After the arctic raspberry, this might be the next cold-hardiest of the blackberry/raspberry group. And, I mean… the fruit looks like a thimble. How cool is that? HERB LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 3 – 7 (can withstand cold to -40° F, -40° C) Soil PH: 6.0-7.0 Watering needs: Medium-low. Don’t overwater. But do keep them evenly moist long enough to […]
Also known as wild plum, this prolific dainty can produce from 100 – 150 pounds of fruit per year! And it just might be the most cold hardy, PH tolerant of all the food-worthy plum tree species. And yes, they’re even eligible for making prunes… or Christmas plum pudding… or any other plum recipe, for that matter. UNDERSTORY LAYER Cold […]
Probably the cold-hardiest of all tasty edible apricots. UNDERSTORY LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 3 – 7 (can withstand cold to -40° F, -40 C) Soil PH: 6.0 to 7.5 Watering needs: Medium. Drought tolerant once established. Blooming Season: Early spring.i Just be aware that Manchurian apricots only blossom every two or three years. This is healthy and natural, and doesn’t […]
Yes, it is indeed the quintessential, typical domestic apple—with hundreds if not thousands of varieties. But there is nothing typical about its story, nor its history. Plus, because it’s been utilized by people for so long, and been bred so many different ways, there are SO MANY options. You can get the apple varieties that are just right for your […]
True, it’s not actually a cherry, but this tasty little fruit has its own delicious appeal. UNDERSTORY LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 4 – 8 (Can withstand cold down to -30° F, or -34° C)i Soil PH: 5.0 – 8.0ii Watering needs: Average, does okay in damp soil, but doesn’t like sopping wet soil. Fairly drought tolerant (for short periods) once […]
It likes sun, it’s perennial, and it looks like grass. We should just rip out our lawns and grow garlic instead. The neighbors might not even notice! But hold your breath—unless of course you’ve got garlic breath… ROOT LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 4 – 9 (can withstand temperatures to -30° F, or -34° C)i Soil PH: 4.5 to 8.3 Watering […]
You’d be nuts not to get one. This tree walnut disappoint you. CANOPY LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 4 – 9 (can withstand cold to -30° F) Soil PH: 6.8-7.2, but it will survive in a wider range of soils Watering needs: Average, though they prefer more in summer Blooming Season: Mid-spring Harvest season: September-October Fruiting age: As early as 4 […]
Well, ain’t that just the cutest lil’ raspberry you ever did see? But don’t think this little feller’s feeble or frost tender—these things can grow in places far too cold for most raspberries—and thrive there! GROUNDCOVER LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 2 – 8 (can withstand cold to -50° F, or -45° C) Soil PH: 5.0-7.01 Watering needs: Medium. It prefers […]
For those unfamiliar with Asian pears, picture a fruit with the shape of an apple, the color and texture of a pear, but the flavor of an extra-juicy spiced pear. Plus they sell for top dollar at the grocery store and farmer’s market.
A true perennial among onions, and let’s face it, they just look cool!
Also known as Mexican elderberry or tapiro, this is possibly the tastiest of the elderberries.
AKA juneberry, AKA shadbush, AKA saskatoon, AKA Snowy Mespilus, AKA apple serviceberry, AKA quite-possibly-the-best-little-berry-you’ll-ever-find-growing-on-a-tree.
Get it started, and it will do the rest. A perfect candidate for food forest veggies.
Imagine a blueberry rolled to the shape of an elongated egg, but that tastes like a kiwi, and LOVES cold climates. Did I mention one mature bush can produce several pounds of fruit every year? Oh yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.
A power-punch shorty, a champion in the cold, and a rockstar in the food forest.
Great fruit, beautiful shrub.
Photo by Rasbak of Wikimedia commons, CC3