Growing backyard fruits can be fun and rewarding. Best of all, you get fresh fruit! Some fruits are easier to grow than others. Let's go over some considerations for backyard orchards.
Hardiness Zone What USDA growing zone are you in? According to the USDA, "Plant hardiness zone designations represent what’s known as the “average annual extreme minimum temperature” at a given location during a particular time period (30 years, in this instance). Put another way, the designations do not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ever will be at a specific location, but simply the average lowest winter temperature for the location over a specified time. Low temperature during the winter is a crucial factor in the survival of plants at specific locations."
Downtown Hendersonville would be considered zone 7. Higher elevations and further north in the county, especially if living on the north side of a mountain, you could be in 6b. When choosing fruit plants, make sure the plant is hardy in your growing zone.
Before you start planting a fruit trees you should realize that fruit trees in general do require some work or results will be disappointing. Sometimes there are problems such as late frosts that kill the flowers and prevent a fruit set. Our generally humid weather requires frequent spraying to protect trees from diseases. Insects can be a problem. You may not get a great crop every year. However, if you have plenty of room in your landscape and you do not mind a little work each year, fruit trees can be very rewarding.
There are many types of tree fruits you could decide to grow. The only ones I would recommend would be apples, pears and plums. Peaches tend to perform poorly here most years. Cherries can be grown here but like peaches they are hit and miss year to year.
Figs There are many varieties of figs. Most varieites are for warmer climates. However, 'Brown Turkey' and 'Brunswick' varieties will produce well after figs get killed to the gound in the winter which they often do here. The key to growing a fig here in WNC is to plant the tree about six feet from the foundation of a southwest facing wall of a building. This protects the roots in the harshest winters allowing the plant to regenerate new shoots the following year.
Although figs may die to the ground in the winter, the right varietes will regenerate from the roots and have fruit.
Small fruits are generally easier to grow that tree fruits. These plants can mostly survive without pesticide sprays if cared for properly. Their smaller stature makes them perfect for backyard gardens.
Strawberries The top 3 strawberry varieties recommended for our area: Day neutral - Jewel, Galleta, Allstar; Ever bearing - Seascape, Tristar, Albion
Raspberries The top 3 raspberry varieties recommended for our area: Latham, Caroline, Nantahala
Blackberries The top 3 blackberry varieties recommended for our area: Natchez, Freedom, Traveller
Blueberries The top 3 blueberry varieties recommended for our area: Vernon, Premier, Powderblue
Grapes The top 3 grape varieties recommended for your area: Catawba, Concord, Niagra. It is recommended to avoid trying muscadines as they are not as cold hardy.
Specialty Fruits Kiwi are not recommended. Hardy kiwi is even considered invasive.
Native Fruits There are a few fruits that are native to Western NC. Some native fruits that grow well here are American crabapple, American persimmon, paw paw and elderberry.
Paw paws have a custard-like consistency and a banana/mango-like flavor.
