Growing Fruit Trees Successfully on the Pacific Northwest Coast

The mild climate and foggy conditions of this region can actually be an advantage for backyard orchards

No matter where in the humankind you garden , harvesting healthy , home - grown , deliciously ripefruitfrom your ownbackyard orchardis immensely satisfying . Every realm has its own advantages and challenges that will dictate the character offruit trees(and varietal ) that can be develop in that especial area . For successful fruit production for gardeners anywhere along the modest , beautiful , foggyPacific Northwestcoast , it ’s important to be aware of the pitfall and benefits and to adjust accordingly .

Can you grow fruit trees along the Pacific Northwest coast?

Advantages to growing fruit trees here

Clement , by and large Robert Frost - loose winter , bleary spring and summer seasons , and the absence seizure of wildly vacillate temperature greatly reduce many of the tension associated with yield growing . No summer heatwaves stand for no want to protect ripening fruit from sunburn or scorching . Minimal frost refer inNorthern Californiamean that citrus lovers can take a breather soft knowing it ’s a rare nighttime indeed that their wanted orange , lemon yellow , or lime trees might need shelter from a sudden frost . Foggy bounce and summer days mean extra moisture in the air and on the ground , lesseningirrigationconcerns . For all of these reason , growing fruit trees in our region is easier than in other locale .

Challenges to growing fruit on the Pacific Northwest coast

Wind and salt spray can be a trouble for fruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree arise by the sea-coast . Knowing your landscape’smicroclimatesand planting your fruit tree in a protected spot run a foresightful fashion toward reducing those worries . Foggy summer daytime with limited sun make raise a peach or nectarine tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree a challenge , but there are plenty ofapples , pears , plums , and evenfig treesthat will flourish under such conditions .

How do I determine which fruit trees will grow best in my area?

Winter chill hours will determine which varieties you can grow

A wintertime cool requirement is the turn of hours each yr between 32 ° and 45 ° F that a plant ( in this case a fruit tree ) needs to thrive . The three basic ranges are :

Be certain to research what the chilling requirement of your desired fruit is before you buy treees . Here in Northern California we do n’t get cold enough for average or high - shivering trees . There are a few deciduous fruit trees — such ascitrus trees — that require no wintertime chilling hours at all . But sadly , we get too dusty for most of those trees ( low temperatures bottle up the exploitation of the clams needed for the sweet flavors of many orange or mandarin orange ) . Most Pacific Northwest coastal fruit - lovers should look for miserable - shivering yield tree varieties for the good success .

Even though you might not be able to grow your all - time preferent orchard apple tree or pear cultivars , there are deal that will prosper in your frost - free grove . The following are a few of my favorite low - chill varieties .

Best apple varieties to grow along the Pacific Northwest coast

‘ Anna ’ , ‘ Gala ’ , ‘ Winter Banana ’

Best plum varieties to grow along the Pacific Northwest coast

‘ Beauty ’ , ‘ Burgundy ’ , ‘ Santa Rosa ’

Best pear varieties to grow along the Pacific Northwest coast

‘ southerly Bartlett ’ , ‘ Comice ’

Best fig varieties to grow along the Pacific Northwest coast

‘ Desert King ’ , ‘ Osborne Prolific ’

Citrus varieties to grow along the Pacific Northwest coast

For low - chill citrus tree , try ‘ Meyer ’ lemon ( pictured ) , ‘ Nagami ’ kumquat , or ‘ Bearss ’ seedless lime

How do I get a good harvest from my fruit trees?

Administer basic care and maintenance for the best harvest

Fruit trees are most rich and healthiest when sited in a placement that receives at least six hours of light per solar day during the growing season . Find the spot probable to receive the most sun in yourcoastal gardenand your trees will thrive .

Even thoughwateringworries are reduce in coastal orbit , yield trees still require regular , even moisture . The general regulation of quarter round is to water when the top inch of soil is dry and the soil 6 inch below the airfoil is barely damp . Water profoundly enough to ensure penetration down to at least 3 to 4 foot deep . Mature tree diagram with deeply - hand roots are more self - sufficient but should still be water deeply during dryer menstruation .

bung your fruit trees three to four times during the growing time of year with an constituent , well - balance plant food . Avoid fertiliser too high innitrogen , as they stimulate leafy growth at the disbursal of fruit production . There is no pauperism tofertilizeduring the dormant time of year , but a 2- to 3 - in layer of compost as a side - dressing is appreciated .

The success of your fruit trees bet upon theinitial training and pruningduring the first three years . For healthy , productive fruit trees , get crown from your local garden center , or do your own research online .

— Fionuala Campion is the possessor and director of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .

Photos : Fionuala Campion

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