Quick Answer: Best Fruits to Grow in Missouri
The best fruits to grow in Missouri are blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, pears, apples, plums, grapes, and figs. The best seasons to grow fruits in Missouri are spring and summer.
This article is tailored for individuals in Missouri who are interested in cultivating fruits.
I will cover the top 10 fruits that are suitable to grow in the state, detailing the advantages of growing them, as well as providing helpful maintenance advice.
Let’s begin!
Contents
Best Fruits to Grow in Missouri
The climate and soil of Missouri are suitable for growing a variety of fruits. The state has a moderate climate with warm summers and mild winters, which is ideal for fruit tree growth.
The soil in Missouri is varied, with clay, loam, and sandy soils all present, each of which can support different types of fruit trees. The state generally receives enough rainfall to support fruit trees and has a long growing season, enabling the cultivation of a wide range of fruits.
When deciding on which fruit variety to grow, it’s essential to consider the specific soil and climate conditions of your location.
Here is a list of the top 10 fruits that are well-suited for growing in Missouri.
1. Blackberry
Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) are a type of bramble plant that originates from Armenia. It typically takes about 3 years for a blackberry plant to reach maturity from the time it is planted.
Why Grow Blackberry?
Blackberries are a popular fruit to grow in the home garden because they are versatile, hardy, and easy to care for.
Missouri is in hardiness zone 5 and 6, which is perfect for blackberry cultivation.
The state has a moderate climate and a variety of soil types which are well-suited for blackberry growth.
Many different types of blackberries can be grown in Missouri, including thornless varieties and newer, disease-resistant varieties.
Maintenance and Care
Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for planting your blackberry bushes. Prune your bush annually to maintain its shape and encourage fruit production.
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer, such as one with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Keep in mind that blackberries require a support system such as trellis or fencing for proper growth.
In Missouri, blackberries can be affected by pests like Japanese beetles and aphids, as well as diseases like powdery mildew and verticillium wilt.
Here is a guide to growing blackberries:
2. Blueberry
Blueberries (Vaccinium meridionale) are a popular fruit crop grown in Missouri, known for their sweet, juicy blue berries. They develop slowly but can produce fruit after 3 years of planting and keep producing for many years.
Why Grow Blueberries?
Owing to their resilience and longevity, these plants are an excellent option for gardeners in the state of Missouri.
People who want to add some ornamental value to their garden while also enjoying a plentiful harvest may want to consider growing blueberries in Missouri. This is a terrific option for those people.
These plants can also be grown in pots, making them excellent for growing in small gardens or on patios because of their size and portability.
Bluecrop, Duke, and Blue Jay are a few examples of blueberry types that do exceptionally well in the environment of Missouri.
Maintenance and Care
To ensure proper growth and fruit production, it is important to provide your blueberries with well-drained soil, regular watering, and acidic fertilizers.
Additionally, it’s important to maintain shape and air circulation through regular pruning and to plant at least two different varieties for proper pollination.
Common pests and diseases that affect blueberries in Missouri include powdery mildew, botrytis, twig blight, fruit rot, and Japanese beetles.
Here is a guide for growing blueberries:
3. Raspberry
Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) are a popular berry crop that are native to North America. They are known for their sweet, red or black berries. They grow quickly and can bear fruit within the first year of growth.
Why Grow Raspberries?
Missouri has a growing tradition of raspberry cultivation and a large number of growers in the state.
Raspberries are a great option for home gardeners, as they are hardy, easy to grow, and can provide a bountiful harvest for many years.
Since they can be cultivated either in the ground or in containers, they are well-suited for use in spaces such as patios and small gardens.
The Heritage, Fall Gold, and Anne raspberry types are all highly recommended for growing in the state of Missouri.
Maintenance and Care
When growing raspberries, ensure proper pollination by planting at least two different varieties, maintain shape and air circulation through regular pruning, provide well-drained soil and regular watering, and use fertilizers specifically formulated for berries
Common diseases and pests affecting raspberries in Missouri include powdery mildew, botrytis, cane blight, fruit rot, and aphids.
Here is a guide for growing raspberries:
4. Strawberry
Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) are a beloved berry crop known for their sweet and juicy red fruits.
The process of growing strawberries from seeds to mature plants typically takes around three months.
Why Grow Strawberries?
Growing strawberries in Missouri can provide a bountiful harvest for many years. They are a great option for small gardens or patios and can be grown in containers or in the ground.
They are also easy to grow and can be grown in a variety of soil types, and are a great option for home gardeners in Missouri.
Not only are they delicious and can be enjoyed fresh, but they are also versatile in the kitchen and can be used in jams, jellies, pies, and more.
Popular strawberry varieties to grow in Missouri include Chandler, Allstar, and Earliglow.
These varieties are known for their high yields and disease resistance, making them well-suited for Missouri’s climate.
Maintenance and Care
When growing strawberries, it’s important to keep the soil consistently moist and to provide proper fertilization and mulching.
Regularly removing runners, the long stem that grows from the mother plant, can help to prevent overcrowding and maintain a healthy plant.
Proper pruning and training of the plants also help to improve air circulation and fruit production.
Common diseases and pests affecting strawberries in Missouri include leaf spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, fruit rot, and aphids.
Here’s a guide to growing strawberries:
5. Peach
Peaches (Prunus persica) are a sweet and juicy fruit that are native to China and are widely grown in Missouri.
They are known for their delicious taste and versatility in the kitchen. They can be eaten fresh, canned, or used to make jams and jellies.
Why Grow Peach?
Peach trees in Missouri have the potential to yield fruit for many years.
Due to their resistance to disease and the fact that they can thrive in a wide range of soil conditions, these trees make an excellent choice for people who garden at home.
Peach types like as Elberta, Redhaven, and Reliance are quite common in the state of Missouri.
These types are well-known for their large yields as well as their resilience to disease and their ability to withstand cold.
Maintenance and Care
When growing peaches, it’s important to provide proper fertilization, irrigation, and pruning.
Peach trees need well-drained soil and regular water supply to grow healthy and produce a good harvest.
Proper pruning is essential to maintain the shape and health of the tree, and it’s also important to thin the fruit when necessary to avoid overcrowding.
Common diseases and pests affecting peaches in Missouri include peach leaf curl, brown rot, and pests like aphids and mites.
Here’s a guide to growing peach trees:
6. Pear
The pear tree (Pyrus communis L.) has its origins in Europe and Asia. It can take several years (around 3-10) for the tree to reach maturity and bear fruit.
Why Grow Pear?
Pear trees are well-suited to the climate and soil conditions of Missouri, making it a great state for growing pears.
Pears are a low-maintenance crop that can easily be trained to grow in small spaces, and they can add beauty to any orchard with their delicate blossoms in spring.
Pear trees are also known for their hardiness and durability, which makes them well-suited to Missouri’s climate.
They are able to tolerate cold temperatures and are resistant to many common diseases and pests. This can make them a more sustainable crop to grow.
Maintenance and Care
To obtain maximum fruit yield, it is essential to provide pear trees with well-draining soil and ample sunlight.
Basic care such as mulching and pruning also play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the tree. The same maintenance techniques used for apples can also be applied to pears.
Common diseases and pests affecting pear trees in Missouri include fire blight, pear scab, and pear psylla.
Here is a guide for growing pear trees:
7. Apple
Apple trees (Malus domestica) can take 7-10 years to mature and bear fruit. Dwarf apple trees may bear fruit as early as 2-3 years after planting. Apples are native to Central Asia.
Why Grow Apples?
Missouri has a moderate climate with cold winters and warm summers, which makes it an ideal location for apple cultivation.
The state has a long history of apple growing, with commercial orchards dating back to the 1800s.
One of the main reasons to grow apples in Missouri is the variety of cultivars that are well-suited to the state’s climate, including Winesap, Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Jonathan.
Another benefit of growing apples in Missouri is the high yield potential of apples. Additionally, apple trees are relatively easy to maintain, and with proper care, can live for 60 years or more.
Maintenance and Care
When growing apples in Missouri, it’s important to choose a location with loam soils that have low acidity and good drainage. The tree should also receive at least 6 to 8 hours of summer sun.
Additionally, it is important to plant several apple cultivars that flower simultaneously close to each other to allow for easy cross-pollination.
After planting, top dress with a liberal amount of compost and mulch, leaving room around the tree’s base to prevent stem rot.
Common concerns when growing apples in Missouri include pests such as apple maggots, plum curculios, green fruit worms, and codling moths, as well as disease issues such as apple scab, Marssonina leaf blotch, black rot canker, and powdery mildew.
Here’s a growing guide for apple trees:
8. Plum
The plum (Prunus domestica) or common plum is a deciduous tree native to Europe which takes 3-6 years to reach maturity after planting.
Why Grow Plum?
One of the benefits of growing plums in Missouri is that there are a variety of cultivars that do well in the state.
The most common varieties include Stanley and Damson, but there are also newer varieties with improved shelf life and excellent flavor.
Plums are a resilient tree that can tolerate various pests and diseases making them ideal for backyard gardening.
They are also a great choice for small gardens as they are simple to harvest and manage, also they produce similar quantity of fruit as peaches.
Maintenance and Care
Choose a location for your plum tree that receives full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight.
Planting in low areas where frost may settle can cause damage to your trees.
Plums are especially vulnerable to spring frosts because they flower so early, and it may affect the blooms.
Common concerns when growing plums in Missouri include diseases such as silver leaf disease and honey fungus, as well as pests such as Japanese beetles, plum aphids, and plum moths.
Here’s a growing guide for plums:
9. Grape
Grapes are a fruit from the Vitis genus, come in various types, and are originally from the Middle East.
It takes 2-7 years for seed-grown vines to bear grapes depending on the variety.
Why Grow Grape?
Growing grapes in Missouri can be a great way to enjoy fresh fruit and make wine.
Missouri’s climate and soil conditions are ideal for grape cultivation. Some popular grape cultivars for Missouri include: Concord, Catawba, and Niagara.
Grapes are also low maintenance and easy to care for, making them a great option for backyard gardeners.
They can be trained to grow on trellises or arbors.
Grapes are easy to grow, produce a good harvest, attract beneficial insects, and enhance the aesthetics of your garden. They can grow in various soil types and not just the fruits but the grape leaves are also edible and nutritious.
Maintenance and Care
it’s important to choose a location for your grape vines that receives full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Proper pruning and training of the grapevine is also essential for a healthy crop.
Common concerns when growing grapes in Missouri include diseases such as powdery mildew, black rot and pests such as Japanese beetles and grape berry moth.
Here’s a guide to growing grapes:
10. Fig
Figs (Ficus carica) are a type of plant that belong to the mulberry family.
They have their origins in the Middle East and Western Asia and take about 3-5 years to fully mature and start producing fruits.
Why Grow Figs?
Growing figs in Missouri is a viable option because the state’s summers are often warm and humid, which are good circumstances for the plant’s development and growth.
Cultivars such as ‘Brown Turkey’ and ‘Celeste’ are particularly well-suited for the Missouri climate and soil.
Additionally, figs are relatively easy to maintain and can be grown in small gardens, making it a great option for those with limited gardening space.
Maintenance and Care
To successfully grow figs in Missouri, it is important to place them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, plant them in spring, prune them in late winter or early spring.
Fertilize them twice a year, water them regularly and provide protection from the hot sun during the hottest part of the day.
Common diseases and pests that may affect fig trees in Missouri include fig rust, fig mosaic virus, and fig fruit fly.
Here is a guide for growing figs:
What is the easiest growing fruit in Missouri?
One of the easiest fruit to grow in Missouri is strawberries due to their hardiness and ability to grow well in a variety of soil types, as well as their relatively low maintenance requirements.
What is the best time to grow fruits in Missouri?
Missouri’s fruit growing season is late spring through early fall. Strawberries can be grown in April and harvested in May or June.
Peaches and plums mature late spring and summer. Apples and pears are planted in autumn and harvested late summer or early fall.
FAQs
Almost every temperate zone fruit tree can be grown in Missouri, including apricots, cherries, plums, nectarines, peaches, apples, and pears.
The pawpaw, also known as the pawpaw or paw-paw, is a native tree notable for the fruit it grows from late summer to early October.
Growing citrus in Missouri can be challenging due to cold winters. Protection or indoor/greenhouse growing may be necessary. Grafting onto hardier rootstock may increase cold tolerance but yields may be low.
Quick Recap: Top Fruits to Grow In Missouri
| Fruits | Why grow? |
|---|---|
| Blackberry | 1. Wide varieties 2. Easy to grow 3. Little maintenance |
| 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 |
| Strawberry | 1. Resilient 2. Easy to grow and affordable |
| Peach | 1. Wide varieties 2. Plentiful producers 3. Can grow in small spaces |
| Pear | 1. Cold-hardy 2. Low-maintenance 3. Ornamental |
| Apple | 1. Easy to grow 2. Low maintenance 3. Good yield for many years |
| Plum | 1. Good yield 2. Perfect for small gardens 3. Hardy |
| Persimmon | 1. cold hardy and self-fruitful 2. disease and pest-hardy 3. Can grow in small spaces and variety of soils |
| Grape | 1. Easy to grow 2. Plentiful producers |
| Fig | 1. Easy to care for 2. Grow in small spaces |
Bottomline
I hope this guide has been useful in determining which fruits you can grow in Missouri.
Please feel free to send us any comments or questions you may have. Finally, share this post with your Missourian friends and family.