There’s nothing quite like picking a fresh apple or a peach right from the tree and taking a big bite. If you’d like to be able to do that right from your back yard then prepare to spend a lot of time and effort to get that big bite. Paul McKenzie of the Vance Co. Extension Service says that this is the cold, hard truth when it comes to back yard fruit crops.
“It can be incredibly rewarding,” McKenzie says of the work required for apples, peaches, nectarines and plums. An intensive spray program is required. Approximately 10 to 15 applications per year is usually needed to keep pests away from these fruit trees. “If you don’t follow through with, then you don’t have success,” McKenzie said.
However, McKenzie does have some other ideas for those who don’t have the time or energy for such intensive work but still want to have a fruit crop in their backyard. These crops will still require some work but not as intensive. McKenzie says growing figs is relatively easy with little or no pest control required. Pruning is simple as well and fig trees are reliable producers. Additionally, McKenzie suggests Muscadine grapes, blackberries and blueberries. The biggest effort required is installation and soil prep but little pest management is required. Once the prep work is done, the rest of the work is fairly straight forward.
Lastly, McKenzie also suggests strawberries. “They are easy to manage,” McKenzie said. Some soil and site preparation is required but McKenzie said that after the first planting you can expect to harvest berries for up to three years.
For more information on back yard fruit crops contact McKenzie at the Vance Co. Cooperative Extension Service at 252-438-8188.
The Cooperative Extension Service Report can be heard on WIZS at 11:50am Monday, Tuesday and Thursday as part of the Local Skinny! The Home & Garden Show with Wayne Rowland and Paul McKenzie can be heard every Wednesday during the Local Skinny at 11:30.