Fruit in the Community Garden: Introduction

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1 Fruit in the Community Garden: Introduction Patrick Byers Regional Horticulture Specialist University of Missouri Extension Springfield, MO

2 Outline Why choose fruit for the community garden? Choosing a type of fruit Choosing among fruit cultivars Site considerations General care of fruit plants

3 Why Grow Fruit in the Community Garden? Interest in quality

4 Why Grow Fruit in the Community Garden? Highest quality Variety

5 Why Grow Fruit in the Community Garden? Fruit tree harvest dates Fruit May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Apple Apricot Cherry Mulberry Pawpaw Persimmon Peach Pear Plum

6 Why Grow Fruit in the Community Garden? Berry harvest dates Fruit May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Blackberry Blueberry Gooseberry Elderberry Grape - Table Grape - Wine Flori Raspberry Primo Raspberry JB Strawberry DN Strawberry

7 Why Grow Fruit in the Community Garden? Highest quality Variety Money savings

8 Why Grow Fruit in the Community Garden? Highest quality Variety Money savings Healthful qualities of fruit Vitamins and minerals Fiber Antioxidants Anticancer properties Ellagic acid

9 Why Grow Fruit in the Community Garden? Highest quality Variety Money savings Healthful qualities of fruit Good for the soul!

10 Realities of Fruit in the Community Garden Perennial plants Long term commitment Successful plantings are planned! Fruits are often planted in a common area in the garden who will tend the plants? Consider placement in the garden Structures may be needed for grape, bramble, espaliered trees Shading issues from trees Pest control concerns

11 Grand Acres Community Garden New Haven, CT (source: N

12 Realities of Fruit in the Community Garden Opportunities in the community garden Focus for festivals, garden gatherings, work parties Focus for learning experiences Community outreach opportunities Fruit plants can become part of the permanent fabric of a community garden

15 Realities of Fruit in the Community Garden Useful life of fruit plants in KS/MO Apple, pear, mulberry, pawpaw, persimmon years Grape years Peach, plum, cherry years Blueberry 15 years Blackberry, raspberry 7-10 years June bearing strawberry 3-5 years Day neutral strawberry 1 year

16 Realities of Fruit in the Hardiness issues Community Garden Hardiest fruits apple, pear, blueberry, pawpaw, persimmon, mulberry -15 to -20 F: damage to blackberry and raspberry, most stone fruit flower buds, most grapes -10 to -15 F: damage to most peach flower buds -5 to -10 F: damage to less hardy grapes 0 to -5 F: damage to unprotected strawberry plants

17 Pest issues Realities of Fruit in the Community Garden Serious pest issues peach, plum, apricot, grape Moderate pest issues apple, pear, tart cherry, raspberry Pest tolerant blackberry, blueberry, persimmon, pawpaw, strawberry

18 Choosing a Type of Fruit Great topic for a garden discussion! Is there a place for fruit? Which fruits are of interest? What is the waiting period? Is the fruit difficult to grow? How often will there be a harvest? What about spraying?

19 Choosing the Proper Fruit Cultivar Adapted to the climate Winter cold Summer heat Frosts and freezes

20 Choosing the Proper Fruit Cultivar Adapted to the climate Attractive features

21 Choosing the Proper Fruit Cultivar Adapted to the climate Attractive features Disease and insect resistance

22 Choosing the Proper Fruit Cultivar Adapted to the climate Attractive features Disease and insect resistance Harvest season

23 Choosing the Proper Fruit Cultivar Adapted to the climate Attractive features Disease and insect resistance Harvest season Use of the crop

24 Selecting a Place to Grow Fruit Full sun

Selecting a Place to Grow Fruit Full sun Close to water source fruit plants need 1.

25 Selecting a Place to Grow Fruit Full sun Close to water source fruit plants need inches of water/week Make it easy to water fruit plants soaker hose or trickle works good mulches are great

26 Selecting a Place to Grow Fruit Full sun Close to water source Adequate space among plants avoid pockets of stagnant air Provide adequate spacing between fruit plants fewer disease problems

Selecting a Place to Grow Fruit Limited space

27 Selecting a Place to Grow Fruit Limited space Dwarf fruit trees and small statured plants Espaliered fruit Source: httpwfpquantum.s3.amazonaws.comimages homesarticlesultra5rhf46ghfjctdxd9jg1s jpg Source:

28 Selecting a Place to Grow Fruit Full sun Close to water source Good air movement Soil well drained slightly acid, moderately fertile organic matter is important work towards 5% OM

29 Site Modification Provisions for soil drainage berms, raised beds

30 Containers and Raised Beds The growing media must be well drained, and high in organic matter Suggested mix: 33%: 1/4" bark compost 33%: peat moss 33%: good quality topsoil

31 Care of Fruit Plants in the Garden Planting purchase good nursery stock plant in spring or fall handle properly upon arrival plant properly care of the young plants

32 Care of Fruit Plants in the Garden Planting fruit trees Dig a hole 2x the spread of the roots Plant with graft union 2 above the soil line Spread roots, backfill, firm soil Source:

33 Care of Fruit Plants in the Garden Planting berries and grapes Plant at the same depth as in the nursery Dig an adequate hole, and spread the roots

34 Care of Fruit Plants in the Garden Planting strawberries Dormant crowns Spread roots, and plant with soil half way up the crown Plug plants Plant as a bedding plant

35 Care of Fruit Plants in the Garden Pruning pruning is an important annual job shaping plants strong framework correct problems use the proper tools when to prune dormant late February growing season

36 Training and Pruning Equipment Pruner Lopper Saw Disinfectant

37 Pruning Tree Fruits Central leader Apple Pear Apricot European plum Cherry Open center Peach Japanese plum

38 Care of Fruit Plants in the Garden Managing pests IPM for diseases, insects, animals learn the potential problems Use resistant cultivars Purchase healthy planting stock Healthy plants are able to ward off pests Dispose of crop residue (leftovers) Destroy wild fruit plants that harbor pests Use limited chemicals if necessary

40 Care of Fruit Plants in the Garden Fertilizing know the needs of your plants Weeds Remove perennial weeds before planting mistake to plant fruit plants in grassy areas Don t delay! Remove weeds when they are less than 1 tall and remove roots, too! Mulching is useful weed barrier, straw, leaves, black polyethylene plastic, grass clippings, wood chips Chemicals (herbicides) - READ directions! BE careful!

5 to 2 inches of water per week is usual Combine with mulch or weed barrier fabric for easy

41 Care of Fruit Plants in the Garden Irrigation Drip or trickle systems work well Trees gator bags, buckets with holes 1.5 to 2 inches of water per week is usual Combine with mulch or weed barrier fabric for easy maintenance Source: Source: /06/on-right-road-to-drip-irrigation.html

42 Resources Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide - Kansas State University Extension Publications Guides on many aspects of fruit production age=5 University of Missouri Extension Guides Guides on many aspects of fruit production MO State Fruit Experiment Station (MSU) Guides on blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, general fruit t Cornell Berry and Small Fruit Nursery Listing -

43 Conclusion Any questions? Contact information: Patrick Byers

Reverse Poster Pruning fruit trees. 2. Thinning fruit trees. 3. Effective fruit tree watering and feeding. 4. Pest and disease control

Reverse Poster Pruning fruit trees. 2. Thinning fruit trees. 3. Effective fruit tree watering and feeding. 4. Pest and disease control Reverse Poster 3 1. Pruning fruit trees 2. Thinning fruit trees 3. Effective fruit tree watering and feeding 4. Pest and disease control Pruning is the selective removal of parts of plants to promote patterns