Ask my sad, oozy peach tree. We didn’t know much about trees when we bought it. Big box hardware stores, as it turns out, aren’t the best go-to for perennials. They might look great in the pot, but not every species of peach tree, blueberry or strawberry will thrive once you put it in the ground.
The peach tree grew well, as did the pear we got the same year. Both were Mother’s Day gifts from my children (with a lot of help from my husband). The fact that they both have leaf curl and their fruit rots on the branch doesn’t matter, I love them. I’m keeping them. However, since then we’ve learned quite a bit about the subject and buy our trees online from a nursery that provides the specific varieties that do best in our region.
Sticking with peach trees as an example, here in northwest Missouri, Blazing Star and Contender are two varieties that do well. Alberta and Haven peaches are recommended for Colorado. Florida has its own variety while a cold-hardy variety named Reliance could be grown in northern states such as Minnesota.
Most of our perennial fruit producing plants aren’t native. Over the last several hundred years they have been grafted and grafted and grafted with different varieties to make ones that do well in the many different climates that exist in our country. Whether your area is hot or cold, wet or dry is only part of criteria to consider when choosing which type to plant. You also have to consider what fungus, insects, and bacteria might be in your area as well. For example, anywhere cedars grow, cedar rust can have a devastating effect on most varieties of apple trees.
Here’s the good news, you don’t have to be a botanist or a Master Gardner to get the right trees. Most states have an Extension program through one of the state’s universities. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 created a federally funded education program to benefit agriculture through land-grant colleges, which today are state universities. These programs work to educate the general public in all things growing. If your state has an Extension program, you can often find online guides to help you choose the best fruit cultivars and how to care for them. Most states also have a Master Gardner’s program with a phone number where you can talk to a real live human and ask any growing question you need help with. Master Gardner’s have to provide volunteer hours each year to maintain the status, so please, call them.
One word of caution however, any advice given to you has to reflect that of their Extension which often includes recommending the use of chemicals. If you have chosen to grow chemical free, you might have to do your own research for treating insect, fungus and bacterial issues.
Once you’ve made your list of the types of trees or fruit you want:
Find a reputable source.
Buy bare roots. Trees in a pot can have root damage, plus you don’t know how long they’ve been there, how many times they’ve dried out, etc. Bare roots are smaller and won’t do anything but grow leaves the first year, but in the long run you’re better off.
Follow the instructions for planting EXACTLY as written. They need to get in the ground quickly or will dry up and can die.
Mark them so you know where they are and what they are (yes, I’ve forgotten already what one of my apple trees is). If you cage them, pull the cage or build a bigger one as they grow.
Tire mulch, never volcano much… ever.
That’s it for now! There’s all kinds of other fun stuff to learn like pH levels, pruning (maybe we’ll do a video on this), and groovy ways to store fruit. In the meantime, planting season is here, so get planting!
Audrey L Elder Fourteen Acre Wood