Top Fruit Trees for Colder Climates

If you reside in an area with cold winters, you might not be able to grow papaya, orange, mango, or banana trees, but there are several other fruit trees that thrive in cool climates.

A lot of varieties of fruit trees need a stretch of low temperatures for the trees to bear fruit. Hence, they are very well-suited to colder climates. All you need is the relevant knowledge and care.

Here is a list of the top winter fruit trees that you can grow in your backyard garden.

1. Apple Trees

Apples are undoubtedly the most popular winter fruit, and apple trees are perfect for growing well in a cold climate! Ideally, you should plant your apple tree when it's a little warm. The sunlight will help your tree grow and bear fruit before winter kicks in. Nevertheless, you can even plant an apple tree in early spring or late winter as long the soil isn't frozen, and you can dig a hole.

Make sure the area where you plant your apple tree is well-ventilated and protected from frost. It's also imperative that your apple tree has sufficient room to grow and thrive. If possible, plant the tree on a tilted ground so that it is away from wind and cold air.

Apple trees thrive in sandy soil. After you plant your apple tree, ensure that you water it every week. Usually, one to two inches of water every week will allow your tree to stay healthy.

Weed control around your apple tree is also essential. Weed, grass, and other plants can suck the water and nutrients your apple tree requires. One way to solve this problem is to add mulch around your tree to prevent weed growth and retain moisture.

2. Plum Trees

Plum trees are another great fruit tree for colder climates. A lot of its requirements are quite similar to an apple tree – sandy soil, tilted land, proper drainage, and plenty of sunlight. Ideally, you should plant your plum trees in spring when the cold weather is over.

Plum trees need around one to two inches of water in the first year. However, you should be careful not to overwater your plum trees.

Preventing weed growth is as important for a plum tree as it is for an apple tree. You don't want weeds using up your tree's nutrition or water. Again, mulching is quite effective against this problem.

Pruning a plum tree is a bit challenging. You need to prune it when you plant it, but it is highly dependent on the shape you want for your tree. The important thing to ensure is that your tree stays healthy. The branches of your plum tree should receive sunlight, so get rid of branches that are covering other parts of the trees.

3. Pear Trees

Pear trees are usually considered to be quite easy to maintain and keep fruitful. Ideally, you should transplant or plant them in the early spring once the cold has subsided.

Just like plums and apples or any other winter fruit tree that you're growing, planting pear trees on a slope is recommended. These trees can adapt to any kind of soil as long as it's not too heavy or rocky.

Pear trees need plenty of sunlight for most of the day. You can use compost or manure to fertilize the soil where you are growing your tree to facilitate its growth.

Another similar feature of pear trees with the other two trees is that they also require one to two inches of water every week in the initial months. Use mulch to keep weeds under control and keep your pear tree healthy and happy.

You should prune your pear tree in late spring. This is because pruning during summer can result in bacterial growth in your tree. On the other hand, pruning in the winter or fall will make them susceptible to winter injury.

4. Grape Vines

Grapes are also an excellent winter fruit tree option. If you wish to plant something small than the above-mentioned trees, grapes are your best bet!

Before planting grapes, make sure you choose the right location. This is because grapes grow on vines that cannot be easily moved. Like other trees, grapes also thrive on sloped land and gravelly or sandy soil. They need lots of sunlight with appropriate drainage.

If feasible, you should arrange the vines in straight rows. If you're planting them on a slope, you can be faced with the problem of soil erosion. To reduce this problem, add sod in between the vine rows before planting the tree. The sod will also prevent weed growth.

Grapevines can sometimes grow more fruit than they can hold. Thinning and pruning the clusters will help to solve this problem and enhance the quality of the fruit.

5. Raspberry Bushes

Raspberries grow well in a cold climate. You should plant them in early spring and ensure that there's sufficient space between the rows to thrive. Also, put mulch between the rows to protect them from wield and improve irrigation.

Make sure to plant the raspberries in a place that receives plenty of sun and is shielded from the wind. They also need to have proper draining. Blackberries and wild berries can harm your raspberry plant, so make sure to keep your planted raspberries away from them.

Like other winter fruit trees, raspberries grow best in sandy soil and sloped land. Raspberries are resistant to diseases and other issues. However, they need to have sufficient water. Frequently water your raspberry with little water. This is much better than occasional deep watering.

Last Few Words

With these winter trees, it is easy to have homegrown fruity goodness all around the year! Benefiting from seasonal production keeps our diets balanced, healthy, and nutritious. Find the products you need such as soil, fertilizer, hand tools and more at Grange Co-op. Whether you are new to gardening or have some experience, Grange Co-op is here to help you find the right products and answer any questions you may have.