Fruit trees are a popular landscaping option since they provide beautiful blooms in the spring and you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the fall. Whether or not you are interested in a few decorative trees or a full-blown mini orchard, it’s important to plant trees that will thrive here in New Jersey. Here are some tips from Chris James Landscaping to help you pick the right varieties of fruit trees for your landscaping.
Pick Trees According to Your Hardiness Zone
The United States is divided into 11 zones to help you pick trees and plants that will thrive in your climate. New Jersey has 4 different zones and there’s a large variety of cold-hardy trees that will do well here for your edible landscaping.
Apples
One of the most popular and well-known of the cold-hardy trees is the apple tree. These trees do well even in extreme temperatures. However, it’s important to choose varieties that will grow in the shorter growing season such as:
- Regent
- Honeycrisp
- McIntosh
- Cortland
- Red and Gold Delicious
- Gala
- And many other varieties!
Pears
Pears are another common fruit tree found in colder growing climates. They blossom after the danger of frost has passed and they’ll produce fruit in the fall just in time for pear crisps and pear sauce! Common varieties that are good for extreme temperatures include:
- Kieffer
- Oriental
- Parker
- Patten
- Luscious
- Flemish Beauty
- Bartlett
Plums
These are one of the most popular of the stone fruits and can be grown in both cold and warmer climates. The most common ones grown in colder zones include the Japanese Plum, European Plum, and Italian Plum.
Peach
These popular stone fruits do well in colder hardiness zones. They blossom after the frost and their fruits ripen quickly in the summer heat. You’ll be able to enjoy their sweet fruit for up to 20 years. There are over 100 varieties to choose from depending on your tastes but some of the most popular ones are White Lady, Desiree, Sentry, and Gloria.
Tips for Growing Fruit Trees in Cold Zones
Fruit trees need a minimum of 8 hours of sunlight each day. Before you get your trees, make sure you have a tree garden layout area for them that gets full sunlight. You’ll also want to make sure there’s enough clearance from other trees and buildings to allow your tree to grow out and mature. Some of the other things to consider before planting:
- Visit a local nursery and talk to an expert about which trees will grow best in your area
- Make sure you prepare the hole (s) before you purchase the trees
- Take into consideration how much space a mature tree will need
- Dwarf varieties: These will grow only 8-10 feet in height and are good for smaller areas but they’ll produce less fruit
- Semi-dwarf: These will reach a mature height of 10-15 feet
- Standard: These will produce the most fruit but will reach 20 feet or more in height
- Research whether or not your tree is self-pollinating; if not you’ll need to have 2 of the same type of tree so they can pollinate and produce fruit
- Make sure you have the right soil for the trees you are selecting. Most trees need soil that drains well
Give Us A Call to Help You Out!
Chris James Landscaping is always here to make sure you have a lawn that you love. You can leave all the planning, preparation, and planting for us! Our team will make sure you have successful fruit trees for your landscaping to enjoy. If you need landscaping help in Bergen County, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas, then give us a call.