Florida Fruit Trees

There's a lot to be said for growing your own fruit. Beside the enjoyment of growing things, you also get the benefit of picking fruit at its peak. Commercial fruit has to be picked early so that it looks ripe on the shelf, but that sometimes means it will lack flavor and nutrition. So, with your own fruit trees you end up with potentially better fruit with a huge money savings. You may even find yourself eating more fruit, and that's one way to be more healthy overall. There are a lot of fruits that thrive in the Mid-Florida area, with our warm climate and generous rains. Citrus fruits such as Oranges, Grapefruit, Limes and Lemons are obvious, but let's not forget Avocado, Bananas, Figs, Guava, Jackfruit, Japanese Persimmons, Loquats, Lychee, Mangoes, Mulberries, Papayas, Peaches, and Tamarind which all grow well in Florida. Many trees can take years of growth when starting from seed before producing fruit, but there are options for getting a harvest much sooner. You may choose to purchase a grafted tree that will produce fruit in the first year or buy mature trees that are already producing. Consider the schedule for mature fruit and you can plan a garden to produce nearly year round! There are some general fruit tree planting guidelines:

Plant your fruit trees where they will receive at least six hours of sun each day during growing season.
Make sure the sun is not blocked by buildings, fences or other shade.
Plant at least three feet away from sidewalks & driveways and six feet from buildings, to prevent a conflict between the tree's roots and any structure.
Plant with ten to fifteen feet of space between fruit trees.

Once you have decided the type of fruit you would like to grow and verified that there is enough sun and space, the next step is to choose varieties & rootstocks that are appropriate for your property. The idea is to choose varieties that are suitable for your climate to maximize your success. Once planted, there will be some general maintenance required to get the best result. The details will depend on what kind of trees you have planted.

Watering will be most important.
Mulching will help to retain moisture and reduce watering needs.
Fertilizing with a fruit tree specific plant food is also recommended.
Seasonal activities will include insect, pest & disease control, as needed.
Most fruit trees will require pruning, even if only to remove dead or damaged wood. Pruning will differ with each type of tree to ensure the best results.

Because each tree requires its own strategy for success, we strongly recommend contacting a professional, like the ones at here at Mid Florida Tree Service, to assist you in making the most out of each tree. Call us today at 813-986-2258.

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