Low maintenance fruit trees to grow in your backyard 

Fruit trees are known to be high maintenance but that’s not true. There are lots of fruit trees that are easy to grow and are low maintenance as well. By growing fruit trees in your garden, you get fresh fruits to consume. Growing fruit trees in your backyard has environmental benefits as well.

Low maintenance fruit trees to grow in your backyard 

1. Figs

Figs grow best in fertile well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. Figs grow best when they are planted in a location that gets full sunlight. These trees are frost hardy tolerating temperatures up to -12°C. They start to bear fruits in the second year.

2. Pomegranate

Pomegranates grow well in warm weather conditions and can tolerate frost upto -11°C. They grow best in well-draining loamy soil conditions. It can take up to 4 to 5 years for pomegranate to produce fruits. Pomegranate grows best when temperatures are between 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F).

3. Apple 

Apples grow best in well-draining loam soil. These trees cannot tolerate heavy soil that has waterlogging conditions. Apple trees grow best in full sun so plant them in a location that gets sunlight throughout the day. Apple trees start to produce fruit in the fourth year. These trees grow best when temperatures are between 21 to 24°C ( 70 to 75°F)

4. Peaches

Peaches need full sunlight to grow. They grow best in fertile well-draining soil conditions. Peaches will start to bear fruit after 2 to 4 years. Peaches are not frost tolerant and can be damaged by spring frosts. They should be protected during this time. Peaches grow best when temperatures are between 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F).

5. Apricots

Apricots require well-draining fertile soil that is slightly alkaline. They grow best in full sunlight. They grow best in climates with wet winters and dry summers. From the fourth or fifth year, apricots start to produce fruit. The optimum temperature for apricots to grow is between 18 to 30°C (64 to 86°F).

6. Lemons 

Lemons prefer warm climates. They can grow best in well-draining fertile soil. It can take more than 3 years to produce fruits. Lemons grow best when temperatures are between 24 to 29 °C (75 to 84°F)

7. Mulberry

It can take up to 10 years for mulberry to produce fruit. The grafted varieties can start to produce fruits sooner. Mulberry requires rich, well draining, moisture-retentive soil to grow well. They grow best when they get full sunlight but can tolerate some shade as well. Mulberries grow best when temperatures are between 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F).

8. Blueberries

Blueberries grow best in fertile well-draining acidic soil conditions. Blueberries grow well when they get full but can also tolerate partial shade. Blueberries start to produce after 2 to 3 years. The optimum temperature for blueberries to grow is between 15 to 30°C (59 to 86° F).

9. Mango 

Mangoes grow best in warm, frost-free climatic conditions. They prefer soil that is rich, well-draining soil. It can take about 4 to 6 years for a mango tree to produce fruits. Mangoes grow best when temperatures are between 21 to 29°C (70 to 84°F).

10. Jujube

Jujube trees start to produce after 4 to 5 years. These trees grow best in well draining sandy loam soil that is slightly acidic. These trees are resilient to several pests and they thrive in hot summer conditions. The optimum temperature for jujube to grow is between 10 to 38°C ( 50 to 100°F).

11. Blackberries

Blackberries are drought-tolerant trees, but they cannot tolerate frost. They grow best in fertile well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. It can take about 2 to 3 years for blackberry to produce fruit. The optimum temperature for blackberries to grow well is between 21 to 27°C (70 to 80°F).

12. Cherries

Cherries require fertile well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to grow. Cherries cannot stand very hot summers, so grow them in a location that gets partial shade. They cannot tolerate frost either. It can take up to 3 to 4 years for cherries to produce fruits. The best temperature for cherries to grow is between 15 to 25°C (59 to 77°F).

Read more:

1. Best fruit trees to grow in containers.
2. Best organic fertilizers for fruit trees.
3. Best companion plants for fruit trees.
4. Organic pesticides for fruit trees.