Fruits in NE Ohio?

[MamaHawk]

Hi all, I'm back!

I want to try my hand at various fruit trees/bushes/vines this spring and summer, and am trying to get a handle on what I shouldn't even bother with despite what the sellers say. Does anyone have any recommendations or warnings?

~Hawk

 

[Meadowlark]

In my view, the first thing is to list out what you like...in priority order 1,2,3,4...

Next, do your homework on what varieties on your list do well in your area. This should involve research online as well as talking to your neighbors.

From this you should be able to develop an informed plan. Don't try to do it all at once...take measured steps.

 

[oneeye]

I think the most important thing when buying various fruit trees/bushes/vines is to buy from local growers in your area. Don't buy trees from fancy nurseries in other states even if it's the same zone. When trees are not acclimated to a growing area they will disease much easier. Go to the nurseries in your area and shop around and start with a couple of trees and then add on every year. Good luck friend I hope have the success you want.

 

[MamaHawk]

Thanks @Meadowlark and @oneeye - I want to start small and wisely, so I appreciate the feedback! I just visited the most local nursery today and the man I talked to was very helpful and excited for me, which was great! I'll have to write out a list of priorities soon...I'm thinking:

Trees:
Cherries - we have a TON of natural cherries all around that produced a LOT of fruit last spring, I just don't know what kinds they are. But it makes me hopeful that they'd "stick" if I planted them!
Plums - I love plums and would love to have them handy
Nectarines - if I can!
Pears/Apples - I'd do either or both, I have to figure out which will do well, and where.

Ideally someday I'd also do almond or pecan trees, plus paw paw and maybe some kind of mulberry or elderberry tree. We have a peach tree on our neighbor's property we can pick from, so I'm less worried about one of those for now.

Berries:
Blueberries (no thorns!)
Strawberries
Raspberries (have a shoot from last year but I don't know if it survived the winter)
MAYBE blackberries - I get annoyed by the seeds
Some form of chokeberry or ground cherry, I really don't know what I like.

I don't know what rhubarb goes under, probably not fruit, but I forgot I wanted it last year so I really want it this year!

 

[Meadowlark]

Outstanding!! You are well on the journey; enjoy it!

p.s. wish I could grow rhubarb

 

[Adaa]

Hi all, I'm back!

I want to try my hand at various fruit trees/bushes/vines this spring and summer, and am trying to get a handle on what I shouldn't even bother with despite what the sellers say. Does anyone have any recommendations or warnings?

~Hawk

Just a heads-up, some fruit trees like peaches and plums can be tricky in colder climates, and vines like grapes need a lot of sun and space. Also, figs and citrus might be a challenge if you're not in a warmer zone. Just make sure you match the plant to your climate, or it could be a lot of effort for little reward

 

[Ruderunner]

Black berries, raspberries, mulberries grow wild in my part of NEO so they shouldn't be a problem. Heck you can get them for free if you keep your eyes open while driving back roads.

Blueberries and strawberries do ok, in fact there's a couple pick your own farms within a couple miles of me. One also has apples and I think peaches.

As for cherries and nuts, those are kinda long term things.

 

[MamaHawk]

Just a heads-up, some fruit trees like peaches and plums can be tricky in colder climates, and vines like grapes need a lot of sun and space. Also, figs and citrus might be a challenge if you're not in a warmer zone. Just make sure you match the plant to your climate, or it could be a lot of effort for little reward

Very true! We have a peach tree doing fine in our neighbor's tree lawn, so I'm less worried about growing my own. Plums though, I do want to grow, so thank you for the heads up! Grapes aren't a main interest but my husband might eat them, so I'll have to discuss with him. Figs have done well in local gardens, but I doubt I'd go for anything citrus - even mini-limes or mini-lemons don't interest me. At least I'm planning now so I don't panic when the season comes upon us!

 

[MamaHawk]

Black berries, raspberries, mulberries grow wild in my part of NEO so they shouldn't be a problem. Heck you can get them for free if you keep your eyes open while driving back roads.

Blueberries and strawberries do ok, in fact there's a couple pick your own farms within a couple miles of me. One also has apples and I think peaches.

As for cherries and nuts, those are kinda long term things.

You're more right than you realize - I had to (painfully) remove a thriving mulberry from the edge of our patio because the root system was already messing up the bricks. It was a good 7-8 foot by then too

I'll see what happens with cherries and nuts, I'm torn between "better to start early" and "wait until you know what you're doing"...we'll see what the budget and the extension office say! We do have a LOT of local cherries, I was shocked but pleased because they were EVERYWHERE for a bit and really tasty! So maybe I'll try to figure out what types those are and go from there.