Use winter to plan for a fruit garden

Winter is a time for togetherness and rest before spring. It’s also a great time to look ahead and make plans for new garden ventures.

“A perennial fruit garden is a great project with years of benefits,” Bruce Black, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator said. “Proper planning and set up can give you decade’s worth of fresh produce.”

Begin by looking at the landscape and deciding if and how much space is available for new additions. Tree fruit, such as apples, peaches and cherries, need more space than small fruits, such as kiwis, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Those with limited space can consider container fruits.

Next, consider the site. Fruit plantings prefer a full-sun, fertile location. Planting in an elevated or sloped site helps with water drainage and air circulation. A windbreak helps tree fruits in the winter and keeping the planting out of low-lying areas helps to avoid frost pockets.

“Make sure you pick a convenient location close to a water source,” Black said. “If it is out of sight, gardeners may not prioritize its maintenance, or prefer not to walk to a distant site in the heat of the summer.”

Doing a soil test provides a baseline of nutrients and pH. Amendments can be made as needed for fruit crop varieties.

Avoid areas that may have had Verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungus that can affect more than 300 plant species. Verticillium wilt reduces fruit yields and causes wilting, stunting and killing of plants. Plants may be infected for a while before symptoms are visible. Try not to plant in areas where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, melons, okra, beets or roses have been planted within the past three to five years.

The final step in planning a fruit garden, is plant selection. Cultivars should be adapted for USDA Zone 5, or colder, for Northern Illinois and Zone 6, or colder, for Southern Illinois. Look at local garden centers, nurseries and national fruit stock retailers for cultivars and necessary cross-pollinator cultivars.

“While you are researching and planning, feel free to contact the Extension office in your county with any questions,” Black said. “Master Gardener volunteers and staff are happy to provide guidance and recommendations.”

For information on fruit garden planting, including fruit-specific information and cultivar recommendations, visit University of Illinois Extension’s Small Fruit Crops for the Backyard website at web.extension.illinois.edu/fruit/index.cfm.