Backyard Fruit Production Courtney DeKalb-Myers Cleveland County - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Backyard Fruit Production Courtney DeKalb-Myers Cleveland County Horticulture Educator September 12, 2020

Backyard Fruit Production Benefits: • High quality fruits • Satisfying hobby • Aesthetic Assess your commitment level before starting! Image from MSU Extension

Before Getting Started Are you willing to… prune fertilize annually? annually? water manage regularly? pests? Images from Cornell Chronicle, Ohio State University, UMN Extension, University of Georgia

Time (Years) Required To Bear Fig 2 Apple 4 Plum 2 Pear 5 Peach 3 Apricot 5 Nectarine 3 Pecan 5 - 12

Considerations for Getting Started Variety Pruning Planting Thinning Fertilizing Pest Control Mulching

Variety Choosing varieties suited for Oklahoma is the best first step Also consider rootstock varieties – this can determine shape, cold hardiness, drought tolerance, and disease resistance Variety / Rootstock combination should be on label Check OSU Fact Sheets for recommended varieties

Grafting Image from NC State Extension

Planting Spring is usually best Bare root or container grown plants Bare root – plant before buds break Hole as deep as the root system and twice as wide Keep graft union above soil level Image from UMN Extension

Planting Image from USDA National Phenology Network

Fertilizing Too little • Unthrifty growth • Poor fruit set • Poor production Too much • Excessive growth, limb breakage • Poor color, soft fruit • Delayed ripening and bearing • Tree death

Fertilizing Base pre-plant applications on soil test Apply fertilizer before bud break Use a fruit tree fertilizer and apply according to label instructions Leaf analysis can determine deficiencies after year 4

Mulching Benefits: • Helps with moisture retention • Breaks down overtime • Weed suppression Trees are in competition with turf for water and nutrients Greater grass free area means better growth Image from UMN Extension

Pruning Prune to maintain overall health Prune to maintain structure of the tree Do not remove more than 1/3 of the wood Different shapes are recommended for different fruits Image from Deep Green Permaculture

Pruning

Thinning Trees can bear an excess of fruits, which strains health and hardiness Thin fruit early in their development Peaches are sometimes thinned by late freezes Apples / Pears bear in clusters, remove all but one Image from University of Maine

Pest Control Fruit trees are affected by several diseases and some insects If available, choose resistant varieties Familiarize yourself with the common diseases and know what to look out for Certain diseases are more prevalent at certain times; control can be more calculated Sanitation can help – clean up diseases fruit, prune out diseased limbs after season, disinfect pruners

Pest Control Image from Rutgers University Image from Umass Extension Image from UMN Extension Image from Michigan State University

From Fact Sheet EPP-7319 Home Tree Fruit Production and Pest Management

From Fact Sheet EPP-7319 Home Tree Fruit Production and Pest Management

Fruits and Nuts for Oklahoma Pecans Small Fruits Blackberries Fruit Trees Blueberries Apple Strawberries Pears Figs Peaches Kiwis Plums Cherries Grapes

Pecans Need two for pollination requirements Do not plant closer than 40 ft Many insects and diseases Must be thinned in early August Alternate bearing Image from University of Georgia

Pecans Image from Noble Research Institute

Apples Need two varieties for pollination Dwarf rootstocks available (require staking) General pruning shape is inverted cone Susceptible to scab, codling moth, and fire blight Image from University of Maryland Extension

Pears Three main types of pears: • European • Oriental hybrid • Asian (apple pear) MOST pears need another varieties Production is similar to apples but • Earlier bloom • More susceptible to fire blight Image from UMN Extension and Oregon State Extension

Peaches Can sometimes be damaged by late first frost Only need one variety Well-drained, open soil Open pruned center with three scaffold branches Peach borer control is a must Image from University of Maryland Extension

Apricots and Nectarines Apricots – bloom earlier than peaches, usually killed by late spring frosts Nectarines – peach cultivars that do not have fuzz, do not perform as well as the recommended peach varieties Images from Colorado State University Extension

Plums Types: • Red (Japanese) plums • Purple (European) plums Some plums are self- pollinating, some need a pollinator (check variety) Cultural requirements are similar to peaches Japanese bloom earlier than European Image from UGA Extension

Cherries Tart cherries do better than sweet cherries in Oklahoma Prune to central leader Poorly drained soils can be an obstacle Image from Iowa State University

Blackberries Easier to grow in Oklahoma – few pests, grow in wide range of soils Thorned and thornless types Erect and trailing forms Prune out dead or diseased canes Summer tipping can increase production next year Image from Clemson University

Blueberries Require acidic soils (5.0 to 5.2), so considerable soil amendments must be made Protect them from hot, drying winds Rabbiteye types do best in central and southern Oklahoma Image from Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Raspberries Generally not productive because of fluctuating temperatures during winter and lack of heat tolerance Using a 50% shade cloth or planting next to a building for afternoon shade can help reduce heat stress Image from UMN Extension

Strawberries Planted as crowns and spread by runners June-bearing varieties are the most successful in Oklahoma Mulch in mid-December to increase winter hardiness Avoid low areas Image from Oregon State University

Figs Brown Turkey or Celeste are hardy in Oklahoma Choose a protected location and mulch heavily to make it through winter May dieback and come back from the base Few pests diseases Image from Clemson Universtiy

Hardy Kiwis Grocery store kiwis are no hardy for Oklahoma, but other species do well Must have a male and a female Vining plants, trellising required HLA-6249 Kiwifruit Production in Oklahoma Image from Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences

Grapes Types: • Table • Wine • Muscadine Require trellising and training Annual pruning to maintain healthy canopy and fruit load Black rot is a major disease Image from University of Arkansas

Grapes Image from University of Missouri Extension

Grapes Image from Aggie Horticulture = Texas A&M University

Conclusion Home fruit tree production can be a rewarding venture, but it is a commitment! Nurture your trees, watch for disease issues, and have patience.

Thank you! Questions? Courtney DeKalb-Myers courtney.dekalb@okstate.edu 405-321-4774