Skip the grocery store and grow pears in your backyard! ‘Bosc’ pear trees are easy to grow and provide a harvest of delicious fruits. Farmer Briana Yablonski shares how to grow these beloved pears at home. While apples are some of the most popular fall fruits, pears come in a close second. Late-ripening varieties like ‘Bosc’ allow you to enjoy juicy fall fruits, and a large harvest means you’ll have plenty to preserve. Plus, since ‘Bosc’ pears have a great storage life, you can continue to enjoy fresh fruits into the winter. Growing pears at home may seem overwhelming, especially if this is your first time planting a fruit tree. However, as long as you have the proper environment, planting and caring for these trees is pretty simple. I’ll explain how to select an ideal location for your ‘Bosc’ pear tree and provide the proper follow-up care. I’ll also share some common problems to look out for and offer tips for preventing and treating these issues. What Is a Bosc Pear? The ‘Bosc’ pear is an heirloom variety of the European pear (Pyrus communis). It’s a popular commercial variety readily available in grocery stores, but it’s delicious enough to warrant growing at home. The fruits have an elongated shape with light brown skin and firm flesh. Native Range Despite their common name, European pears are native to western China. Around 3,000 years ago, they arrived in Europe, where people cultivated them for fresh eating and cider making. Pear lovers cross-pollinated the trees to develop new varieties, such as the ‘Bosc’ pear. This variety emerged sometime in the early 19th century, although its people debate its exact origin. Some people say the pears were first created in Belgium, while others argue they were discovered in France. Regardless, this pear variety made its way to the eastern United States in either 1832 or 1833. While you can still find ‘Bosc’ pears growing in this region today, they are primarily grown in the Pacific Northwest. Characteristics ‘Bosc’ pears stand out from other European pears due to their unique shape, texture, and color. The fruits have a classic pear shape but sport a more elongated neck than varieties like ‘D’Anjou’ and ‘Barlett.’ Their skin is a warm, light brown prone to harmless discolored patches known as russetting. These pears have firmer flesh than many other European pears, so they’re excellent for slicing and using in baked goods. However, their sweet and slightly spicy flavor and noticeable juiciness make them great for fresh eating. ‘Bosc’ pears develop their sweetness when they’re still quite firm, so you can eat them before they’re completely soft. The trees themselves are similar to other European pears. Their mature height depends on the rootstock. Most ‘Bosc’ scions are grafted onto semi-dwarfing rootstocks, so they’ll grow between 10-15 feet tall. However, obtaining smaller trees by grafting onto dwarfing rootstocks and larger ones by grafting onto standard rootstocks is also possible. Planting Bosc Pears There are two main options when it comes to planting pear trees: potted and bare-root. Both options are readily available through in-person and online nurseries and can produce healthy specimens. However, each option has its advantages and requirements, so choose the one that best fits your garden and needs. No matter which option you select, choose a location with well-draining soil and full sun. Be sure you won’t hit any underground utilities when digging, and check for any overhead obstacles that will hit the tree’s growing branches. Pollination requirements: To set fruit, ‘Bosc’ pears require another pear variety that blooms at a similar time. ‘Comice,’ ‘D’Anjou,’ and ‘Corsica’ are all suitable pollinators. Planting Bare-Root Trees Bare-root trees are dormant plants that nurseries dig up, trim, and ship without soil. Their slim design means they’re lighter weight and easier to ship than those growing in containers. Therefore, they’re often less expensive than potted specimens. Since bare-roots are dormant, you must plant them when outdoor vegetation is dormant. You can plant anytime from the late fall through early spring, as long as the ground isn’t frozen. Planting in the fall is ideal since it lets the plants settle into their new home and put on root growth before they break dormancy. A day before you plant your tree, place the roots in water and let them soak for 24 hours. The following day, dig a hole a bit wider than the tree’s roots and set the tree in the hole so the graft union is a few inches above the soil line. Backfill with soil and water well. Planting Potted Trees Container-grown trees grow in plastic pots. Since they are already growing in soil, you don’t have to plant them as soon as you bring them home. Like bare-root trees, fall and spring are the best times to plant. When it’s time to plant, dig a hole as deep as the plant’s rootball and twice as wide. Remove the tree from its container and gently loosen the roots with your hands. Place the tree in the hole, spread the roots, fill it with soil, and water well.

Are you looking for a citrus plant that beautifies the landscape and produces delectable sweet-tart fruit? Then check out the calamondin orange tree! Plant expert Briana Yablonski shares how to grow and care for this unique citrus. In the bright and vibrant citrus world, few plants have as many favorable characteristics as the calamondin orange. Its lush green leaves pop out of porch planters and create lush hedges that produce fruit. And oh, the sweet and tangy fruits—they’re not just a tasty treat but also appropriate for everything from cakes to salad dressings. And did we mention the plants can tolerate cold temperatures that zap many other citrus species? If you’re still unsure about adding a calamondin orange to your garden, I get it. Experimenting with something new can be a bit scary! Yet diving into the unknown is one of the fun parts of gardening. Here is all the information and care tips you need to successfully cultivate these unique citrus fruits. What Is a Calamondin Orange? The calamondin orange, also known as calamansi or Philippine lime, is a hybrid citrus plant that’s a cross between a kumquat and a Mandarin orange. Plant scientists once thought the calamondin orange was a unique species (Citrus mitis), but they later determined it was a hybrid. Its scientific name changed over the years, but it’s mostly referred to as Citrus x microcarpa. Native Range Scientists think the plant emerged in the Philippines and parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. You can now find it growing throughout Southeast Asia and a few other portions of the world. The Philippines is the major producer of calamansi fruit. Characteristics No matter what you call it, the calamondin orange is versatile in the garden and kitchen. Like many fruit trees, the plant’s mature height depends on the rootstock. Wild plants can grow up to twenty feet tall, but dwarf varieties remain under five feet. All plant sizes have a woody stem that gives way to pliable branches. These branches are covered with shiny, dark green, evergreen leaves. The leaves have an ovular shape with rounded tips, making them stand out from the more pointed leaves of lemons and limes. Calamondin orange plants produce flowers throughout the year, but spring is the main flowering season. The small white flowers have five petals and emit an attractive fragrance. Upon successful pollination, these flowers turn into fruits that eventually grow one to three inches wide. All fruits start out green, and the mature color ranges from orange to yellow to green. Some varieties also sport variegated fruits. When you cut into calamondin oranges, you’ll see juicy flesh that resembles other citrus fruits. The flavor is more tart than sweet, with hints of lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, and passion fruit. Each plant produces unique-tasting fruits, so you won’t know what a calamondin orange tastes like until you try it. Planting Growing calamondin oranges from seed isn’t the most reliable planting method, so purchasing a potted plant is the best way to add one of these trees to your home. Although it’s often difficult to find the plants in local nurseries, you can purchase them online. I recommend ordering your plants in the spring through fall since cold winter temperatures can damage the plants during shipping. Before you choose a plant, be sure you research the cultivar. As I mentioned above, some calamondin oranges remain small enough for planters, but others grow into small trees. Pay attention to the rootstock and choose one that matches your needs.

‘Fuyu’ Persimmon trees are easy to grow, readily available, and produce an abundance of delicious and nutritious fruits. Have you ever wanted to try growing a fruit tree? This is a great place to start. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen introduces the ‘Fuyu’ persimmon and discusses the proper care and maintenance of one of her favorite fruit trees. If you are a fan of sweet, delicious persimmon fruits, you might be very interested to know that you can grow your own! If you live in a warm climate, have a sunny yard, and can provide rich, moist soil, a persimmon tree can be a tremendously rewarding addition to your garden. The ‘Fuyu’ persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is one of the most popular varieties of Asian persimmon. These trees produce an abundance of fruits that can be eaten fresh, straight off the tree. They also store well for later snacking or use them to make persimmon jams and preserves. A single mature persimmon tree can produce hundreds of fruits each year! Persimmons are medium-sized trees native to Asia. These fruit trees are easy to grow in the right conditions and provide year-round interest. Their attractive forms make them pleasing landscaping trees. The fruits are edible, and they have spectacular red-orange fall foliage. Are you ready to grow your own persimmons? Let’s dig a little deeper into the ‘Fuyu’ persimmon so you’ll know exactly what you need to start your own thriving persimmon tree. Plant Natural History The Asian persimmon (Diospyros kaki) originated in China, India, and the Indochina region. These trees have been extensively cultivated as a food crop for over two thousand years. Through extensive cultivation and selection, hundreds of Asian persimmon cultivars now exist. ‘Fuyu’ is one of the most common varieties of Asian persimmon, known for its abundant sweet, non-astringent fruits. These trees are self-fertile and won’t require cross-pollination to set fruits, so unlike many other fruit tree varieties, you can grow plenty of ‘Fuyu’ persimmons with just one plant. Asian persimmon trees start reliably bearing fruits when they are about five years old. Characteristics ‘Fuyu’ persimmons are deciduous fruit trees. Unless aggressively pruned, they will grow up to about 30 feet tall. These trees develop a single main trunk, splitting into several primary branches with additional fruit-bearing twigs. The fruits form on first and second-year wood. Asian persimmon flowers bloom along the smaller, younger branches in late spring. The flowers are creamy-white to very pale pink and measure about 1 cm wide. These small flowers are non-showy, but they will still attract some pollinators. The ‘Fuyu’ persimmon fruits develop very slowly, appearing shortly after flowering and starting as small, hard, green orbs. They gradually increase in size until they are each about two to three inches across. Asian persimmon fruits stay firm and green throughout the entire summer. By mid-fall, the fruits begin to turn orange. Somewhere around the time of the first frost, often sometime in October, when the fruits become entirely orange, they are finally ready to harvest and eat. Persimmon trees develop a deep taproot, helping them withstand brief periods of drought. In the autumn, the semi-glossy leaves turn from green to bright red-orange and make a spectacular autumn display specimen. Propagation Would you like to try propagating your persimmon tree? Taking a cutting is the easiest way to grow a new persimmon tree. Not every cutting you take, however, will successfully start a new tree, so try taking a few cuttings in hopes that one develops roots. Take your cuttings from a smaller branch tip and make them each about six inches long. Use side shoots, root suckers, or recent branch growth. Dip the lower end of your cutting in a rooting hormone and place it into fresh, moist potting soil. Keep your potted cutting warm and moist and in a well-lit location until it starts to develop roots. It will take several weeks for a cutting to start to develop roots. You will know that a stem cutting has rooted successfully if it starts to develop fresh leaf growth at the top. Continue to grow your successful cutting (or cuttings) in a warm, moist, protected location until you are ready to transplant them outside in their permanent home. Planting Planting a persimmon tree is simple. Early spring or late fall are the best times of year for transplanting fruit trees. If you have a young nursery-grown tree or a potted cutting that’s ready to be transplanted, follow these quick and easy steps.