Beginner Fruit Trees for Your Urban Garden
If you have limited space for trees, as most urban gardeners do, you’ll want to choose your fruit trees carefully. In my opinion, the number one consideration should be—which fruit do you want to eat?! You can read a previous post here that covers considerations about size, climate, and more. But there’s no point in choosing the otherwise perfect fruit tree if you aren’t going to enjoy eating the produce.
Here are some of our top recommendations for fruit trees for beginner gardeners.
Satsumas. If you live in a climate that grows citrus well (generally Zones 8-11), this is my top citrus choice. Satsumas are delicious, easy to peel, and easy to grow. The tree is a manageable size for smaller yards and is self-pollinating. Once established, the tree is hardy and fairly drought-tolerant.
Apples. There is an apple tree for almost every garden. I’m not going to recommend a specific type of apple tree here, because the right one will depend on your location and needs. There are apple trees for Zone 2, and others for Zone 9, and for every zone in between. There are large, full-size trees, dwarf, semi-dwarf, and even mini-columnar versions that will fit in a large patio pot. Find the right one for you and enjoy the apples to come!
Reliance Peach Tree. Peaches are delicious, but many varieties are more difficult to grow. Some are susceptible to fungus and blights, and others are picky about temperature. But the Reliance Peach is a tougher, hardy peach tree that will be easier for a beginner to grow. It’s self-pollinating and comes in multiple size options.
Chicago Hardy Fig. Figs are delicious to eat fresh, and also make wonderful jams and spreads. This particular fig variety is tougher than most and can deal with a wider range of temperatures, so it works for Zones 5-10 (most of the U.S.). Once established, it is drought-tolerant. The tree is very productive and even the leaves are edible!
Mulberry. Mulberries won’t be found in many stores, since the fruit doesn’t hold up well for shipping. But they are delicious fresh from the backyard. Some mulberry trees are quite small, while still producing plenty of wonderful fruit. Mulberries will grow well in most of the U.S. and are self-pollinating. For a mulberry tree with a unique appearance, try a weeping mulberry tree!
There are so may fruit trees to try, but these can help you get started in an urban garden of any size. Happy eating!
