My Urban Farmer
Your Subtitle text
Plant Edible TreesGrowing fruit has numerous rewards. Besides the tremendous amount of satisfaction you get from eating something you grew yourself, fruit from your yard is as local as food can be and having total control over its growth insures that it is completely organic. Food from the grocery store can't match the flavor or nutritional content of the fruit that comes fresh from the tree. For centuries families grew their own food and only in recent times have we relied solely on grocery stores for our produce and become disconnected from our food sources. With the price of food going up and shortages in the world's food supply, it will become increasingly more important to grow at least some of our own food. Growing fruit can be intimidating, but success often times depends on the initial planting of the fruit, location, and variety. I select those that not only are well-suited to our climate but also are easy to care for, reliable, and are seldom bothered by pests. This is where My Urban Farmer comes in, making sure that your fruit is set up properly from the beginning and you will be sure to have fruit growing success for years to come and possibly even a lifetime.
Apples are the most popular fruit tree. They are also very versatile as they can be grown as a single tree, from a small bush to a full size standard, grown in pots, against a fence, or as an espalier form on a trellis. Watching an apple tree go through its yearly cycle, from pink tip to white blossom, fruiting and then its winter serenity is something special every year. You can grow apples in any size yard.Usually fruits by second year.
Pears are very similar to apple's culture as well as appearance, however some might say that pear blossoms are even more appealing than the apple tree. The pear is delicious eaten fresh and is also one of the best fruits for canning. Pears are a good fruit to grow if you have an area of poor drainage as they can stand heavier and wetter soils than most other fruit trees.Usually fruits by second year.
Plums are probably the easiest fruit tree to grow. They are extremely hardy, require very little pruning once established and are seldom bothered by pests. The plum trees that I plant are self-fruitful and grow more as a bush than a tree, taking up minimal space and allowing them to fit into tight spaces. Plums fruit earlier (ave. Aug.) than apples and pears and deliver an abundance of fruit that can be eaten fresh, canned, or dried for later. Fruits second year.
Filberts are so well-suited to the Northwest's climate that nearly 100% of the commercial filberts grown in the U.S. come from Oregon and Washington. Filberts fit a garden dietary niche that can not be replaced by any other fruit or vegetable that you can grow. Filberts are planted as an edible hedge making it fit nicely into most yards. A display of catkins adds a nice visual bonus in the wintertime. Fruits second or third year.
Figs look exotic but are right at home in the Northwest, often bearing two crops a year. Figs can inspire bragging rights as many people have no idea they are productive here and will be surprised to see the figs that you have grown. Fig trees are great for those who are weary of pruning because even the most misguided pruner can not hurt them. Fig trees must be planted properly or they will not fruit. I have seen many fig trees in Portland that have no fruit because of improper planting.Fruits first or second year.
Raspberries are easy to grow and can be harvested all summer long when several varieties are planted. Raspberries can be grown in a large pot on your deck or as a hedge, but are at their best in a bed with a trellis system, which will provide you with enough raspberries for the entire neighborhood.Fruits first or second year.
Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to find a location to grow. They are easily assimilated into the landscape as they can be potted, grown as a hedge row, or just planted around existing plants. The initial investment of installing blueberries should pay for itself a thousand times over because they provide fruit for 60 years.Fruits first year.
Strawberries are so easy to grow they practically grow themselves. They can be grown in pots, hanging baskets or used as borders, but are best in a raised garden bed. Strawberries, Raspberries and Blueberries can be enjoyed in multiple seasons when several varieties are planted. Everyone should grow strawberries.Fruits first year.
