Fruits Info

Now is the time to choose whether or not to grow fruits or nuts. Consider the time, labor, logistics, and chemicals concerned in producing these crops. Are you eager to do what should be done to insure production? Do you have an appropriate location? Fruit, such as blackberries, figs, Japanese persimmons, and pears, are low-maintenance crops. The hardest to care for are peaches, plums, apricots, and pecans.

For maximum manufacture, fruit plants need at least 6 hours of full sunlight daily. Extremely shaded landscapes are not perfect sites for fruit planting.

Soil and drainage are also significant considerations. Most fruit and nut species cannot tolerate extreme periods of ‘wet feet’. Fruit trees planted in soil with poor drainage show abridged growth, pale green leaves, iron chlorosis, zinc rosette, and in some extreme cases, drought stress. These symptoms occur when there is not enough oxygen obtainable in the soil, and the plant is unable to soak up the essential nutrients necessary for growth, even though it can be standing in water. Growing trees and shrubs on large, raised beds could progress soil drainage where the native soil is unsuitable.

You can contact Dennis Smith the Gregg County Extension Office by e-mail at dg-smith@tamu.edu or telephone at: 903-236-8429 for further information.