Quick Answer: Best Fruit Trees to Grow in Idaho
The best fruit trees to grow in Idaho are apples, peaches, cherries, apricots, pears, plums, nectarines, crabapples, mulberries, and figs. It is preferable to plant these trees in early spring to help the roots establish themselves and produce huge harvest.
Are you planning to grow fruit trees in Idaho?
Then, check out this guide to help you pick the best fruit trees to grow in your Idaho home gardens.
Keep reading to know more!
Contents
- Quick Answer: Best Fruit Trees to Grow in Idaho
- Best Fruit Trees to Grow in Idaho
- What Is The Easiest Growing Fruit Tree In Idaho?
- What Is The Best Time To Grow Fruit Trees In Idaho?
- FAQs
- Quick Recap: Top Fruit Trees to Grow In Idaho
- Bottom line
Best Fruit Trees to Grow in Idaho
Idaho exhibits varied climates throughout the state. The two dominant climate types are maritime climates in the winter and continental climates in the summer.
Growing fruit trees in Idaho can be rewarding. But, it is important to choose fruit trees suitable for different regions of home gardens.
Next, let us examine the different fruit trees that can be grown in Idaho home gardens in detail.
1. Apples
Cold Hardy Fruit Tree Of Idaho
Apples (Malus domestica) are cold hardy fruit trees that grow reliably well in Idaho and make a perfect addition to the garden.
Why Grow Apples?
Different varieties, including Liberty, Lodi, McIntosh, and Spartan can adapt to different regions of Idaho.
It is one of the last fruit trees to bloom and can fit into any garden space. It can handle different soil types.
Maintenance And Care
Apple trees prefer well-drained loamy soils with neutral to slightly acidic pH. Plant them away from the frost pocket in spring and place them about 15-20 feet apart.
All varieties require another compatible variety to cross-pollinate and set fruits. Crab apples can also be used as pollinators.
Prune regularly while dormant to maintain open structure and control size. It is prone to powdery mildew, scab, and rust.
You may watch this video for tips on growing and caring apples:
2. Peach
Rewarding Fruit Tree Of Idaho
Another rewarding fruit tree that can be grown in Idaho with winter protection is the peach (Prunus persica).
Why Grow Peach?
The cold hardy varieties of peach thrive in the fruit-growing region of southwestern Idaho and the lower Clearwater river drainage as they can be easily damaged by frost in other regions.
It is perfect for backyard gardens as it does not need cross-pollination. Also, dwarf varieties are available for small spaces.
Maintenance And Care
Plant peach on well-drained and light-textured soils with neutral to slightly acidic pH. Avoid planting in low-lying frost-prone areas.
It can be propagated through softwood cuttings. Most varieties are self-fruitful and require only one variety to produce fruits.
Prune them every year to maintain vigor and control size. Peach leaf curl, brown rot, and peach tree borer can be devastating to the tree.
Check out this video for more information on peach:
3. Cherries
A productive and attractive fruit tree that can flourish in Idaho home gardens and gives edible delicious fruits are cherries (Prunus spp).
Why Grow Cherries?
Tart cherries are more cold-hardy and are suitable for growing in most Idaho locations while sweet varieties can survive only in southern Idaho.
It will reward you with bountiful harvests with proper care. It is adaptable to different soil conditions and adds landscape beauty to your garden.
Maintenance And Care
Cherry trees grow best in full sun and well-drained soils. Most tart varieties are self-fruitful and require only one cultivar to produce fruits while sweet varieties require cross-pollination.
Space sour types about 15-20 feet while sweet varieties are 20-25 feet apart. It thrives under a thick, cool mulch and requires little fertilizer.
It is subject to several diseases, including black knots, brown rot, and powdery mildew.
The complete growing guide of cherries is covered here:
4. Apricots
Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) are the earliest blooming fruit trees that can survive in Idaho home gardens with some winter protection.
Why Grow Apricots?
Different cold hardy varieties, including Harcot, Moongold, Sungold, and Plumcot can be grown in southwestern Idaho.
The state’s cool winters provide chilling hours for the apricots to flourish. The compact varieties are suitable for urban dwellers with little space. It can also be grown against the wall.
Maintenance And Care
Apricots prefer well-drained, light to medium-textured soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH. Plant them away from frost pockets on slopes. It is propagated via grafting or budding.
It is self-fertile but experts recommend planting two varieties to ensure a good fruit set. Prune young trees in early spring and established trees in summer.
It is prone to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, and bacterial canker.
Check out this video for growing apricots:
5. Pears
Pears (Pyrus spp) are easy-to-grow and productive fruit trees of Idaho due to their adaptability to climate and soil conditions.
Why Grow Pears?
Different cultivars, including Seckel and Bartlett, can grow in different regions of Idaho because of their rich soil and mild, dry climate.
It is easier to grow and is less bothered by pests and diseases. Dwarf varieties are suitable for small spaces and containers. Also, it is easy to maintain once established.
Maintenance And Care
Pears thrive in deep, well-drained soils and away from frost pockets. It requires two cultivars to cross-pollinate and produce fruits.
Space standard trees about 20-25 feet apart and dwarf trees about 12-15 feet apart. Prune the trees lightly to remain productive and dwarf types to a central leader system.
Fire blight can be a problem in these regions.
Click this video for additional information on growing pears:
6. Plum
Plums (Prunus domestica) are versatile fruit trees that are small-sized and perfect for Idaho home gardens.
Why Grow Plum?
Both American and European cultivars can survive in Idaho. It is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions and types. It is prolific and suitable for small spaces.
Also, it is suitable for beginners as it requires little care once established. It produces a large amount of fruits on a relatively small tree.
Maintenance And Care
Plums perform well on deep, well-drained soil and abundant sunlight. Blue plums are self-fertile while other varieties are not.
The standard trees need 18-20 feet apart while dwarf types require 6-8 feet of spacing. Fertilize early in spring and prune in late spring depending on the variety.
The main insect pest to watch for are plum curculio, plum moth, and sawflies.
Here is a video for pointers on growing plums:
7. Nectarine
Nectarines (Prunus persica var nucipersica) are another stone fruit tree that can be grown in Southern Idaho due to the favorable climatic conditions.
Why Grow Nectarine?
Nectarines are fast-growing fruit trees and provide bountiful yields for the family in a few years. It does well in the unique climate of Idaho.
It requires little care once established and can be attractive in landscapes. It can be fan-trained against the wall or containers.
Maintenance And Care
Plant nectarines in free-draining yet moisture-retentive soil and full sun away from cool low-lying areas. Most cultivars are self-fertile and require only one variety to produce fruits.
Space standard trees about 18-20 feet while dwarf varieties require 7-8 feet of spacing. Prune heavily after the trees bear.
It is susceptible to brown scales, peach leaf curls, and squirrels.
Check out this video on growing nectarines:
8. Crabapple
Crabapples (Malus spp) are one of the hardy fruit trees grown in Idaho for its tart fruits that are good for making jams and jellies.
Why Grow Crabapple?
Crabapples can adapt to Idaho’s climate and different soil conditions. It adds beauty to your garden with white or pink blossoms all year round.
Its compact size makes it an ideal tree for small yard space. It can handle drought once established.
Maintenance And Care
Crabapples thrive in loamy clay or loamy sandy soil with a pH between 6-8. Plant them at a good distance away from other large trees and buildings to ensure good air circulation.
Use natural mulch around the soil to keep the soil intact. Practice regular annual pruning to remove dead branches.
It is subject to many diseases, including fireblight, rust, scab, and powdery mildew.
You may watch this useful video on growing crabapples:
9. Mulberries
Mulberries (Morus spp) are deciduous, fast-growing fruit trees of Idaho home gardens that are long-lived bearing edible berries.
Why Grow Mulberries?
Mulberries grow at a fast rate and perform well in Idaho home gardens under ideal conditions. It is long-lived producing berries for many years once established.
It is resistant to fewer pests and diseases. Also, it is adaptable to heat, drought, cold, and poor soils, and provides shade with its dense foliage.
Maintenance And Care
Mulberries prefer abundant sunlight and well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. Plant them away from sidewalks as the berries may stain.
Prune the trees in winter or early spring to control growth and remove dead branches. It is prone to borers, aphids, or popcorn disease
Also, it can be protected from birds by covering the plants with netting or fleece.
Check out this video for tips on growing mulberries:
10. Figs
Figs (Ficus carica) are popular fruit trees that thrive in Idaho with insulation from freezing temperatures for its tasty fruits.
Why Grow Figs?
Figs can survive in Idaho’s climatic conditions with proper summer and winter care.
Its compact structure makes it compatible with containers and can be brought indoors during winter. Its scented foliage makes an attractive addition to your garden.
Maintenance And Care
Plant fig trees in early spring or late fall when the tree is dormant. It prefers well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter and full sun.
Space the trees at least 20 feet away from other trees. Apply a layer of mulch around the trees to retain moisture.
It requires little pruning during the dormant season to remove dead or diseased branches. Wrap the tree in winter with plastic wrap.
Pay close attention to root-knot nematodes, leaf spots, rust, and thrips.
The complete growing guide of figs is covered here:
What Is The Easiest Growing Fruit Tree In Idaho?
The easiest-growing fruit tree in Idaho home gardens is apples.
Different varieties of apples can be grown in Idaho home orchards due to the favorable terrain, climate, and volcanic soil.
It can be grown throughout the state as it is hardy. Two cultivars are enough to reward you with bounty yields.
The other fruit trees that can be grown in Idaho’s climatic conditions are peach and cherry.
What Is The Best Time To Grow Fruit Trees In Idaho?
The best and perfect time to plant fruit trees in Idaho is early spring after the last frost date between March and May. It helps roots to establish themselves before it is shocked by summer heat.
Also, do not plant in winter as fruit trees require a period of dormancy. Few gardeners prefer to plant in the fall between early September and late October.
FAQs
Boise falls in the agricultural growing zone of 7a or b. The different fruit trees that grow in these regions is apples, crabapples, pear, peach, nectarines, apricots, plums, and cherry. It is preferable to plant these fruit trees in early spring.
The order of bloom in Idaho is apricots, Japanese plums, peaches, oriental plums, Italian plums, pears, cherries, and apples. The chill hours required by apricots are 300-900 hours, peaches are 350-1200 hours, pears are 200-1500 hours, and apples are 250-1700 hours.
Idaho is the USDA planting zones ranging from 3b in the easternmost tip of the state to 7b in the mid-western regions. It has a four-season climate and unpredictable weather throughout the year. Its diverse gardening zone allows many fruit trees to grow.
Quick Recap: Top Fruit Trees to Grow In Idaho
Here is a quick recap of the top fruit trees that can survive in Idaho home garden.
| Fruit trees | Why Grow? |
|---|---|
| Apples | 1. Different cultivars suitable for Idaho’s climate and soil 2. Adaptable to different soil types |
| Peach | 1. Rewarding and productive to grow in Idaho 2. Dwarf varieties suitable for small spaces |
| Cherry | 1. Tart varieties suitable for the climatic conditions of Idaho 2. Both productive and ornamental |
| Apricots | 1. Idaho’s climate is suitable for growing apricot tree 2. Easy to grow in containers and against the wall |
| Pears | 1. Suitable for Idaho’s climate and fertile soil 2. Troubled by fewer pests and disease |
| Plums | 1. Productive and fast-growing fruit tree 2. Takes up a small space and is suitable for beginners |
| Nectarine | 1. Favorable climatic conditions in Idaho 2. Abundant yield and appropriate for containers |
| Crabapple | 1. Both attractive and edible fruits 2. Suitable for the climatic condition of Idaho |
| Mulberries | 1. Fast-growing and adapt to tough climatic conditions 2. Relatively troubled by fewer pests and diseases |
| Figs | 1. Can survive in Idaho with winter care 2. Compatible with containers |
Bottom line
Hopefully, this guide has highlighted certain pointers in choosing suitable fruit trees to grow in your Idaho home gardens.
Please do write to me with any queries regarding growing fruit trees in Idaho. I will respond as soon as I can.
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