Hello everyone!

My name is Matthew, I recently started gardening about two summers ago... nothing major at first but I just always wanted to give it a try.. long story short I spend almost all of my time trying to prepare for next year because i am obsessed with gardening now.

I was wondering if anyone knew of any good fruit trees that can grow well in our region.. other than obvious apple, peach, etc...

I am more so looking into creating various micro-climates in my backyard to grow different vegetable and fruit trees that wouldnt normally grow around my area... if anyone has any helpful information I would GREATLY appreciate it!!

Have an awesome day!

Hi Matthew, how about a persimmon tree? Persimmon trees can grow in the northern climate. You may need to look into their soil requirements. Mid Atlantic soil is mostly acidic.

Good luck with your effort in converting your backyard. Gardening is an addiction, isn't it.

Persimmon might be a good choice. They are fairly common here (my county is sandy and acidic) and don't seem plagued with all the rot of peach, plum...

Pawpaw is another unusual native fruit tree. Univ Kentucky has done a lot of work on pawpaw culture.
http://www.pawpaw.kysu.edu/Gro...

Kousa dogwood has edible fruit. Cornelian cherry- isn't that also a dogwood species? yes http://uncommonfruit.cias.wisc...

Matthew When the gardening bug bites, watch out LOL. It hit me years ago and it has been my favorite hobby ever since.

Persimmon came to mind too. Also, what about figs? I know some of the folks in the Mid Atlantic forum have had some success growing figs. They usually do ok when protected during the winter. Even in one of the recent really cold winters we had, I remember them reporting in that they thought their figs were goners but new growth started from the roots that spring.

Spell Czech (of sorts) for sallyg:

The excellent Pawpaw research is ongoing at Kentucky State University (KSU) in Frankfort KY, just down the road from the University of Kentucky (my alma mater). It's all good...

I agree with what others have already mentioned, and would add Aronia melanocarpa and some of the minor native plum species, like Prunus americana, Prunus munsoniana, and Prunus angustifolia.

And where would I be if I didn't recommend planting a few Viburnum? Many have quite flavorful albeit modest sized fruit. Good choices would include Viburnum prunifolium, Viburnum rufidulum, Viburnum lentago, and Viburnum sieboldii, among others.

Another country heard from! Thanks for the correction (were your ears burning?)

Welcome, Matthew--so nice to have you join us!

Hi back, to everyone.

No, ears are actually a bit chilled this morning at the Farmers Market - got a brisk north breeze cooling us down for a change.

Fall has arrived in the Bluegrass, and just in time for opening days at Keeneland Race Course. As it was meant to be...

matthewdurkinjr

I agree with Aspenhill.... FIGS.... FIGS..... FIGS...

Can't beat figs, the worlds healthiest food... They have so many nutrients, and dry easily.

Just be sure to get a cultivator that will tolerate your climate and produce in your area...
Check in your region, to see which ones taste good as well...

I can send you some cutting of these ones I have, now is the time to take fig cuttings. Just
t-mail address if interested. They are cold hardy, and good and sweet.
Suppose to be Black Bart, but there is no such fig
So, don't know the exact name of them, but they are good.

Daniel (ediblelandscapingsc) is a Fig Guru on here to check with...

Welcome Matthew.our Spring Plant Swap gathering is in NJ this year so maybe you will come and meet many of our gardening addicted group!

Want to second the suggestion of Aronia above. Recently met an Eastern Sore Md farmer who grows and makes Aronia wine. Also good for wildlife. Pawpaw want to form groves and are really lovely trees with large deep green leaves. I think you have to have two to get fruit. Host plant for Swallowtail butterfly, many critters love the fruit including deer and raccoons. As Shy_gardener says, figs would be an excellent choice for 'micro-climate' gardening! Hopewell Growers out of NJ supply all of the trees and shrubs to our local Home Depots...Currently all on sale 50% off...they have Brown Turkey and Black Mission Figs very large size. @Shy_gardener, Donna, I'm sure a number of us would be happy to have a fig cutting from you this Spring if you are so inclined! (Hint hint)

I grew up (No Illinois) with wild plums and crabapples which became great jellies/jams and I like my Elderberry and Mulberry trees

Matthew are you thinking 'tropical' like papaya, mango, guava, avocado?

Ooopps, don't mean to be off Matthew's subject...

But of course the offer of fig cuttings are open to anyone....
I'll try some, for the swap... but don't think I'll have
room inside to grow many cuttings this winter.
But be happy to mail cuttings, for folks to grow.

EDIT: these are just pieces of stems to root..Here's how...
http://www.gardeningknowhow.co...

Mine die back every year, so I don't have live stems in the spring to root.
I have to take cutting now to root through the winter for spring planting....

@MariposaMaid be glad to drop some cuttings off
to you, if you want to try some....

They also grow and produce very well in containers...

MariposaMaid said:Matthew are you thinking 'tropical' like papaya, mango, guava, avocado?

Haha, I cannot believe how helpful all of you are this is so incredibly cool!! I've never used a forum for anything before, Should've done this wayy sooner. Thanks for all the feedback!

And MariposaMaid, If there is anyway I could plant any of those trees and get them to produce well I would absolutely LOVE that. I am obsessed with mangos of any variety.. probably my favorite fruit when I really think about it.. but really anything tropical taste amazing to me so yes to all of the above for any of those trees!

Also I would totally go to a plant swap! Sounds like fun!

We have a spring and fall swap each year, plus a winter seed swap!