Growing Your Dream Backyard Orchard: A Guide to Fruit Trees

Have you ever dreamed of walking into your backyard and picking fresh, perfectly ripe fruit right off your own trees? There's something magical about biting into a peach you've grown yourself – the flavor is incomparable to anything you'll find at the supermarket. Whether you're fantasizing about a mini-orchard or just want to grow your family's favorite fruits, I'm here to share my experience and help you get started on your fruit-growing journey.

Choosing Your Perfect Fruit Tree

Let's talk about picking the right trees for your space. This is where a little homework pays off big time! You'll want to consider your local microclimate, the space you have available, and of course, what fruits you love to eat. While apples, pears, peaches, plums, and citrus are all popular choices, each variety has its own personality and needs. Take time to research things like chill hours (yes, fruit trees need their beauty sleep!), whether they need a pollination partner, how well they handle freezes, and their full-grown size. Think about how you'll use your harvest too – will you be snacking, canning, or baking up storms?

My Favorite Fruit Trees to Grow in Texas:

Here is a list of fruit trees I grow in my backyard.

• Potted Citrus (Improved Meyer Lemon, Valencia Orange,Persian Lime to name a few)
• Figs (Texas Ever-bearing, Celeste)
• Peaches (Tropic Snow, May Pride)
• Plums (Gulf Beauty, Santa Rosa)
• Avocados (Joey poncho)
• Pomegranates (e.g., Wonderful, Azadi)
• Bananas (e.g., Blue Java, Dwarf Cavendish)
• Dwarf Mulberry (My kids’ and all their friends’ favorite)
• Guava & Mango (I do not recommend for beginners)

Where to buy fruit trees?

Here's my insider's guide to tree shopping:

• Master Gardeners' Sales: These annual events are treasure troves of locally-adapted varieties. Check with your County's Agri extension – it's where I find many of my gems!
• Local Nurseries: Your neighborhood experts often have the best advice and varieties suited to your area.
• Bare Root Options: If you're budget-conscious and don't mind giving extra TLC in the first year, bare root trees can be a great choice.
• Big Box Stores: Consider these your last resort. While you might find occasional deals, many varieties aren't ideal for local conditions. Do your homework if you go this route!

Planting Fruit Trees

Before you plant your fruit tree, prepare your planting site by digging a hole twice the size of your root ball. Save your native soil to fill back the hole after planting. Before planting the tree, add good quality compost and organic fertilizer to the hole (check the soil level on the base to ensure you plant at a proper depth) and fill it back with the dug out native soil. Water your tree thoroughly and stake as needed.

Care and Maintenance

Fruit trees need consistent watering and fertilizing the first year until they are established. Once established, a regular fertilizing schedule will help with flowering and fruit setting. Avoid pruning the first year, but fruit trees require pruning to prevent disease and to grow abundant produce.Common

Challenges and Solutions

One of the most common challenges I see with urban or suburban fruit tree growers is trying to grow incompatible varieties without doing proper research. Most apples and stone fruits require 500-800 chill hours for setting fruit. Finding a variety that is suitable to produce in your area is a great start. Another challenge I see is trying to grow tropical fruit trees/citrus varieties in an area with yearly freezes. Finding frost tolerant varieties or planning your freeze protection strategies in advance could help you save your trees and get abundant fruits from your trees.

With careful planning, you can grow your own fruit trees, and it is rewarding. By selecting the right varieties for your climate, properly planting and maintaining your trees, and addressing challenges, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, flavorful fruit from your backyard. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, watching your fruit trees thrive and bear fruit is worth the effort.