Top Tips For Fruit Gardening

When it comes to gardening, the basic concepts are easy to grasp. Make sure that you keep your plants well taken care of, keep them watered, make sure they're getting enough light, keep them free of pests, etc. A lot of it is common sense, but it never hurts to have a few extra tips on hand for taking care of your fruit garden. Whether you're a seasoned gardening pro or a greenhorn green thumb beginner, here's a few ideas for your fruit garden that you should keep in mind as you plant, maintain, and harvest the literal fruits of your labor.

Patience is key, especially if you're growing fruit trees; it's not uncommon for fruit trees to take several years before you have success with them. Very much unlike regular seasonal fruit plants, you should prepare for a long term care investment because it will pay off in the long run when you can enjoy the fresh fruit of your choice on a hot summer's day.

Peach tree. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On top of not bearing fruit right away, some trees will have “off” years and not bear fruit at all. Keep track of how often these fruitless years occur and plan accordingly.I know you've probably heard enough about waiting for your fruit, but you should also remember not to pick too early. If your fruit seems too firm, leave it on the branch or vine a little longer to ripen up. Not only do ripened fruits taste better and have a fuller flavor, they're also better for you! Ripened fruits have more natural fruit sugars (which results in that mouth watering sweet flavor) and are also rich in antioxidants as well. Waiting to pick helps you feel as good as it tastes! On the flip side, make sure not to wait too long to pick your fruits or they could end up overripe and, eventually, inedible.

Finally, make sure to check your fruits regularly to avoid disease or infestation. The last thing you want after you've worked so hard on your garden is to have someone or something else feasting on the rewards! Be sure to check for common signs of insect or animal damage and be sure to make a note of signs that something may be wrong with your plants, like discoloration of the leaves, or a lack of proper growth. A healthy garden is a happy garden. If your plants get sick, aren't receiving proper nutrients, or are attacked by wildlife or insects then you could end up with nothing to show for all of the effort you put into your fruit garden.

Gardening of any kind is a time consuming effort, but successful fruit growers will tell you it's worth it. You'll know from the first time that you sink your teeth into a fresh, juicy strawberry or crisp apple that it was totally worth the days and weeks you spent making sure that your garden turned out perfect!

The 5 Best Fruits for Beginner Gardeners

The delicious taste of fresh fruit on a warm spring or hot summer's day can be one of the best things in the world, but let's face it, not everyone knows how to grow it well. In fact for many of us who don't have a background in farming or gardening, it can seem like a difficult task to grow even the simplest of crops even with a basic or easy to tend garden - let alone tackling tricky fruits. The good news, however, is that there are plenty of fruits out there that are easy to grow, giving even beginner gardeners a great place to start and get used to gardening even if they don't have much or any experience with t to begin with.

Here's a list of the five best fruits to start with as a beginner gardener - or anyone new to growing fruit:

1. Strawberries – Good on shortcake but even better ripe and sweetly warm from the sunshine fresh from the garden. Strawberries are easy to plant and just as easy to maintain, making them a top choice for gardeners who are just getting started. You don't have to be a pro to grow and enjoy these delicious berries in a garden bed or balcony planter.

2. 

   Summer berries. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

   Raspberries/Blackberries – A summertime staple, raspberries and blackberries are delicious straight from the vine, baked into a pie, or turned into a jelly or jam with your morning toast. These berries in particular are hardy and easy to grow, but may take some special maintenance or you run the risk of the thorny vines overtaking more than their allotted space. Make sure to pick up a pair or clippers or trimmers and a good pair of gloves and you should be fine.

3. Tomatoes – Is it a fruit or a vegetable? Science says fruit and gardeners say easy! These delicious, juicy red fruits are great in a salad or stewed into a tasty tomato sauce for Italian cooking. With the wide range of available gardening accessories you can grow tomatoes even if you don't have a lot of space by using hanging planters.

4. Blueberries - If you want a fruit you can enjoy near the end of summer then blueberries have your back! All you need is some acidic soil to grow them in (it's what they like best and you can get organic acidifying agents at your local home improvement or gardening center) and you've got delicious blueberries for all of your tasty fruit pies and jams!

5. Goji Berries – You may have heard of them before, as they are often considered a “superfood” with all kinds of natural, healthy properties. Goji berries are incredibly hardy, growing even in harsher hot or cold climates, which makes them easy to grow even if you live a little north or south of ideal growing conditions for other kinds of fruit and even in windy, coastal areas. Just make sure they have a spot they can enjoy the sun in and you're good to grow!

If you find yourself having trouble getting a handle on more difficult fruits, give these a try and you're sure to be enjoying delicious, fresh fruit in no time!