10 Best Fruits to Grow in Maryland

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Get ready to add some delicious fruits to your Maryland garden with our expert-curated list. From apples to figs, we’ve got the perfect list of fruits for your backyard.

Don’t wait, let’s get growing!

Best fruits to Grow in Maryland

Maryland has a diverse climate and soil conditions that vary depending on the region, however, generally speaking, the state has a humid subtropical climate. This means that it has hot summers and mild winters.

 The state also has a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. This diversity of climate and soil conditions can affect what fruits can grow well in Maryland.

It’s important to consult with a local gardening expert or extension office for advice on what fruits will grow well in your specific location.

Here are 10 great fruits you can grow.

1. Apple

The apple (Malus domestica), is a beloved fruit known for its sweet taste and versatility in cooking and baking. Originally from Central Asia, it takes 7-10 years of growth before the tree is able to bear fruit.

Why Grow Apples?

Growing apple trees in Maryland can be a great addition to your garden due to its ability to thrive in the state’s climate. They are known for their hardiness, and can tolerate cold springs and cool fall months.

They are also relatively easy to care for and maintain, requiring little fertilizer or watering, and can grow in a variety of soil types.

Additionally, they can also be grown in pots, making them a versatile option for gardeners with limited space.

 Apple trees are productive and can provide a bountiful harvest, usually between late August and November. Hardy apple varieties can grow in growing zones 3-5

Maintenance and Care

 It is important to keep in mind that most apple varieties will need to be cross-pollinated, so consider how much space you have before choosing your trees.

Plant apple trees in early spring in light, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.

Apple trees in Maryland may be affected by diseases such as apple scab and fire blight, as well as pests like apple maggot and codling moth.

Here’s a growing guide for apple trees:

2. Cherry

Cherry tree (Prunus spp.) is a deciduous tree native to Europe, Asia and North America. It takes between 4-10 years to reach maturity.

Why Grow Cherries?

Cherry trees are a great option for Maryland gardeners as they come in various varieties that can fit your aesthetic and taste preferences.

Sour cherries are hardier and easier to grow in zones 4-6 and are self-pollinating. While sweet cherries require cross-pollination and are suitable for zones 5-8.

A cherry tree not only provides delicious fruits but also offers a stunning visual display during its spring blossoming.

Some popular varieties suitable for Maryland include Montmorency, North Star, Lapins, and Black Tartarian. The fruiting season is typically mid-summer.

Maintenance and Care

Planting cherry trees in well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight is essential for their growth and success.

Ensuring correct pollination, preventing root rot, adequate irrigation and fertilization, frequent pruning to shape and manage size, pest and disease monitoring, and mulching to preserve moisture and control weeds are all important for a successful cherry tree crop.

Common diseases and pests affecting cherry trees in Maryland include, cherry leaf spot, powdery mildew, black knot, and pests like the cherry fruit fly, cherry leafhopper, and cherry maggot.

Here is a guide for growing cherry trees:

3. Strawberry

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) is well-known for its distinct aroma, vibrant red color, juicy texture, and sweetness.

It was originally grown in northern Europe in the 18th century. On average, strawberries take around 3 months to grow from seeds to mature plants.

Why Grow Strawberries?

Strawberries are a delicious and easy-to-grow fruit in Maryland.

They require minimal care and are also a great crop for small-scale and part-time farmers, as they have a high value and can be grown in a variety of spaces.

In Maryland, the soil is acidic in most areas, making it ideal for growing strawberries.

The best strawberry varieties to grow in Maryland would be “Earliglow” and “Annapolis” for June-bearing cultivars, and “Tristar” for Day-neutral cultivars.

Additionally, strawberries are perennial, meaning you buy them once and they will grow every year.

Most varieties of strawberry plants self-propagate, and produce runners that can be used to create more plants.

Maintenance and Care

Planting strawberry plants in early spring in well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight and regular watering will help ensure a successful crop.

It is important to monitor for pests and diseases, and take action if needed.

Strawberry plants are shallow-rooted and very sensitive to water deficit or excess, so make sure to water adequately, about one inch per square foot per week.

Some common diseases and pests affecting strawberry plants in Maryland include verticillium wilt, red stele, powdery mildew, botrytis fruit rot, spider mites, aphids, and strawberry crown borers.

Some common insect pests are mites, aphids, whiteflies, spittlebugs, flower thrips, strawberry leafrollers, strawberry seed bugs, etc.

Here’s a guide to growing strawberries:

4. Blueberry

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is a perennial shrub native to North America, typically maturing in 2-3 years.

Why Grow Blueberries?

Growing blueberries in Maryland is a great way to enjoy fresh, sweet berries all summer long! Blueberries are a hardy, disease-resistant berry that is fairly easy to grow in Maryland’s temperate climate.

There are several varieties of blueberry that are native to Maryland, making them a great choice for gardeners in the area.

Blueberries provide many health benefits, such as being high in antioxidants and vitamins. Additionally, they are a great food source for early-season pollinators.

Maintenance and Care

To maintain healthy blueberry plants, it’s important to provide them with acidic soil, consistent water supply, full sun, annual pruning to remove dead, diseased, or weak branches, and plant at least two different varieties for increased fruit production.

 Keep an eye out for pests and diseases such as aphids, powdery mildew, and root rot and take appropriate action if necessary.

Here is a guide for growing blueberries:

5. Raspberry

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus), is a sweet and delicate bramble fruit native to Europe and Asia.

This perennial plant takes around 2-3 years to reach full maturity, yielding plump and juicy berries that are a favorite among fruit enthusiasts.

Why Grow Raspberries?

Growing raspberries in Maryland is a great idea because the state’s climate and soil conditions are well-suited for this fruit.

Raspberries are known for their good cold hardiness, making them a great choice for the colder Maryland winters.

They are also adapted to a wide variety of soils, meaning that they can grow well in many different types of soil found throughout the state.

Additionally, raspberries are known for their large fruit of excellent quality and for being erect, vigorous, and productive plants.

This means that once established, raspberry plants will yield large amounts of high-quality fruit for many years.

Maintenance and Care

To keep raspberry plants healthy and productive, maintain the bed weed-free, support the canes, prune old canes after fruiting, fertilize in early spring, protect the berries from birds with netting, provide adequate water, and mulch to keep the soil moist.

In Maryland, raspberry plants may be affected by diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf rust, and Verticillium wilt, as well as pests like aphids, Japanese beetles, and raspberry fruit worms.

Here is a guide for growing raspberries:

6. Blackberry

Blackberries (Rubus subg. Rubus) belong to the same genus as raspberries and are a well-known bramble plant.

It originated in Armenia and the plant usually takes about 3 years from planting to attaining maturity.

Why Grow Blackberries?

Maryland offers the perfect climate and soil conditions for growing succulent blackberries.

These hardy and adaptable brambles relish in the state’s warm summers and cool winters, producing plump and flavorful fruit.

Blackberries are known for their versatility in the garden, being able to grow in a variety of soil types from clay to sandy soils.

They are also a great crop for small-scale and backyard farmers, they are easy to maintain, and the return on investment is high.

Blackberries are a wonderful and eye-catching addition to any garden because to their thorny canes and glossy black fruit.

Maintenance and Care

Maintain a weed-free bed, stake the canes, remove dead or diseased ones after harvest, fertilize in early spring, net the berries to keep the birds away, water regularly, and mulch to retain soil moisture.

Watch out for pests such as aphids, Japanese beetles, and raspberry fruit worms, as well as diseases like powdery mildew, leaf rust, and Verticillium wilt.

Here is a guide to growing blackberries:

7. Pear

The Pear (Pyrus communis) is a delicate and delectable fruit native to Europe and Asia.

It takes 4-5 years to mature and bear fruit, but once it does it will continue to produce for many years.

Why Grow Pear?

Pears are a great option for Maryland growers as they can stand up to the state’s cold temperatures, drought and heat. They are also adaptable to different landscapes and can be grown in pots.

Pear trees are known for their delectable fruits, their beautiful leaves in the fall, and their prolific, white blooms in the spring.

They require a low amount of upkeep and begin bearing fruit in early summer

Dwarf types are an excellent choice for planting in areas with limited space. Varieties such as Honeysweet, Moonglow, Hosui, and Bartlett are all appropriate for the state of Maryland.

Maintenance and Care

 It’s recommended to grow them in full sun, moist, well-draining soil and mulch annually in spring. Pruning and avoiding over-fertilization will help prevent fireblight.

Pear trees are susceptible to pests such as aphids and diseases like fireblight, so it is important to take precautions such as proper pruning and avoiding over-fertilization to prevent these issues.

Here is a guide for growing pear trees:

8. Peach

The Peach (Prunus persica) is a fruit tree native to China, known for its delicate velvety skin and sweet, juicy flesh.

It matures in 2-3 years and is a fast growing tree, making it a great option for home gardeners looking to enjoy fresh peaches in a short period of time.

Why Grow Peach?

Peaches thrive in hot and humid climates like in Maryland, making it a suitable location to grow them.

They are also great for vertical gardening as they grow to be 10-15 feet tall with a slim circumference of 2-3 feet wide.

Peach trees bear fruit one to two years after planting and Maryland peaches are known to be delicious.

Some of the most beloved fresh peach varieties such as the Belle of Georgia and the Lemone Elberta can thrive in Maryland.

Maintenance and Care

When planting peach trees, it is important to use sandy, slightly acidic, well-draining soil in an area with full sunlight and to prune back branches for circulation and use fungicides and pesticides to keep pests and diseases at bay.

Some common diseases and pests that can affect peach trees include peach tree borer, brown rot, and peach leaf curl.

Here’s a guide to growing peach trees:

9. Plum

The Plum (Prunus domestica) is a vibrant fruit native to Europe and Asia.

Its deep purple skin gives way to a succulent and tart flesh that ripens to perfection in just a few short weeks.

Why Grow Plum?

Plum trees are a great option for growing in Maryland because they love the heat and produce fruit in early summer.

They are also resistant to most insects and diseases and do not require a lot of space to grow.

European plum types are self-fertile, although their lifespan is significantly less than that of Japanese and Damson varieties.

Plums can be left on the tree for extended periods of time without cracking, which allows for multiple harvests and causes the fruit to become progressively sweet.

Maintenance and Care

lum trees need sandy, well-draining soil, full sunlight, organic fertilizer, regular watering and pruning to produce a good crop. They do not tolerate overly wet conditions and may not do well in coastal areas.

Common diseases and pests that affect plums include brown rot, powdery mildew, and aphids.

Here’s a growing guide for plums:

10. Fig

Figs (Ficus carica) are a sweet and delicious fruit native to the Middle East. These trees can grow up to 30 feet tall and have a lifespan of up to 100 years.

With a maturity duration of around 3-5 years, figs are a worthwhile addition to any garden, producing fruit for years to come.

Why Grow Fig?

Figs are a great choice for Maryland gardeners because they are very pest resistant and not often damaged by animals such as deer and rabbits.

They can be grown inside or outside and do well in pots, making them low maintenance and not requiring pruning for fruit to grow.

Suitable fig varieties for Maryland include Celeste, Chicago, Violette de Bordeaux, White Marseilles, Brown Turkey, Black Spanish, Neverella, and Lattarulla.

They fruit in late spring to late summer, with some varieties even fruiting twice a year.

Maintenance and Care

They prefer fertile, loamy, neutral-to-slightly-acidic soil with plenty of organic materials and full sunlight. They should be watered once a week but not over-watered to avoid root rot.

Cold protection is important for colder climates.

Fig trees can be susceptible to certain issues such as fig rust, fig mosaic virus and fig wasps.

Here is a guide for growing figs:

What is the easiest-growing fruit in Maryland?

Some fruits that are known to be relatively easy to grow in Maryland include strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, pears, and apples.

What is the best time to grow fruits in Maryland?

The best time to grow fruits in Maryland is typically during the spring and summer months, from April to September.

FAQs

Quick Recap: Top Fruits to Grow In Maryland

Fruits	Why grow?
Apple	1. Easy to grow 2. Low maintenance 3. Good yield for many years
Cherry	1. Well-suited to the climate 2. Ornamental and good for the environment 3. Can grow in small spaces
Strawberry	1. Resilient 2. Easy to grow and affordable
Blueberry	1. Hardy, easy to grow, and long-lived 2. Ornamental 3. Do well in containers
Raspberry	1. Easy and quick to grow 2. Do well in containers
Blackberry	1. Wide varieties 2. Easy to grow 3. Little maintenance
Pear	1. Cold-hardy 2. Low-maintenance 3. Ornamental
Peach	1. Wide varieties 2. Plentiful producers 3. Can grow in small spaces
Plum	1. Good yield 2. Perfect for small gardens 3. Hardy
Fig	1. Easy to care for 2. Grow in small spaces

Bottomline

I hope this guide has been useful in helping you find the ideal fruits to grow in Maryland.

Don’t forget to spread the word and share this article with your friends and family in Maryland.