cure rheumatism, gout, and skin problems.
I’ve always loved the idea of walking into my backyard and picking an apple or some cherries right off the tree. It seems so idyllic, like a ray of sunshine will illuminate the tree and the birds will sing and it will be the most wonderful fruit I’ve ever had. I think we all know that’s not quite how it works. One thing I didn’t count on, however, was protecting fruit trees from deer.
There are a lot of good reasons to think about growing a pomegranate tree. Whether you decide to grow it from a seed or buy a sapling, the pomegranate is a relatively easy tree to care for as long as you live in the right climate. The stunning flowers attract hummingbirds, the fruit is packed with health benefits, and it tastes like paradise.
One of the joys of living in New England is going to a local orchard in October and picking apples right off the tree. And contrary to what the supermarkets would have you believe, there are dozens of varieties of apples and they can taste amazingly different. Even though I love apples, I admit, I’ve always felt a little jealous of friends in warmer climates who can walk into their back yard and pick an orange, lemon, or even a banana.
Fruit trees are the high-school overachiever of the garden. They’re the “4.0 GPA, flawless skin, all AP classes, volunteers at a nursing home” type. Flowering fruit trees are the darling of any garden because they do so much! They produce delicious fruit to be snacked on, baked, frozen, or canned. They also provide shade for you and your shade-loving vegetables. Not to mention that flowering fruit trees provide gorgeous and often delicious smelling blossoms ahead of their fruiting period.