Wonderful' is one of the most popular pomegranate varieties, known for its resilience and large fruits. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains how to plant and care for this impressive fruit tree. When you’re looking for pomegranates to plant in your garden, ‘Wonderful’ is bound to pop up a few times. This popular variety is one of the most widely grown in home gardens, with a high yield and wonderfully sweet fruits. But the fruits aren’t the only benefit. Pomegranate trees are also great ornamental plants, ideal for growing in the ground or in containers. And their resilience and adaptability means even beginners won’t have trouble growing these trees. Follow these steps to plant and care for the popular ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate in your garden. What Is It? ‘Wonderful’ is one of the most widely grown pomegranates for home gardens, and it’s easy to see why. These trees are tough and resilient, adapting to harsh environments where other fruit trees may struggle. ‘Wonderful’ is a prolific producer of large fruits, but also comes with tons of ornamental value – truly the full package. ‘Wonderful’, like other pomegranates, is usually grown as a shrub, perfect for borders, hedging, or espalier. However, its versatility means it can be shaped into a small tree, generally reaching heights of 6 to 20 feet. Its interesting bark, glossy leaves, and structural shape mean it will stand out, no matter where it’s planted. This variety thrives in warm climates and demonstrates drought tolerance once established. It’s not ideal for gardeners in cooler regions (USDA Zones 6 or below) but will thrive in hot summers and sandy soil. Whether you’re growing them for their health benefits or year-round visual interest, the ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate will not disappoint. Planting Once you’ve purchased a ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate tree, it’s time to get planting. Choosing the right location is key to a successful harvest, so it’s vital to plant in a prime spot that matches their native habitats as closely as possible. This variety, while hardy, will produce more prolifically when given the proper foundation. Choose a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, preferably more. If the summer sun is quite intense, pick a location that provides some light afternoon shade to avoid scalding that can impact production. The site should also be well-draining in any area where water does not pool after rain, as this can lead to rot. Spring is the best time for planting, allowing the pomegranate to establish its roots before the heat of summer kicks in. Ensure the threat of frost has passed in cooler zones before getting your tree in the ground. You may want to allow it to acclimate to your garden environment for a couple of days before planting to prevent shock. When you’re ready to plant, prepare a hole a little wider than the container the tree came in. Gently remove it from its container and lightly tease the roots if they are circling around each other. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring it sits at the same depth it did in its container. Fill the hole with the soil, firming it around the base of the tree to eliminate air pockets. After planting, water the tree deeply to settle the soil around the roots and avoid transplant shock. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree, keeping the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture retention, which can lead to fungal disease. Planting in Containers For those who don’t have the space to plant in the ground, live in colder climates, or want to keep the pomegranate tree compact, try growing in containers. The plants won’t grow as large as they would when left to spread, but you can still harvest plenty of fruits and save space at the same time. Select a pot large enough to accommodate the tree’s root system (start with one a few inches wider and deeper than the container or bag the tree is currently in). The pot should also have drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess moisture to leave the pot. Use a high-quality potting mix, preferably one formulated for fruit trees. As when choosing a container, drainage should be a primary consideration. If the mix is a little too dense, add some extra perlite or sand to recreate the soil conditions the trees are accustomed to. Test the drainage of the mix before you plant—you don’t want to have to repot any time soon. Remove the pomegranate tree from its current home, gently loosening any tightly bound roots at the base to encourage them to grow outwards. Place it in the container, ensuring it sits at the same level it did in its original container. Fill the gaps around the tree with potting mix, gently firming down to eliminate air pockets. After planting, water thoroughly and deeply. Place the container in a location in a sunny spot, like a south-facing patio or balcony. Check the soil’s moisture level often, watering when the top few inches feel dry. How To Grow Pomegranates are easygoing trees. Follow these care guidelines to keep them happy and productive season after season.

If you love the sweet and delicate flavor of Meyer lemons, You’ll love the ‘Improved Meyer’ lemon bush. Florida gardener Melissa Strauss has the details to help to grow this sweet citrus bush. Citrus trees are some of the easiest fruit trees to grow and care for. Once established, they only need attention a few times per year. If, like myself, you love all things lemon, I’ve got a great little shrub that you’ve just got to read about. I adore Meyer lemons, and it’s not just because I share my maiden name with them. It’s because they are positively delicious! What are ‘Improved Meyer’ Lemon Bushes? ‘Improved Meyer’ lemon is a delightfully compact, semi-dwarf variety of this hybrid citrus species. Meyer lemons are a cross between a citron and another hybrid, the offspring of a pomelo and a mandarin. These trees are bred to produce fruits that have the punchy tang of a lemon tempered with a mellow mandarin flavor. The resulting fruit is rounder, sweeter, and more fragrant than the average lemon. These medium-sized bushes grow well in zones 8-11, with some extra winter protection in the northern part of their range. However, living in a cooler climate doesn’t mean you can’t grow one of these tasty plants. ‘Improved’ Meyer lemon bushes are small enough to grow quite nicely in a container. They also bloom more than once a year and can bear fruit nearly year-round. Native Area The ‘Meyer’ lemon is a hybrid citrus variety that originated in China. Frank Nicholas Meyer, of the US Department of Agriculture was responsible for bringing it to the United States. While he is not responsible for the breeding, his name became associated with the plant. Most likely, though, it has been in cultivation in China for thousands of years. Characteristics The ‘Improved Meyer’ lemon is a semi-dwarf citrus with a shrubby appearance. It grows upwards to ten feet tall if left to its own devices, but it is easy to keep it small by pruning it. It is often kept as a container plant, as it is an attractive bush and adaptable to indoor growing. Meyer lemons are not true lemons, but they have some lemon-like qualities. The fruit is rounder than a true lemon, with thinner skin. The skin is a rich orange-yellow color and has a strong but mellow lemon scent. The pulp of the fruit is deep yellow with a hint of orange and contains seeds. These lemons have a reputation for being extra sweet and juicy compared to other lemons. ‘Improved Meyer’ lemon bushes can grow up to 10′-12′ tall, but they take very well to pruning. You can keep this plant small and still expect to see plenty of attractive fruit. The foliage is deep green, smooth, and glossy. While a Meyer lemon can produce fruit at any time of year, the primary bloom time is in the spring. The flowers are white with purple accents on the outside of the petals. They have a strong and pleasing fragrance. I love to snip a few branches in the spring to add to early-season cut flower arrangements. The scent is simply wonderful. The bulk of their fruit matures in late fall to early winter. Propagation These bushes are easy to propagate. There are three effective methods to try once your tree is mature and bearing fruit. These plants breed true from seed, and the fruits contain plenty of them.

‘Allstar’ is a highly productive, low-maintenance strawberry variety that backyard gardeners love. Its delicious berries and resistance to common strawberry diseases make it an easy pick to add to your garden wishlist every season. Join organic farmer Jenna Rich as she shows us how to plant, grow, and care for ‘Allstar’ June-bearing strawberries. Summer is almost upon us, and for me, nothing signals summer quite like strawberry plants beginning to blossom and set fruit. A summer day isn’t complete until I’ve picked and consumed a handful of fresh berries! ‘Allstar’ strawberry plants are vigorous and wildly productive, so I recommend this variety if you want to work berries into your everyday snacks like I do. They can grow in containers, raised beds, or ground. Get your jam and pie recipes ready; you’ll need them! Let’s talk about one of my, and so many other gardeners’, favorite strawberry varieties, the June-bearing ‘Allstar’. What Are ‘Allstar’ June-bearing Strawberries? ‘Allstar’ might as well come with a home gardening gold star. It’s beloved for its low-maintenance attitude, classic strawberry flavor, and high yields. Plus, it’s virtually disease-free! Fruits are big and juicy and ripen in early summer. Its thin skins make it perfect for fresh eating, desserts, and preserves. Unlike ever-bearing varieties that supply small to medium-sized fruits all season, ‘Allstar’ is June-bearing. This type of strawberry produces a main flush of large berries in peak summer, around June and July. They require a period of dormancy and grow well across zones. Appearance The plant features dense, medium to dark green, glossy foliage and grows to about nine inches tall and 12 inches wide. The flowers are white and five-petaled with yellow centers. The berries are bright orangeish-red, large, and plentiful. How to Grow ‘Allstar’ is relatively low-maintenance, but to be rewarded with delicious, large berries, the plants require a few basics. Sunlight Strawberry plants require full sun to grow properly, and yields will be best when they receive six to ten hours daily. Less sunlight may result in leaf drop and a decrease in productivity. Plants will appreciate some afternoon shade. Consider using shade cloth during periods of prolonged, harsh sunlight. Water The soil should be consistently moist but not waterlogged, and plants should receive at least an inch of water weekly. Root rot and disease spread quickly in soggy soil. Add compost to adjust soil consistency and help with drainage. Soil ‘Allstar’ strawberries require well-draining, loamy, and fertile soil. They’ll appreciate a healthy application of well-aged, organic compost worked in before planting. Plants can adapt to various soil types. Amend the soil until the pH is between 6 and 6.5. Mulch Mulch around your plants to reduce weed pressure, help retain soil moisture, and protect the crown from cool temperatures. If rainfall has been ample and the soil is exceptionally moist, hold off on mulching during the summer, as this could cause root and crown rot. Add several layers of organic straw mulch before the first fall frost heading into winter to protect plants from frost damage and cold temperatures. Remove any mulch put over the plants for winter protection to fertilize and clean up winter debris. Some gardeners choose to reapply mulch for the season, but it’s a personal preference. Climate and Temperature Requirements Before planting out, temperatures should be comfortably between 50°F (10°C) and 80°F (27°C). Excess humidity can cause disease, and cold temperatures may cause damage. If temperatures dip below 50°F (10°C) for a prolonged period, cover plants with row cover. The foliage of ‘Allstar’ is hardy enough to stick around into winter, creating a ground cover. Fertilizing Prepare the soil by mixing lots of well-aged compost and a potassium-rich fertilizer, spreading about ⅓ cup around each area where a plant will grow. Use a high-quality, all-purpose, well-balanced (10-10-10-) fertilizer on your strawberry plants. Feed new plants every two weeks with slow-release fertilizer. Follow the instructions and dosages as per the package instructions. Harvesting When berries begin ripening, get your harvest buckets ready in late spring to early summer. Harvest often to keep berries from spoiling and avoid picking early. Strawberries won’t ripen once off the vine. Pruning Pruning is unnecessary for strawberries; monitoring and removing runners will help control their spread. Runners will begin to appear in the spring as the day length increases. In year one, removing runners allows the plant to focus energy on establishing a solid root system. Propagation Propagating strawberry plants is fun and easy. Purchase bare roots from reputable sources, plugs, or plants at your local nursery, or create new plants by potting up runners you removed from established plants. You can even start them from seed!