Spring is a time of renewal and growth, and what better way to celebrate the season than by starting a garden filled with delicious and nutritious fruit? Whether you have a large backyard or a small patio, there are plenty of options for cultivating your own spring fruit during the spring months. In this guide, we will explore some of the best ways on how to prepare your seasonal fruit garden for spring, what are the best fruits to plant in spring, and how to maintain your yard.
How To Prepare Your Seasonal Fruit Garden for Spring
With the spring season on its way, it’s time to start preparing your garden for the upcoming months.
Cleanout
After winter, it’s important to clean out your garden of any debris that may have been left over from the season. This includes old leaves and branches, weeds, and other dead plants. This is an important phase as it will help prevent any pests or diseases from taking hold in the garden.
Prune Your Trees and Shrubs
During winter, it is nearly impossible to maintain regular pruning practices. However, once the spring months arrive, it is important to do a thorough pruning of any trees and shrubs in your garden.
Prepare the Soil
Preparation and inspection of soil is an essential part of gardening and is important for the success of your garden. Make sure to use a soil testing kit to ensure that your soil has the correct pH and nutrients for the plants you will be growing.
Inspect Your Tools To Use
Once your garden is prepped for spring, it’s time to inspect your tools. Make sure your gardening tools are in good condition and ready to use, as this will make gardening easier and more enjoyable.
Setup New Garden Beds and Planters
If you don’t already have garden beds or planters, spring is the perfect time to set up new ones. Beds should be eight to 12 inches deep and filled with nutrient-rich soil. Planters should be placed in a sunny spot and regularly monitored for water levels and pests.
What To Plant in Your Spring Fruit Garden
Now that preparation is complete, the next step is to choose what springtime fruits to plant. Here are some spring fruit options that can be planted in your garden:
Best Spring Fruits That Are Easy To Maintain/Low Maintenance
- Pear Tree
- Cherry Tree
- Lemon Tree
- Plum Tree
- Peach Trees
- Dragon Fruit
- Fig Trees
- Achacha Fruit Trees
Best Spring Fruits — High Yielding Plants
- Dwarf Apple
- Blueberry
- Raspberry
- Honeyberries
- Mulberries
- Cherries
How To Start Seeds for Your Spring Fruit Garden
Starting seedlings is a great way to get a head start on your spring fruit garden. Finding the right containers and potting mix is essential. Additionally, use natural light or grow lights to ensure that the seedlings have enough light to thrive. After transferring the seeds, make sure to water regularly and monitor for any signs of pests or diseases. Move seedlings outdoors gradually as you don’t want to shock them with too much direct sunlight or colder temperatures than they are used to.
How To Plant Your Spring Fruit Garden
For a general spring fruit garden guide, you can follow these easy steps:
- Choose the spring fruits you would like to plant. Consider in-season spring fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apricots, peaches, and plums.
- Once you have a list of spring fruits that you would like to grow, research specific varieties that are suitable in your area.
- Prepare the soil by adding nutrients and amendments, such as compost or manure, prior to planting.
- Ensure that spring fruit plants get plenty of sunshine and water. If you are growing in containers, be sure to check the soil moisture level daily.
- Try companion planting with spring fruits for better pollination and pest control. Plant spring fruits with other spring vegetables, herbs, or flowers.
How and When To Harvest Your Spring Fruit Garden
There is a so-called maturation age for fruits that grow in spring. When spring fruits are ripe, they should be picked from the tree or bush so that the plant can focus its energy on producing more spring fruits. However, maturation depends on what type of spring fruit you have planted. For example, tomatoes generally take around 60 to 100 days to mature, while spring fruits like strawberries can be ready for harvest in as little as four to six weeks. In general, mid July to September is the spring fruit harvesting season and it is best to pick fruits when they are ripe for optimal flavor.
When harvesting, be sure to do so carefully and use proper harvesting tools. Ripe spring fruits should be picked gently by hand or with the help of pruning shears for larger spring fruits. It is important to harvest spring fruit on time, as overripe spring fruit can spoil quickly.
Things To Remember When Planning and Working in Your Spring Fruit Garden
Now you have the idea of what fruits to plant in spring fruit garden, here are some of the most important things to remember when planning and working in your spring fruit garden:
- Frost Date: Most of the time, the last frost date takes place in April or May. It is important to keep an eye on the weather before planting in order to ensure that your spring fruits have ample time to mature before cold temperatures arrive.
- Watering: Make sure to water your fruit plants depending on frequency recommended or required for the type of spring fruit.
- Pruning: Prune plants to remove dead or diseased branches and ensure better air circulation, light penetration, and higher yield potential in your spring fruit garden.
- Pest and Disease Control: Monitor for signs of pests or diseases and take appropriate action when necessary.
- Harvesting: Ensure that you harvest your spring fruits at the optimum time, to prevent spoilage and wastes.
- Fertilizing: Give your spring fruit plants an extra boost by fertilizing them with organic compost or manure prior to planting and at regular intervals throughout the season.
- Weeds: Control weeds in your spring fruit garden by hand-pulling, mulching, or using an appropriate weed killer.
The Bottom Line
Spring fruits in season planting can be enjoyable and rewarding as long as you are aware of the specific needs of spring fruits, and plan your spring fruit garden accordingly. With proper planning and care, you can have a successful spring fruit garden that will provide you with delicious spring harvesting!