Easy to Grow Fruit Trees

Having fruit trees in your yard provides an aesthetic of lovely sprawling branches peppered with occasional blossoms and plenty of shade in the hot summer months. And while their visual beauty is often enough to inspire planting, the ease of cultivating fruits in your backyard is certainly a perk. If you are just starting in the gardening game, however, finding easy to grow fruit trees is essential to your success.

Whether you own a small yard or extensive grounds, there is a perfect tree out there for you. For yards with less space to work with, most fruit trees also come in dwarf varieties. Many homeowners choose this size when selecting a tree anyway since they are easier to manage and maintain than full-grown specimens that reach up to several stories high.

To discover the perfect match for you and your landscape, take a look at this fantastic selection of fruit trees that are easy to care for and grow.

Fantastic Fruit Trees for Beginning Gardeners

Fruit trees are ideal, but know that you can also grow fruiting vines. Try a combination of fruit varieties and placement.

One of the first things to consider when getting ready to plant your first fruit tree or when growing strawberry from seed is what supplies are required for the job.

While maintaining your trees is similar to any other gardening endeavor, there are a few new items necessary to complete the task. Here is a compiled list of recommended supplies to begin the planting process.

Though you may already recognize standard gardening supplies like a thick pair of gloves, shears, and a spade, other tree-specific items may not be as familiar. Tree ties and stakes offer support for young, growing plants, whose trunks are not yet well-established and sturdy.

Something not typically needed when growing plants low to the ground is a ladder. However, this is undoubtedly useful when harvest time rolls around.

It’s important to note that you may not be the only one that likes your fruit. You may need to mix up a DIY deer repellent to keep wildlife away.

It’s important to note that you can grow indoor vegetables and fruit trees, as well, if your climate doesn’t lend itself to the right growing conditions or you have a minuscule or nonexistent yard. As long as you have a bright window or grow lights, the possibilities of harvesting your own produce are almost endless.

Pest control is also crucial to growing fruit trees in your yard. Find out a fantastic way to use neem oil on fruit trees to kill pests and protect the budding fruit on your trees.

Apple Trees (Malus domestica)

One of the most beloved fruit trees homeowners attempt to grow first is the apple tree. Beyond the full-grown and miniature fruit trees, apple trees come in a diverse array of species, from Gala to Cordon to Pink Lady apples.

Though most require the same basic set of procedures to take care of them, some subspecies require more maintenance than others. One critical idea to keep in mind when you grow fruit trees is the climate.

Apples grow throughout most of the states but are not hardy to hot and humid climates like those found in Florida and parts of Texas. Beyond that, a nice, deep watering once a week ensures the tree grows healthy and strong.

Regularly replacing the mulch around the trees is equally beneficial to keep critters from nesting around the tree’s base. Keep an eye out for unwanted pests and take care of them quickly so they don’t ruin your apple crop.

Pear Trees (Pyrus): Soft to Crisp Textures

Pears are easy to grow trees that are another excellent choice for beginning gardeners since they arrive in manageable little packages no matter what variety you select. Two of the most common types of pears are Asian and European, both of which also host their own subsets of species.

Where the European pear is softer in texture and sweeter in taste, Asian pears lean more toward the crisp side, similar to apples, and are much more resistant to fire blight than their counterparts. Pear trees require anywhere from six to eight hours of sunlight each day to thrive, with well-drained and fertile soil.

They are also among some of the first trees to bloom and produce fruit each year, with times changing depending on climate. In general, flowering takes place in early spring, while harvest time begins in late summer.

Cherry Trees (Prunus avium)

Another delicious fruit your garden can’t live without is the cherry tree. This low-maintenance plant comes in two main species: Prunus avium, also known as sweet cherries, and Prunus cerasus, known as sour cherries. Where sweet cherries are the tasty treats we often add to the tops of milkshakes and cherry drinks, their tart counterparts are ideal for cooking.

No matter the species, cherry trees prefer full sun conditions and do well in almost any soil type. They do, however, prefer their soil to be slightly acidic, which is something easily managed with the right fertilizer. Most gardeners recommend a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

Coconut Trees (Cocos nucifera): A Tropical Fruit Experience

A commonly overlooked fruit tree option is the coconut tree. This factor is generally due to their incredible height, with full-grown varieties stretching up toward the sky to over 90 feet tall. Dwarf variations still grow up to 20 feet tall, though they are perfect for hot climates that fall into USDA hardiness zones of 10 or warmer.

After the first year of growing, apply a good quality fertilizer to develop the plant’s progress further. Common nutrients include boron, manganese, and magnesium. Since coconut trees do not undergo extreme changes in weather, their harvests and growing season are based on stages of growth rather than times of the year.

Peach Trees (Prunus persica)

Peaches are among some of the best fruit options to choose from when it comes to ease and growing success. While most fruit trees require a second tree to cross-pollinate properly, peaches are one of the few self-pollinating plants. This trait does not apply to every species of the peach tree, however, and varieties like “J.H. Hale,” “Candoka” and “Hal-Berta,” require a second specimen to develop.

Beyond their pollinating characteristics, peach trees also produce lovely blooms in spring with a harvest time that begins in early summer. They are hardy throughout most of the country, including parts of Texas, Florida, and California.

Plum Trees (Prunus domestica)

Like most other fruiting plants, plums come in two major varieties, European and Japanese. Japanese plums are much more suited to warmer weather, stretching as far down as USDA hardiness zone 10, in some cases. Hybrids of the two species also exist. These are much more tolerant of the cold, as well as the heat, than their European and Japanese brethren.

Though plum trees only reach about 30 feet in height, they spread almost as far in width. As a result, spacing out multiple trees to support this expansive size is necessary. Large varieties require anywhere from 20-25 feet of space in between trees, where dwarf plum trees do just as fine with 10-15 feet of space between them.

Apricot Trees (Prunus armeniaca): Simple to Sow Seeds

Apricots are among some of the few fruits where growing a tree from the seed inside the fruit is possible. While often bearing unpredictable results, apricots are unlike other trees that require grafting buds to the rootstock to achieve the same sweetness and traits as the parent plant.

As a result, starting the process toward growing your own fruit could not be any easier. Apricot trees also come in three different size ranges, with the addition of mini to this collection.

Standard sizes reach approximately 20 feet in height, while dwarf trees only grow around 10 feet tall. Mini versions grow anywhere from 4-6 feet high, which is preferable for homeowners who are tight on space. Growing fruit trees in containers is also an option for miniature versions of apricot or other fruit trees.

Nectarine Trees (Prunus persica var. nucipersica)

Another of the most beloved fruit trees is anything to do with citrus. Choose the best dwarf orange tree or a Meyer lemon. One of the easier versions for beginners to handle, however, are nectarines, which develop through the summer for a yummy fall harvest. These delicious fruits grow in warmer climates, though nothing too hot or humid.

Nectarines prefer nitrogen-rich soil and only need watering once every 10-14 days. One of the critical steps to promoting their success is trimming excess or dead leaves whenever necessary. Prune nectarine trees in the dormant season to allow space for new fruit in the summer.

Fig Trees (Ficus carica): Trees that are Self-Fertile

As a low-maintenance plant, most fig trees are self-fertile, already putting them ahead of other plants in terms of growing advantages. In addition to this characteristic, they are the perfect plant to grow in warmer weather since they tolerate even some of the hottest climates in the United States.

Fertilization is not necessary when it comes to fig trees unless grown in a container. They do need anywhere from 1-1½ inches of water every week to grow well, with soil that is kept moist and well-drained.

Mulberry Trees (Morus rubra)

Mulberry trees have a rich and ancient history that dates back hundreds of years. In addition to their delicious fruits when growing mulberries, owners used the leaves to fatten up silkworms and produce more threads in the time of the silk trade. The bark also served its purpose as currency in Kublai Khan’s court.

Today, we continue to grow these mouthwatering fruits with little maintenance necessary. You can grow a mulberry tree from seed, although a sapling takes less time.

Though fairly drought-tolerant plants, mulberry trees benefit from watering twice a week. Adding in a little 10-10-10 fertilizer once a year is also preferable to increase growing conditions.

When thinking about blackberries vs mulberries, the taste is similar but mulberries are a little more tart. Blackberries are a thorny bush plant rather than a tree.

Blueberries (Cyanococcus)

Another easy to grow fruit is blueberries. While most varieties grow on bushes, there is at least one species that grows on a tree, the Japanese blueberry tree (Elaeocarpus decipens). In any case, it is easy to grow a blueberry bush and they are relatively simple to care for. Harvest time takes place throughout the summer.

Pollination is also not an issue with blueberries since most tend to be self-pollinating. Prune back plants during the dormant season, typically the late winter to early spring, to promote more robust, healthier blooms in the spring.

Lemon Trees (Citrus × limon): Easy to Grow Fruit Trees

Because too many citrus trees is never a bad thing, another option to choose from are lemon trees. Surprisingly, they even make wonderful houseplants since many grow only about 3-5 feet tall. Wherever you plant them, however, ensure they have plenty of sunlight.

These plants love warmer weather and grow best in hardiness zones 8b to 11. Due to their high sensitivity to frost, planting them close to the house, especially along a south-facing wall, is an added precaution to protect them from the cold.

Did you know that planting citrus trees to attract hummingbirds can benefit both the birds and you? While the birds do not eat the fruit, they like citrus trees for nesting and shelter.

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)

Even though strawberries do not grow on trees, they are an excellent addition to any yard. And while there is a plant labeled a strawberry tree, it’s not a true strawberry. Instead, these plants grow on low runners called forbs, which look similar to vines.

Strawberries prefer a little bit of fertilizer worked into the soil at least once a year. This combination typically includes a 10-10-10 ratio of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus): A Fruit Tree Substitute

Raspberries are another fruit tree alternative that’s perfect for smaller yards. Similar to blackberries, a plant of the same genus and appearance, these fruits are among the easiest and most productive available. The bright red berries also attract pollinators like birds and butterflies to your yard.

Though these bush plants prefer colder climates, they grow just as well throughout most parts of the country. The way to plant raspberry seeds or young bare-root plants is to ensure they get the nutrients they need. At the least, apply raspberry or blackberry fertilizer when planting.

Raspberries are also not too picky about the type of sunlight they receive. While they prefer full sun like most fruit, they also handle partial shade with ease!

How long do blackberries take to grow? What about raspberries? You can have fruit within one to two years of planting.

This helpful guide for how to grow your own fruit delivers all the information necessary to get you started on your next planting journey. With so many delicious and straightforward selections to choose from, finding the right specimen has never been easier.

If these fruit tree tips inspired you for your next gardening endeavor, then pass on your new-found knowledge and share these easy to grow fruit trees with everyone you know on Facebook and Pinterest.