Many varieties of fruit and fruit bushes thrive within the low desert of Arizona and are surprisingly straightforward to develop with the suitable selection and care. This Arizona Fruit Planting Information gives planting dates and important rising ideas for 25 varieties of fruit that do properly in our local weather. With the right combination of bushes, it’s potential to get pleasure from contemporary fruit out of your backyard almost year-round.
The low desert consists of areas beneath 3,500 toes in elevation, such because the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas and different elements of the Southwestern U.S. with related rising circumstances.
When selecting deciduous fruit bushes, take note of their chill hour necessities—the variety of hours between 32°F and 45°F wanted to set fruit. Within the low desert, choose varieties that require 400 chill hours or fewer. All varieties listed on this information meet that requirement. Take into account that hotter winters could scale back chill hours, which may result in variable fruit manufacturing from yr to yr.
Useful Assets for Rising Fruit in Arizona’s Low Desert:
For those who’re seeking to develop fruit efficiently within the low desert, these posts will information you each step of the best way:
How one can Label Fruit Timber – Always remember what you planted—use these labeling tricks to keep organized season after season.
What to Plant for 12 months-Spherical Fruit Tree Harvests – Get impressed by a seasonal planting plan so that you all the time have one thing to reap.
How and Why to Skinny Fruit Timber – Thinning helps guarantee wholesome fruit and prevents department breakage—be taught when and learn how to do it.
When and How one can Prune Fruit Timber – Timing and approach matter. This publish explains one of the simplest ways to prune for productiveness and form.
How one can Create a Permaculture Meals Forest – Design a layered, sustainable fruit-growing system that thrives in a desert local weather.
Natural Fruit Tree Fertilizing in 4 Easy Steps – Be taught the yearly fertilizing schedule and what your fruit bushes want to remain wholesome.
Planting Naked Root and Container Fruit Timber: A Step-by-Step Information – Whether or not you’re planting in winter or spring, observe this information for a robust begin.
Thriving Edible Perennials for the Low Desert – Uncover which low-maintenance perennials add magnificence and productiveness to your backyard.
Click on on the fruit identify to go on to that fruit:
Apple
How one can Develop Apples in Arizona:
Apples can thrive within the low desert in the event you select low-chill varieties. With correct pruning and care, they produce crisp, scrumptious fruit in late spring or early summer time.
Styles of apple bushes that develop properly in Arizona:
Anna – Self-fruitful (200 hours)
Beverly Hills – Self-fruitful (300 hours)
Ein Shemer – Self-fruitful (100 hours)
Gordon – Self-fruitful (400 hours)
Golden Dorsett – Self-fruitful (100 hours)
The perfect time to plant apple bushes in Arizona: Fall or spring when planted from container crops. Naked root bushes needs to be planted in January or early February.
Months to reap: June by way of September, relying on selection.
Suggestions for rising apple bushes in Arizona:
Fertilize and prune earlier than bud break.
Prune flippantly, eradicating solely ⅓ of limbs.
Skinny fruit to 1-2 per bunch after fruit set.
Apricot
How one can Develop Apricots in Arizona:
Apricots are well-adapted to Arizona’s local weather and ripen early—typically earlier than summer time warmth hits. Select low-chill sorts and shield blossoms from late frosts.
Styles of apricot bushes that develop properly in Arizona:
Gold Kist – self-fruitful (300 hours)
Katy – self-fruitful (400 hours)
Modesto – self-fruitful (300-400 hours)
Blenheim (Royal) – self-fruitful (400 hours)
The perfect time to plant apricot bushes in Arizona: Fall or spring when planted from container crops. Naked-root bushes needs to be planted in January or early February.
Months to reap: Could – June
Suggestions for rising apricot bushes in Arizona:
Fertilize and prune earlier than bud break.
Fertilize month-to-month in the course of the rising season.
Skinny apricots to at the least 2 inches aside as quickly as potential after fruit set.
Asian Pear
How one can Develop Asian Pears in Arizona:
Asian pears mix the crisp texture of apples with the sweetness of pears. They develop properly in full solar with minimal illness points and want thinning for greatest fruit dimension.
Styles of Asian pear bushes that develop properly in Arizona:
Shinseiki – self-fruitful (350-400 hours)
Yakumo – pollinator required (450 hours)
Finest time to plant Asian pear bushes in Arizona: Fall or spring when planted from container crops. Naked root bushes needs to be planted in January or early February.
Months to reap: Could by way of June, relying on selection.
Suggestions for rising Asian pears in Arizona:
Fertilize and prune earlier than bud break.
Fertilize month-to-month in the course of the rising season.
Skinny pears to at the least 4 inches aside as quickly as potential after fruit set.
Banana
How one can Develop Bananas in Arizona:
Bananas can develop in sheltered microclimates within the low desert. They want wealthy soil, frequent watering, and safety from frost and excessive summer time solar.
Varieties that develop properly in Arizona:
Rajapuri, Dwarf Cavendish, Dwarf Orinoco
Finest time to plant:Late spring or early summer time, after soil warms
Months to reap:12–18 months after planting, relying on circumstances
Suggestions:
Take away suckers to direct vitality to fruiting stalk.
Finest grown in protected courtyards or close to block partitions for heat.
Mulch closely and water constantly.
Arizona Fruit Planting Information: A Visible Information for Low Desert Fruit
Blackberry
How one can Develop Blackberries in Arizona:
Blackberries develop as thornless or thorny canes and produce juicy, candy fruit in early summer time. Plant in wealthy soil with afternoon shade for greatest ends in Arizona.
Styles of blackberries that develop properly in Arizona:
Brazos – thorny; massive berries; heavy yield
Rosborogh – massive, candy fruit
Finest time to plant blackberry transplants in Arizona: February – March and October
Months to reap: Begins in early Could
Suggestions for rising blackberries in Arizona:
Water incessantly when younger. As soon as established, water deeply. Water extra incessantly throughout dry/scorching climate, when flowering, and when fruit is ripening.
Fertilize in early March and in late July.
Blackberry canes are biennial. The canes are fruitless the primary yr, after which bear fruit the second yr, and die after fruiting. Take away all fruiting canes in June after harvest.
Cherry (Together with Barbados Cherry)
How one can Develop Cherries in Arizona:
Conventional cherry bushes may be difficult to develop within the low desert as a consequence of chill hour necessities and sensitivity to warmth, however low-chill varieties like ‘Minnie Royal’ and ‘Royal Lee’ could succeed with care. Barbados cherry, alternatively, is a tropical, heat-loving shrub that grows properly in Arizona and produces small, vitamin C-rich fruit with minimal fuss.
Styles of cherries that develop properly in Arizona:
Minnie Royal and Royal Lee (require cross-pollination)
Barbados Cherry – Additionally referred to as acerola cherry; not a real cherry however an excellent various for desert gardeners
Finest time to plant cherries in Arizona:Late fall by way of early spring, when temperatures are delicate and roots can set up earlier than summer time warmth.
Months to reap:
Conventional cherries: Could to early June
Barbados cherry: A number of harvests from late spring by way of fall
Suggestions for rising cherries in Arizona:
Conventional cherries require low-chill hours (300–400) and want safety from intense solar and drying winds.
Plant Minnie Royal and Royal Lee collectively for cross-pollination.
Present afternoon shade and constant moisture throughout blooming and fruiting.
Barbados cherry thrives in full solar, tolerates excessive warmth, and advantages from some frost safety when younger.
Prune Barbados cherry flippantly to form and encourage branching; shield each sorts from birds when fruiting.
Citrus
How one can Develop Citrus in Arizona:
Citrus is a staple in Arizona gardens because of its warmth tolerance and year-round greenery. Select varieties primarily based on harvest time to get pleasure from fruit from fall by way of spring.
Styles of citrus that develop properly in Arizona: Almost all varieties do properly within the low desert of Arizona. Calamondins and kumquats are essentially the most chilly hardy; lemons and limes are the least.
Finest time to plant citrus in Arizona: (normally mid to late February). Citrus may be planted from this time by way of Could. Don’t plant citrus from June by way of September. A second planting window for citrus happens within the fall, from October to December.
Months to reap: Late fall by way of early spring relying on selection.
Suggestions for rising citrus in Arizona:
Newly-planted citrus is extra vulnerable to frost and desires frost safety.
Fertilize mature citrus on Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
Heavy pruning needs to be executed after hazard of frost is handed.
Paint uncovered bark to guard from solar.
Learn this text for extra details about learn how to develop citrus in Arizona.
Date
How one can Develop Dates in Arizona:
Date palms are completely fitted to the desert—they love warmth and low humidity. You’ll want each a female and male tree for fruit manufacturing and loads of house.
Styles of dates that develop properly in Arizona: Date Palm
Finest time to plant date bushes in Arizona: Spring and fall
Months to reap: Summer time
Suggestions for rising dates in Arizona:
Timber are massive, rising to 100 toes tall and broad.
Get broken at temperatures beneath 18°F.
Arizona Fruit Planting Information: A Visible Information for Low Desert Fruit
Fig
How one can Develop Figs in Arizona:
Figs thrive in Arizona’s scorching, dry local weather and are almost foolproof as soon as established. They produce candy fruit in summer time and sometimes once more in fall.
Styles of figs that develop properly in Arizona:
Black Mission – massive, long-lived tree
Brown Turkey – higher in increased elevations (2000-3000 toes)
Conadria – tolerates warmth properly
White Kadota – scorching climate helps ripen
Finest time to plant fig bushes in Arizona: Early spring and fall
Months to reap: Could and late fall
Suggestions for rising fig bushes in Arizona:
Hardy to 10°F.
Fertilize container bushes with aged manure in January.
Timber develop very massive however may be pruned for dimension or grown in containers.
Learn this text for extra details about learn how to develop figs.
Goji Berry
How one can Develop Goji Berries in Arizona:
Goji berries are hardy shrubs that tolerate warmth and alkaline soil, producing small, nutritious berries. They develop greatest with full solar and average water.
Finest time to plant goji berries in Arizona: Spring and fall
Months to reap: Spring and late fall
Suggestions for rising goji berries in Arizona:
Berries type on the present yr’s wooden.
Pruning encourages new progress and retains the plant open for mild and air circulation.
Crops start producing at 2 years outdated and attain most manufacturing after 3-5 years.
Grapes
How one can Develop Grapes in Arizona:
Grapes love Arizona sunshine and may be skilled on arbors or trellises. Select varieties that ripen earlier than the monsoon season for greatest outcomes.
Styles of grapes that develop properly in Arizona:
Thompson Seedless – traditional inexperienced grape, thrives in full solar, nice for drying into raisins
Ruby Seedless – pink, candy, and crisp; wants warmth to totally develop taste
Magnificence Seedless – early ripening; good for contemporary consuming, prefers heat however not excessive warmth
Flame Seedless – vigorous and productive; wonderful in scorching, dry climates just like the low desert
Finest time to plant grape transplants in Arizona: February 15 – March and October
Months to reap: July – August
Suggestions for rising grapes in Arizona:
Roots go 2 toes deep; plant in wealthy soil.
Water slowly, deeply, and often. Through the summer time, water each 7 to 10 days.
Fertilize mature grapes in February and Could.
Discover ways to prepare and prune.
Look out for Western grape leaf skeletonizer; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt.) to manage.
Learn this text for extra details about learn how to develop grapes.
Floor Cherry
How one can Develop Floor Cherries in Arizona:
Floor cherries are small, husk-covered fruits with a tropical taste. These heat-loving annuals develop simply from seed and make an excellent addition to summer time gardens.
Styles of floor cherries that develop properly in Arizona:
Aunt Molly’s – candy, citrus taste; nice for jams and snacking
New Hanover – tropical style; bigger fruit; loves warmth and solar
Plant seeds indoors: December – January and Could – JunePlant transplants open air: February 15 – March and July 15 – September
Months to reap: Could – July and October – November
Suggestions for rising floor cherries in Arizona:
Seeds are gradual to germinate. Begin seeds indoors 6 – 8 weeks earlier than planting.
Crops develop massive; present help.
Floor cherries are prepared to reap once they fall to the bottom.
Learn this text for extra details about learn how to develop floor cherries.
Arizona Fruit Planting Information: A Visible Information for Low Desert Fruits (continued)
Jujube (Chinese language Date)
How one can Develop Jujubes (Chinese language Dates) in Arizona:
Jujubes are extremely drought- and heat-tolerant bushes that produce crisp, apple-like fruit. As soon as established, they require little or no care and thrive in poor soil.
Styles of jujube (Chinese language date) that develop properly in Arizona:
Li – massive, spherical fruit; candy and crisp contemporary
Lang – greatest dried; firmer and extra tart than Li
Sherwood – late ripening; flavorful and fewer liable to cracking
Finest time to plant jujube in Arizona: Fall or spring
Months to reap: Late summer time to fall
Suggestions for rising jujube in Arizona:
Hardy to -20°F.
House bushes 15-30 toes aside, relying on selection.
Deciduous; has thorns.
Enable fruit to drop for harvest.
Drought tolerant.
Doesn’t want further fertilizer.
Prune in winter whereas dormant.
Loquat
How one can Develop Loquats in Arizona:
Loquats are enticing evergreen bushes that produce candy, tangy fruit in early spring. They’ll develop in Arizona with afternoon shade and frost safety.
Varieties that develop properly in Arizona:
Massive Jim, Gold Nugget, Champagne
Finest time to plant:Fall or early spring
Months to reap:March to Could
Suggestions:
Could not produce reliably yearly in colder microclimates.
Present afternoon shade and shield from exhausting frosts when younger.
Water deeply throughout fruit improvement.
Moringa
How one can Develop Moringa in Arizona:
Additionally referred to as the drumstick or miracle tree, moringa thrives in warmth and poor soil. It’s grown for its edible leaves, pods, and flowers and makes an excellent addition to edible landscapes.
Varieties that develop properly in Arizona:
Moringa oleifera is most typical and broadly tailored
Finest Time to plant:Spring, as soon as soil is heat
Months to reap:Leaves and pods may be harvested all through the nice and cozy season
Suggestions:
Requires frequent harvesting to maintain manageable.
Quick-growing; may be grown as a tree or pruned right into a shrub.
Very frost-sensitive—regrows from roots after delicate freezes.
Mulberry
How one can Develop Mulberries in Arizona:
Mulberries are fast-growing, low-maintenance bushes that thrive within the warmth and alkaline soils of the low desert. As soon as established, they’re drought-tolerant and produce abundantly with minimal care.
Styles of mulberries that develop properly in Arizona:
Pakistan Mulberry – Massive, candy, seedless fruit with an extended harvest season.
Black Mulberry – Smaller tree with wealthy, flavorful fruit.
White Mulberry (Morus alba) – Much less standard for fruit, however very heat-hardy.
Persian and Shangri-La are additionally good choices.
Finest time to plant mulberries in Arizona:Fall or spring, as soon as the chance of frost has handed or earlier than summer time warmth units in.
Months to reap:April to June, relying on the range and climate circumstances.
Suggestions for rising mulberries in Arizona:
Hardy in USDA Zones 7–10; properly fitted to the low desert.
Full solar is greatest for optimum fruit manufacturing.
Mulberries hardly ever want fertilizing as soon as established—an excessive amount of nitrogen can scale back fruiting.
Prune in late winter to form and management dimension; they will develop massive rapidly.
Birds love the fruit—take into account netting or solely planting the place fallen fruit gained’t be a difficulty.
Most varieties are self-fruitful (no second tree wanted for pollination).
Olive
How one can Develop Olives in Arizona:
Olives thrive within the low desert’s dry warmth and alkaline soil. These evergreen bushes are decorative and drought-tolerant, producing fruit that have to be cured earlier than consuming.
Varieties that develop properly in Arizona:
Arbequina, Arbosana, Koroneiki, and Mission are standard selections
Select self-fruitful or pair appropriate varieties for greatest yields
Finest time to plant:Fall or early spring
Months to reap:September to November, relying on selection
Suggestions:
Fruit drop can stain pavement—plant rigorously.
Full solar, wonderful drainage, and minimal water as soon as established.
Prune to keep up dimension and enhance airflow.
Passionfruit
How one can Develop Passionfruit in Arizona:
This tropical vine produces aromatic flowers and sweet-tart fruit. It grows vigorously in heat climate and advantages from afternoon shade and constant moisture.
Edible fruit varieties that develop properly in Arizona:
Frederick and different purple passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) are greatest suited
Finest time to plant:Spring, after the hazard of frost
Months to reap:Late summer time into fall, typically starting the second yr
Suggestions:
Pollination could enhance with a number of vines.
Wants a robust trellis or fence to climb.
Defend from frost and scorching solar whereas younger.
Learn this text for extra details about learn how to develop ardour flower vine.
Peach
How one can Develop Peach Timber in Arizona:
Peaches develop very properly in Arizona when low-chill varieties are chosen. Prune yearly and skinny fruit to forestall department breakage and enhance dimension and taste.
Styles of peach bushes that develop properly in Arizona:
Bonanza Miniature – freestone, self-fruitful (250 hours or much less)
August Delight – freestone, self-fruitful (300 hours or much less)
Babcock – freestone, self-fruitful (250-300 hours)
Desert Gold – clingstone, self-fruitful (250 hours)
Desert Pink – clingstone, self-fruitful (275 hours)
Earligrande – semi-freestone, self-fruitful (275 hours)
Eva’s Delight – freestone, self-fruitful (100-200 hours)
Florida Prince – semi-freestone, self-fruitful (150 hours)
Floridagrande – semi-freestone (lower than 100 hours)
Could Delight – freestone, self-fruitful (175-200 hours)
Mid-Delight – freestone, self-fruitful (250 hours)
Tropic Magnificence – freestone, self-fruitful (100-200 hours)
Tropic Snow – freestone, self-fruitful (175-200 hours)
Vallegrande – semi-freestone, self-fruitful (250 hours)
Tropic Candy – freestone, self-fruitful (100-200 hours)
The perfect time to plant peach bushes in Arizona: Fall or spring when planted from container crops. Naked-root bushes needs to be planted in January or early February.
Harvest months: April by way of August, relying on the range.Suggestions for rising peach bushes in Arizona:
Prune earlier than bud break in January.
Fertilize after the blossoms end.
Skinny peaches to 4-6 inches aside as quickly as potential after fruit set.
Learn this text for extra details about learn how to develop peaches.
Pear
How one can Develop Pears in Arizona:
Sure styles of pear do properly within the low desert with correct chill hours. Like apples, they profit from common pruning and thinning to enhance fruit high quality.
Styles of pears that develop properly in Arizona:
Floridahome – partly self-fruitful (400 hours)
Keiffer – self-fruitful; greatest for cooking (350 hours)
Finest time to plant pear bushes in Arizona: Fall or spring; when planted from container crops. Naked root bushes needs to be planted in January or early February.Months to reap: April – August
Suggestions for rising pear bushes in Arizona:
Fertilize and prune earlier than bud break.
Skinny pears to at the least 4 inches aside as quickly as potential after fruit set.
Fertilize month-to-month throughout rising season.
Persimmon
How one can Develop Persimmons in Arizona:
Persimmons are stunning, low-maintenance bushes that ripen within the fall. Search for non-astringent varieties like ‘Fuyu’ for candy, crisp fruit proper off the tree.
Styles of persimmon that develop properly in Arizona:
Fuyu – self-fruitful (200 hours)
Large Fuyu – self-fruitful (200 hours)
Izu – smaller tree; self-fruitful (100 hours)
Finest time to plant in Arizona: Fall or spring; when planted from container crops. Naked root bushes needs to be planted in January or early February. Persimmon may be harder to develop from naked root.
Months to reap: Late fall
Suggestions for rising in Arizona:
Timber could take 7 years to bear fruit.
Harvest fruit whereas agency; will soften indoors.
Prune little, if in any respect.
Doesn’t want fertilizer.
Skinny heavy crops.
Tolerates temperatures to 10°F.
Arizona Fruit Planting Information: A Visible Information for Low Desert Fruit
Pineapple Guava
How one can Develop Pineapple Guavas in Arizona:
Pineapple guava is a frost-tolerant evergreen shrub that produces aromatic flowers and candy, tropical-flavored fruit. It advantages from afternoon shade in hotter areas.
Styles of pineapple guava that develop properly in Arizona:
Apollo – massive fruit; self-fruitful (200–300 hours)
Coolidge – dependable producer; self-fruitful (100–200 hours)
Nazemetz – compact; self-fruitful (200–300 hours)
Pineapple Gem – small tree; self-fruitful (200 hours)
Finest time to plant in Arizona: Spring and fall
Months to reap: Between September and January, relying on selection.
Suggestions for rising in Arizona:
Massive shrub or small tree, as much as 15 toes tall.
Grows properly in containers.
Drought tolerant.
Evergreen shrub.
Prune solely flippantly as wanted after fruiting.
Plum
How one can Develop Plums in Arizona:
Plums want cautious selection choice and pruning to carry out properly within the low desert. Many Japanese sorts do greatest, and a few want a pollinator for good fruit set.
Styles of plums that develop properly in Arizona:
Magnificence – self-fruitful (250 hours)
Gulf Gold – self-fruitful (250 hours)
Gulf Ruby – self-fruitful (250 hours)
Methley – self-fruitful (250 hours)
Santa Rosa – self-fruitful (300 hours)
Finest time to plant plum bushes in Arizona: Fall or spring; when planted from container crops. Naked root bushes needs to be planted in January or early February.
Months to reap: Could – June
Suggestions for rising plum bushes in Arizona:
Fertilize and prune earlier than bud break in January.
Fertilize month-to-month throughout rising season.
Skinny plums to at the least 2 inches aside as quickly as potential after fruit set.
Water bushes properly till established.
Pomegranate
How one can Develop Pomegranates in Arizona:
Pomegranates are desert superstars—stunning, drought-tolerant, and productive. Their tart-sweet fruit ripens in late summer time to early fall.
Styles of pomegranates that develop properly in Arizona:
Balegal – massive fruits with pale pink pores and skin; candy flavored flesh; hardy to zone 7.
Crab – medium to massive fruit with bronze pores and skin; tart however wealthy taste; productive.
Early Great – massive fruits with skinny pink pores and skin; tart taste; very productive.
Granada – medium fruit with crimson pores and skin; semi-sweet; matures early; hardy to zone 7.
Candy – medium fruit with pink pores and skin; inexperienced pores and skin with pink flush; very candy; productive; bears at a younger age.
Utah Candy – medium-sized fruit with pink pores and skin; candy taste and mushy seeds; pink flowers.
Great – massive fruits with pink pores and skin; tangy, flavorful, mushy seeds; massive pink flowers; productive. This selection grows properly within the low desert of Arizona.
Finest time to plant pomegranate bushes in Arizona: Spring and fall
Months to reap: October – December
Suggestions for rising pomegranates in Arizona:
Give pomegranates loads of solar.
Feed pomegranates with a layer of compost within the spring.
Prune flippantly all year long as wanted.
Learn this text for extra details about learn how to develop pomegranates.
Strawberry
How one can Develop Strawberries in Arizona:
Strawberries are greatest grown as a cool-season crop in Arizona. Plant in fall for spring harvests and supply afternoon shade as temperatures rise.
Styles of strawberries that develop properly in Arizona:
Camarosa – agency, flavorful; early producer; heat-tolerant
Chandler – juicy, candy; excessive yields; greatest in delicate winters
Sequoia – wealthy taste; good for dwelling gardens; everbearing in heat climates
Tioga – massive fruit; productive; good for contemporary consuming and freezing
Finest time to plant strawberry transplants in Arizona: September 15 – January
Months to reap: April – June
Suggestions for rising strawberries in Arizona:
Chances are you’ll have to plant new crops every year. Arizona summers are very exhausting on strawberry crops.
Strawberries in Arizona want afternoon shade.
Learn this text for extra details about learn how to develop strawberries.
Extra Planting Guides for the Low Desert of Arizona
Discover these specialised planting guides, every created that will help you develop efficiently in Arizona’s distinctive local weather:
Vegetable Planting Information – Visible planting recommendation for rising greens within the low desert.
Herb Planting Information – Be taught the perfect occasions to plant, develop, and harvest all kinds of culinary and medicinal herbs.
Flower Planting Information – Planting home windows and ideas for reduce flowers, pollinators, and wildflowers that thrive in desert gardens.
Vine Planting Information – Steerage on when and learn how to plant climbing greens, flowering vines, and heat-tolerant climbers.
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