JOHNSTON COUNTY HOME HORTICULTURE

Fruit and Nut Tree
Tips and Considerations
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Site Selection
    Proper site selection is critical in growing healthy, productive fruit plants. All fruit plants offered produce best in full sun. Blueberries are the most shade tolerant of the fruit plants available, and will produce even at 50% shade.
    Good air circulation will help reduce disease occurences. Plant all plants well away from buildings and tall trees. Avoid low lowing areas, or frost pockets, in order to protect spring blossoms.
    Good drainage is essential for all fruit plants. If you have poorly drained soil but wish to grow fruit plants, create raised beds using railroad ties, landscape timbers, or a similar material, or simply mound soil. Beds need to be at least 12" deep.

Soil Testing
    Once you select the site, take a soil sample and submit it to NCDA-Agronomic Division for analysis. Test results will advise you on the amount of lime and nutrients which need to be applied. Most fruit plants perform best at pH of 6.0, except blueberries which need a more acidic soil.
    It is important to incorporate lime and nutrients into the soil at the time of planting. Information on soil testing, forms, and boxes can be obtained from the Johnston County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension Service. Soil testing is completely free and results are sent directly to you!

Nematode Testing
    Nematodes are microscopic round worms which can adversely affect plant health. Soil samples can be submitted to NCDA for nematode testing at a cost of $2 per sample. Figs and peaches can be severely affected by high nematode populations. Populations are highest on sandy soils. If you are considering growing peaches or figs, and have sandy soil, a nematode test is recommended.

Pollination
    Apples, pears, blueberries, and pecans require more than one variety for fruit set. Be sure to order at least two varieties of these fruit plants.

For More Information:
When deciding which fruit plants to grow in your home garden be sure to think about the following:
       - Do you have an appropriate site - full sun, well drained soil.
       - Maintenance requirements: pest management; training and pruning requirements; irrigation.
       - Do you have space for plants to mature.
       - What is your pH? Do you need lime or nutrients? Have you taken a soil test?

Care instructions are available at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Johnston County at 806 North Street Smithfield, NC 27577.   For more information, consult the following publications online.

Horticulture Information Leaflets:
Online at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hfruitnew.html
    8200 Blackberries for the Home Garden                  8206 Pruning and TRaining Thornless Blackberries
    8203 Muscadine Grapes in the Home Garden          8207 Growing Blueberries in the Home Garden
    8301 Growing Apple Trees in the Home Garden

Extension Bulletins:
Online at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/trfruit-index.html
     AG-30 Growing Peaches in NC                              AG-28 Producting Tree Fruit for Home Use
     AG-29 TRainig and Pruning Fruit Trees                AG-81 Growing Pecans in NC
Following bulletins are not online, but are available at the Extension Office:
     AG-15 Grapes and Berries for the Garden              AG-80 Growing Pears in NC
     AG-109 Fig Culture in NC                                    AG-614 A Gardeners Guide to Soil Testing

You may also call our office and speak to a Master Gardener Volunteer to help you answer your gardening questions. Call us at 919-989-5380.

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