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Old 23-06-2005, 05:51 PM
simy1
 
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you have many choices for no spraying fruits, so long as you don't
restrict yourself to trees. First, fight temperature drops by
insulating the trunk - white paint is an option but you can directly
use pipe insulation (to be removed occasionally to prevent insect
buildup).

Second, the type of soil and pH you have will restrict some the type of
fruits you can grow. You will have to forget about the most popular
fruits, like apple or peach, which catch too many diseases in the
midwest but you have plenty of berries to choose from.

I would recommend mulberry (a tree) and blackberry under most
circumstances, but probably raspberry will do well too. I have a
jostaberry (black gooseberry) that has developed into a magnificent ,
heavily bearing shrub which is known to do well in clay, and the best
varieties of elderberry (halfway between a shrub and a tree, though
mine have gotten up to 20 ft, so a small tree probably) are good eating
and trouble-free. Strawberries, if you have the space, will probably do
well, and if you are willing to put in the annual work, melons of all
sorts too.

Grapes will almost certainly do well, several types of nuts (like
walnut or chestnut) will do well. Hardy kiwis (a vine) will do well.
Amongst the small trees, american persimmon will do well, and juneberry
will do well. Of the classic fruits, I would experiment with some of
the strongest plum varieties, and you can also experiment with vines
like akebia and schizandra. My seaberries died, but many say it is one
of the toughest shrubs. Finally, if you want to get into apples, pick a
variety like Liberty, which is not only a great apple but also has
resistance to a number of diseases (I would not do it, though).

The vines, of course, can be arranged as a shade area for the summer,
adding functionality, though they should not be mixed in the same
pergola (kiwi will overpower anything else). Once you have no spray
fruits, your enemies will be birds and squirrels. Here is my advice

1) plan to have fruits from june to november, one or more fruit at a
time.
2) ask fruit nurseries locally, and also check Edible Landscaping on
the web for what sells in your area (call or email them, and ask
specifically about your climate, soil and pH)
3) plan for protection from the birds, by building supports where
netting can be applied easily and thoroughly.