What a great feeling it is to pick a plump pear, sweet peach or juicy apple right off your own tree!

Late March and April is the best time to plant fruit trees. Here are some quick tips and general information to help you choose the variety best for your growing environment and most of all enjoyment!

Know Your Area

If you have a large yard, apples, peaches, and pears will work well. These are larger trees and require about 8’ of spacing between. Dwarf trees or berry bushes in containers will work great for smaller yards. Apples and pears do well in the Midwest as they require cold weather for dormancy.

Pollination

Be aware of which fruit trees need cross pollination and which trees are self pollinators. For apples, Wealthy and Yellow Delicious varieties are considered the best pollinators. Red and Yellow Delicious will pollinate each other. Some varieties of cherries (Stella Sweet, Lapin Sweet and North Star Sour), apricots, peaches, and plums are self pollinating. Check with your local Earl May expert if you are not sure about which trees need 2 varieties to cross pollinate.

When can I eat? 

Fruit trees need to become established before they bear any fruit. Generally standard apple trees will bear fruit the 3rd or 4th season. Dwarf trees might be a season earlier. Apricots and peaches tend to produce in the 2nd or 3rd. You may have to wait until the 3rd year for sour cherries and plums.

Protect against most disease and insect problems by treating with Earl May's Fruit Tree Spray - it's so simple to use, as little as 1.5 tablespoons per application, and mixes with water instantly.

Thinking ahead to harvesting? Check out our tips on When to Harvest Fruits. Learn more about pruning on our Tips for Pruning Young Fruit Trees as well.