Growing fruit trees and small fruits in the Shenandoah Valley is both rewarding and achievable for home gardeners. Early spring is the ideal time to plant, giving young trees the best chance to establish strong roots.

Success starts with the right location—avoid low, wet areas, frost pockets, and windy spots, and aim for well-draining soil. While soil tests can help guide fertilization, many trees thrive with simple soil amendments like compost, and nitrogen should be avoided early on.

Choosing the right varieties is key. Some fruits are better for fresh eating, while others are ideal for preserving. Many fruit trees also require cross-pollination, so selecting compatible varieties with overlapping bloom times is essential for a strong harvest.

Proper planting and care, ike correct spacing, consistent watering, mulching, and seasonal pruning—help ensure healthy growth and high-quality fruit. With the right approach, your trees can produce from late June through mid-November in Virginia.

Whether you're just getting started or expanding your garden, growing your own fruit is a fulfilling process—and with a little guidance, a successful one.

Growing fruit trees and small fruits in the home garden is a joy that is attainable for homeowners in our region. Planting and maintaining fruiting trees and bushes may seem like a daunting task, but with your passion and our guidance you will soon be enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Early Spring is a great to be planting fruit trees in the Shenandoah Valley. Planting in early Spring provides young fruit trees with a great opportunity for success after transplanting. 

The site of planting is an important thing to consider. Frost pockets, low, wet spots; and locations exposed to strong winds should be avoided. Well-draining soil is crucial as fruit trees will suffer if their feet remain wet. A soil test can help gauge if fertilization is needed at planting. If your soil lacks phosphorous, calcium or potassium we recommend the use of an organic fertilizer. Under most circumstances fruit tree planting can occur without fertilization and the use of any nitrogen fertilizer should be avoided for several months in the first growing season. We do recommend amending the original soil with a soil conditioner or compost to keep the soil healthy and porous. When multiple trees are being planted, spacing must be considered.

Certain varieties have better application than off the tree eating. If you’re looking to freeze, can, or preserve, there are varieties better suited to these applications. Cross-pollination is necessary for satisfactory fruit set in many tree fruits. Varieties that are cross-fruitful and that have overlapping bloom dates should be selected. Golden Delicious is used by many commercial apple growers as a pollinizer for other varieties of apples in their orchards. For the most part fruit varieties ripen in Virginia from late-June until mid-November. 

Once you make it home with your fruit trees and the site is prepared, a hole should be dug as deep as the root ball and slightly wider. Trees in their first year should be watered every 14 days unless at least 1 inch of rain fell since the last watering. Young fruit trees should be mulched or cultivated until they begin to bear. Most pruning is done during the dormant season, preferably just before active growth begins in the spring. For maximum yield of high-quality fruit, prune only as necessary to establish a tree with a strong framework and to maintain a tree sufficiently open to allow penetration of sunlight, air, and spray material for good fruit development and pest control. 

Whether you’re a first-time planter or an orchard-veteran, Milmont Greenhouses staff is available to provide insight for all of your planting needs. We believe our knowledgeable and helpful teammates can offer both advice and inspiration on your next project. Give us a call or drop by, and let's make your planting project a success!