How to Plan for Fruit Trees for the Home in North Carolina

North Carolina property owners enjoy a wide choice in potential fruit trees to grow because the state enjoys relatively long growing seasons and chilly but not brutal winters. Situated in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 6 through 8, colder winters occur in the higher elevations in the western counties and warmer winters in the eastern coastal plain. According to a publication by North Carolina State Cooperative Extension, choose from apples, Asian pears, peaches, nectarines, figs, European pears and plums. Not all of these fruits grow successfully in all parts of the state.

• 1

  Contact your local N.C. State Cooperative Extension office in your county for a list of recommended fruit trees suitable to the climate and soil in your part of the state. A horticultural agent or trained Master Gardener can inform your choice of fruit tree based on factors of maintenance, hardiness or factors about plant size and ornamental qualities.

• 2

  Walk your property and look for ideal locations for the fruit tree your county Cooperative Extension office horticultural agents recommended. Fruit trees prosper in a fertile soil that is moist but well-drained, never becoming soggy after rains or irrigation. Also look for areas where at least 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight basks the location where the fruit trees will grow.

• 3

  Measure the planting area with a tape measure or approximate by counting the number of feet by pacing one foot in front of the other. Alternatively a walking pace step equals one yard. Pay particular attention to determine the space or width of the planting area as this determines how large of a tree can grow in the garden. For example, if a sunny location is only 15 feet wide between a driveway or building, you need to grow a fruit tree that grows no wider than 15 feet in its leafy canopy, otherwise increased pruning maintenance is needed.

• 4

  Consult Table 2 in the publication "Producing Fruit Trees for Home Use" from North Carolina State University to discover which varieties are recommended for the state. Alternatively, once you know your garden site's characteristics and size, you can again contact your local county Cooperative Extension office for a specific recommendation for a suitable fruit tree variety.