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!
Everyone always says, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Okay, but what if your lemon tree flowers but no fruit grows, what should you make then? I don’t live in a warm climate, so my personal experience growing lemon trees is indoors which is supposed to be easier, but it’s certainly not a walk […]
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.
Before I get into all the reasons grafted fruit trees are a good option for your garden, I’d like to talk about comic books. In the late 1970s, DC Comics introduced a high school student, Ronnie Raymond, and a decorated physicist, Dr. Martin Stein. During a nuclear accident, the two became fused, creating the powerful metahuman, Firestorm.
Maybe it’s just because I live in the Northeast, but to me, there’s something magical about citrus trees. Big orange trees in Florida mean I’m on vacation, while a little lime or lemon tree in the front window seems to make a home cozy and warm. Unfortunately, one thing you’ve probably happened upon if you […]
When P.T. Barnum said there’s a sucker born every minute, I don’t think he was referring to fruit tree suckers. But darned if it doesn’t seem that way sometimes. Between those and water sprouts, there are days when I feel like I’m dealing with them every minute. Okay, that might be an exaggeration. Still, fruit […]
If you have a fruit tree or two in your garden, you may have noticed something called premature fruit drop. Depending on the type of fruit, this might happen several times during the season. Understandably, this can be concerning. Seeing your beautiful fruit suddenly falling to the ground, even though everything seems fine. There are […]
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.
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.
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.
