#ProPlantTips, Apple Tree Care, Fruit Tree Care

Enjoy Homegrown Fruit in an Edible Landscape

Whitney Laritson | February 14, 2026

Today more than ever, people across the country are growing their own fruit. There are many reasons for this, and we applaud the effort!

Nature Hills growers deliver backyard orchards with commercial orchard-grade, vigorous fruit trees and bushes. Our fruit trees produce fruit for cooking, baking, or fresh eating straight from the tree.

There is nothing like reaching out and picking fruit from your very own plant. And one of the coolest things is that we offer a wide mix on the site.

You’ll see beloved modern cultivars like ‘Honeycrisp Apple’ (yes, the kind you see on grocery store shelves). But you’ll also get a chance to try the more unusual heirloom varieties, like the astounding ‘Mutsu Apple’ which are individually wrapped by hand in Japan to protect the delicious crop, before being baked into a meal fit for an Emperor.

The Growing Edible Landscape Trend

Explore the rewards of growing fruit at home, but don’t limit your focus to a dedicated fruit orchard with trees lined up in neat rows. Instead, expand your vision of how fruiting plants work in your garden design.

Why not add fruiting plants or vegetables to your existing landscaping? The Edible Landscape is a design concept growing in appreciation.

Top 5 Benefits of Homegrown Fruit

You get to grow your favorite full-flavored varieties and pick them at peak ripeness
You’ll know exactly what chemicals are being used to grow your fruit before your share with your family and friends
You’ll feel prepared for winter by canning or preserving your fruits to enjoy through the year
You’ll gain a sense of accomplishment by growing your own produce in your garden
You’ll enjoy planning, planting and working your own Edible Landscape and get some healthy exercise

Edible Garden Design Tips

Fruit tree varieties including Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Lemons, Oranges and many others will reward you with delicious fresh produce every year. While the health benefits of homegrown fruit can’t be understated, the ornamental value added to the landscape shouldn’t be underestimated, either.

For best quality, plant your fruit trees where they’ll get at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Morning sun is best.

For varieties that require cross-pollination, select two or three overlap their bloom and ripening seasons. Site them correctly in the landscape and enjoy fruit that ripen at different times to extend the season of fruit.

The ornamental qualities of fruit trees have been vastly underused. Design fruit trees and fruit producing bush varieties into your landscape as you would any tree or shrub.

Shop by Variety for easy access to the following plants

Cherries and Pears can and should be pruned to a balanced formal shape making them outstanding flowering accent trees.
Apricots are nature’s fruiting shade trees, even in marginal Apricot regions, a well selected variety will provide great shade and fruit.
Pluots and Apriums carrying the Apricot gene provide this same advantage in any landscape where Apricots can be grown.
Picture a hedge row of Blueberries or Citrus providing a border or screening out an unwanted view, while also providing an extended harvest of fruit selected by ripening time.
Naturalize Peach or Nectarine with other plants in the landscape. You’ll love the beautiful displays of flowers in the spring, followed by a bountiful harvest come summer.
Persimmons incredible orange fall color is remarkable.
The look of a well-established Olive is an age-old classic.
Figs have a bold beauty and give two generous crops of fruit in a single season.
Plums and Apples are the most adaptable of all fruit trees and the easiest to grow. Plums and Apples both have a wonderful range of flavors, colors and sizes.

Make Fruit Plants Work in Your Landscape Design

We understand that placing fruit trees and bush fruit varieties into today’s smaller lot sizes can be a challenge. That’s why we recommend learning easy pruning tricks for size control to grow just about any plant. New dwarf materials are also an important element for success.

Apartment dwellers would be surprised how many plants you can grow on a balcony. Blueberry and Citrus are both ideal for container growing. Citrus makes a beautiful container plant and then is conveniently moved to a protected location for the winter time. Blueberries need low pH soil and water are often better off being grown in a container where you can more easily manage growing conditions.

Many towns also offer Community Gardens where you can rent a plot to work. Contact your local Ag Extension office to get ideas for your community.

Come together with friends, churches and neighbors to create a shared garden space. You could have a great time working together, and everyone could share in the bounty.

You can’t compare the taste of store bought produce from the grocery store. Commercial growers offer varieties that are specifically grown to withstand long-distance shipping with your very own homegrown fruit. Grow your own fruit for the health benefits, or to simply experience one of the joys of nature and get a little physical activity in the sunshine.

For organic soil amendments, fertilizers and pest control options, check out our curated Home & Garden collection. These solutions make backyard gardening a lot easier and more… fruitful.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which fruit trees and berry plants are the easiest to start with in a home edible landscape?

For beginners, apple trees, blueberry bushes, and strawberries are excellent starting points because they adapt well across a wide range of growing zones and reward you with reliable harvests relatively quickly. Dwarf apple varieties like Honeycrisp thrive in zones 3-8, produce fruit within 2-3 years of planting, and fit easily into most landscapes with a mature spread of just 8-10 feet. Blueberries are low-maintenance, offer stunning fall color as an ornamental bonus, and produce abundantly once established after their second or third year. Start with two or three of these beginner-friendly plants, site them in a location with at least 8 hours of direct sun, and browse Nature Hills' selection to find varieties matched to your specific hardiness zone.

How much direct sunlight do fruit trees and berry plants need to produce a good harvest?

For best quality fruit production, plant your fruit trees and berry plants where they will receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is especially beneficial, as it dries dew from leaves quickly and helps reduce disease pressure. Scout your yard throughout the day before planting to identify your sunniest spots, and avoid areas shaded by buildings, fences, or large trees that could rob your plants of the light they need to thrive.

When should I plant fruit trees, berry bushes, and other edible landscape plants for the best results?

The best time to plant fruit trees and berry bushes depends on your climate zone, but generally early spring or fall are ideal windows when moderate temperatures help roots establish before extreme heat or cold arrives. In USDA zones 6 and warmer, fall planting gives roots a head start through mild winters, while gardeners in zones 5 and colder typically see better results with spring planting after the last frost. Bare root plants should go in the ground while still dormant, typically January through March, while container-grown plants offer more flexibility and can be planted throughout the growing season with proper watering. Check your local frost dates, choose the right planting window for your zone, and browse Nature Hills' selection to find varieties proven to thrive in your specific region.

How far apart should I space fruit trees and berry plants in an edible landscape?

Spacing depends on the specific plant type and rootstock, but as a general rule, standard fruit trees should be spaced 15 to 20 feet apart, semi-dwarf varieties 10 to 15 feet, and dwarf trees 8 to 10 feet. Berry bushes like blueberries and currants typically need 4 to 6 feet between plants, while brambles such as raspberries and blackberries can be planted 2 to 3 feet apart in rows. Proper spacing ensures good air circulation, reduces disease pressure, and allows each plant to receive the 8 or more hours of direct sunlight needed for quality fruit production. Check the mature size listed on each plant's product page at naturehills.com to confirm the right spacing before you dig.

How do I choose the right spot in my yard to grow fruit trees and edible plants successfully?

For best results, plant your fruit trees in a location that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, with morning sun being ideal. If you're growing varieties that require cross-pollination, such as many apples and pears, plan to plant two or three trees with overlapping bloom and ripening seasons. Stagger your selections to extend your harvest across a longer season rather than having everything ripen at once. Start by assessing the sunniest areas of your yard, then visit naturehills.com to find the right cultivars suited to your region and pollination needs.

Should I mulch around fruit trees and berry bushes, and how much mulch should I apply?

Mulching around fruit trees and berry bushes is highly recommended, as it retains soil moisture, regulates root temperature, and suppresses competing weeds. Apply a 3 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch such as wood chips or shredded bark in a wide circle extending to the drip line of the plant. Keep mulch pulled back 4 to 6 inches from the trunk or main stems to prevent rot and discourage rodent damage. Refresh your mulch layer each spring before the growing season kicks in to maintain consistent depth and maximum benefit.

How do I prune fruit trees and berry bushes to encourage better growth and higher yields?

Pruning fruit trees is best done in late winter or early spring while the plant is still dormant, typically between February and early April depending on your growing zone. Remove any dead, crossing, or inward-growing branches first, then open up the canopy to allow sunlight to penetrate, aiming for a balanced structure that keeps the tree around 8 to 10 feet tall for easy harvesting. For berry bushes, remove the oldest canes at ground level each year to encourage vigorous new growth and higher fruit production. Start with clean, sharp tools, make cuts at a 45-degree angle just above an outward-facing bud, and consult the specific variety guidelines available on naturehills.com for cultivar-specific timing and technique.

Do fruit trees need a second tree nearby for pollination, or will a single self-pollinating variety work?

Some fruit trees, such as many apples and pears, require cross-pollination from a second compatible variety with overlapping bloom times to set fruit, while others like certain peaches and citrus are self-pollinating and will produce on their own. When planting varieties that need a pollinator, choose two or three trees whose bloom seasons overlap and position them within reasonable proximity for best results. Check the specific pollination requirements for each variety before purchasing, and if space is limited, look for self-fertile cultivars or dwarf varieties that allow you to plant multiple trees in a smaller footprint.

How do I protect homegrown fruit from birds, insects, and other common pests?

Protecting homegrown fruit starts with physical barriers like bird netting draped over trees or individual fruit bags applied after petal fall, which is a technique used by commercial growers in Japan for premium varieties like Mutsu Apple. Kaolin clay sprays applied every 7 to 14 days during the growing season create a protective film that deters insects like apple maggot flies and Japanese beetles without harsh chemicals. For persistent pests, pheromone traps placed in trees by early spring help you monitor and reduce populations before damage occurs. Start your pest management plan at bud break and stay consistent through harvest for the best results.

How do I prevent disease and fruit rot from spreading through my edible landscape?

Preventing disease and fruit rot starts with good sanitation: remove fallen fruit, dead wood, and diseased leaves promptly, as these harbor pathogens that spread quickly through an edible landscape. Prune for open canopy structure to improve airflow, and avoid overhead watering, which creates the damp conditions fungal diseases thrive in. Apply a dormant oil spray in late winter before bud break, and follow up with appropriate fungicide treatments timed to your region's pest pressure and bloom cycle. Contact Nature Hills for variety-specific disease-resistant selections that reduce the need for chemical intervention in your specific growing zone.