The garden may be in full on winter mode right now, but it doesn’t mean you can’t daydream about the upcoming year! Maybe you’re dreaming about fresh strawberries and cream, or delicious plum wine, but aren’t sure how to go about growing your own. Today we’ll be breaking down the best, the easiest, and the most satisfying fruit to grow in your garden.
Growing Fruit Trees at Home
If you have the space, fruit trees are a real asset to any garden. You might be surprised to find you’re able to grow some fruit trees you may not have expected!
Apples
Whilst they may seem like an obvious choice, apples can be deceptively difficult to grow. This is due in part to the fact apple trees are prone to so many insect and disease problems. However, they’re beautiful trees that will last a long time.
Pears
If you’re patient, pears might be for you! This tasty tree can take up to three years to first produce any fruit. However, they have few issues with disease and will fruit for years once established.
Plums
These are a great fruit tree for beginners, as they require little care. They also work well for those with smaller gardens as the trees are fairly compact. When choosing a plum tree, it’s important to choose one that is well suited to your climate.
Cherries
These come with the added bonus of producing not just delicious fruit, but beautiful flowers. It can be about 4 years before a cherry tree will begin producing fruit, so patience is needed!
Peaches
Did you know you can grow peaches at home? These fruit trees tend to be on the smaller side, so should be perfect for most back gardens. They require some pruning to keep the branches productive and reachable.
Figs
You can still grow figs even if you only have a patio to work with! These trees can be grown in pots or straight into the soil. They’re relatively pest free and require little pruning.
Growing Soft Fruits
A taste of summer with strawberries and cherries, followed by an autumnal feast with blackberries. Soft fruit will keep you happy year round!
Strawberries
A summer classic! Although strawberry plants are not difficult to grow, the plants don’t last. Expect to replace them every three to five years. These are a great plant to grow in a container.
Raspberries
These popular fruits are easy to grow. Luckily newer varieties of raspberries contain less thorns than previously. For a longer harvest, try growing both summer and autumn varieties.
Blackberries
Like raspberries, blackberries are very easy to grow. Once they’re ripe you’ll have an abundance of these tasty autumnal treats. Pruning is important for a great fruit harvest and to avoid an untidy plant.
Gooseberries
These strange, sour fruit are very cold hardy. So if you’ve got a space in your garden that is proving too cold for other fruits, try growing gooseberries there!
Some of the Other Best Fruits to Grow in Your Garden
Melons
You might think of melons as a hot climate fruit, but they can grow surprisingly well in Britain! Try an outdoor melon such as Outdoor Wonder, which can survive our cooler climate. Other varieties can be grown in greenhouses.
Grapes
Who doesn’t secretly wish they had their own vineyard? Whilst it might not be the Loire Valley, you can certainly grow your own grapes right here in the UK! Grapes are easy to grow, but you’ll be fiercely rivalled by birds and small mammals who will be after your harvest!
Before You Buy
Before you decide which is the best fruit to grow in your garden, give some thought to where you want to place them. Fruit trees and shrubs will be around for years to come. Make sure you can provide the following:
- Full sun
- Well-draining soil
- Good air circulation.
- Protection from cold and frost.
To Conclude: The Best Fruit to Grow in Your Garden
There’s a whole variety of fruit you can grow at home. From English classics like apples and strawberries, to the more exotic fruits like melons. There’s a variety of fruits to suit gardeners of all skill levels and space restrictions!
Which fruits will you be growing next year?
