If you dream of growing a pomegranate but live in a cold climate, you can still grow these juicy fruits at home. All you have to do is plant them in a container! Join farmer Briana Yablonski to learn how to successfully grow pomegranates in pots. Have you ever thought of growing a pomegranate at home? While these unique, aril-filled fruits may seem impossible to produce at home, they’re actually quite easy to grow. However, gardeners in cold climates often remove pomegranates from their plant wish list when they realize they can’t survive cold temperatures. However, before you assume below-zero temperatures mean you can’t grow these plants at home, note that you can grow them in containers! Planting the trees in pots allows you to move them indoors during the winter to protect them from cold. Plus, containers make moving your pomegranate from one home to the next easy. Much of the care for potted plants is similar to in-ground pomegranates. However, you also need to be aware of factors like the ideal container size and potting soil, as well as differences in water requirements. Following these steps will help you grow a healthy pomegranate tree in a container. Select a Large Container Although pomegranate trees can happily grow in pots, they won’t grow well in small containers. The plants may survive for a year or two, but they’ll experience stunted growth and a lack of flowers. Therefore, it’s important to select a pot that gives the roots room to expand and flourish. While you may be tempted to choose a smaller container and repot your plant as it grows, it’s better to start with a big container. Repotting is an inherently stressful process, so it’s best to avoid it if you can. Plus, why purchase three different sizes of pots when you can get away with buying just one? Look for a container that’s at least 10 gallons. The container material isn’t too important, and plastic, terra cotta, and glazed ceramic can all work well. However, before you select a container, make sure the bottom contains drainage holes. If you live in hardiness zone 7 and below, you should plan on moving your pomegranate to a protected area during the winter. However, this is often easier than it sounds! When you start with a 50-pound ceramic container and fill it with potting mix, your potted pomegranate can easily weigh over a hundred pounds! Choosing a lighter container or placing the pot on wheels can make moving your plant more manageable. Fill With a Well-Draining Potting Mix After you’ve found a suitable container, it’s time to fill it with soil. You shouldn’t use native soil since this can lead to issues with drainage. However, you should also stay away from seed-starting mixes and those designed for vegetative houseplants. Instead, look for a specially formulated potting mix designed for trees and shrubs. These mixes are similar to those that work well for raised beds. Good mixes often contain nutrient-rich compost, peat moss or coco coir, and drainage materials like perlite, sand, or pine bark fines. Once you have a suitable mix, I recommend pouring it out into a large container and thoroughly mixing it with a shovel or your hands. Store-bought mixes often contain large clumps of peat moss or compost, and a good stir ensures a homogeneous mixture. Slowly add water as you mix until it is slightly moist but not damp. Add Your Plant to the Container Fill your container about two-thirds of the way with the potting mix. Remove your pomegranate tree from its current container and gently shake off any loose soil from the plant’s roots. You should also inspect the roots and remove any rotten or discolored portions. Place the plant in the new container so the top of the plant’s root ball is even with the soil line. Avoid burying it too deep since this can lead to problems with rot and growth. Once the plant is in the right place, add more fresh potting soil to fill in the remaining empty spaces. Gently compact the soil with your hands to remove any air pockets. Finally, slowly add water until it is moist. If the soil lowers after you add water, add more to ensure there’s an even layer in the container. Place in a Suitable Location After your pomegranate tree is tucked into its container, it’s time to place it in a location where it receives the proper amount of light. These plants require at least six hours of daily light, but they prefer much more. If they don’t receive enough light, they may become weak and stunted and/or fail to produce flowers and fruit. If your plant is outdoors, choose an open area with full sun. Alternatively, you can place the container on the south-facing side of a building, hedge, or fence. Indoor plants should also receive at least six hours of light, so choose a bright area. Typically, the area next to a south-facing window works well. However, you can also place the potted plant in a sunroom or other room with lots of windows. If you don’t have a bright enough area, use a grow light to provide supplemental lighting. Water Regularly You may have heard that pomegranates trees are drought-tolerant, and while this is true, they can’t survive long periods in a container without water. The best way to keep these plants happy is to allow the soil to dry out slightly, but not all the way, between waterings. When irrigating, it’s important to remember the difference in water needs between potted and in-ground plants. Since the sides of the container are exposed to the air, the soil heats up quicker, and water evaporates faster. Therefore, you’ll need to water your potted plants more often than those growing in the ground. The frequency you need to water your plants depends on factors including sun exposure, temperature, soil type, and container material. However, a good starting point is to water your potted pomegranate one to two times per week. Checking the soil with your fingers is a good way to determine whether or not you should water your plant more often. When the top three to four inches of soil is dry, you should water again. When you irrigate, water slowly to thoroughly soak all of the soil. You can water by hand with a hose or watering can, or you can set up drippers on a timer. Try to keep the foliage dry to prevent fungal diseases. Fertilize Regularly But Sparingly Pomegranate trees aren’t heavy feeders, so you don’t have to supply them with a large dose of fertilizer to keep them happy in a container. However, if you skip fertilizing entirely, the plants will begin to show signs of nutrient deficiencies. This is especially true with potted plants. If you use a nutrient-rich potting mix, you shouldn’t have to fertilize your plant in the first year. However, plan to start adding a balanced fertilizer in year two. An appropriate fertilizer will have an equal amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, so look for a product with an NPK ratio like 8-8-8 or 10-10-10. Add the fertilizer to your plant once per year in the late spring or early summer. Most organic fertilizers slowly release their nutrients over time, so a single annual application is enough to keep your plant happy. Avoid applying too much fertilizer since excess nutrients can be just as big of an issue as too few nutrients. Keep An Eye on the Temperature Pomegranate plants are more cold-hardy than many people think, but they still can’t tolerate extreme cold. Most pomegranate varieties grow best in zones 8-11 and will become damaged if exposed to temperatures below 10°F (-12°C). Therefore, you should aim to move your plant to a protected area once the temperature begins to drop below freezing. Fortunately, most pomegranates don’t require many chilling hours to produce fruit. That means you can bring the plants indoors during the fall without worrying about a lack of cold interfering with their fruit production. If you bring your plants indoors, you can place them in either a cool area like a covered porch or garage or a warm area like your living room. However, unless you’re dealing with a snap freeze, you should avoid moving them from a cold area immediately to a warm area. Instead, let them slowly acclimate to their new home by gradually increasing the time they spend in a warm place. When the danger of frost has disappeared in the spring, you can move the plants back outdoors. Aim to move them outdoors for a few hours one day, then a few more hours the next day. This slow introduction will help the plants adapt to the cooler air and brighter light.

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.

With a tart and floral flavor, yuzu fruits provide a uniquely refreshing taste to sauces and marinades. Join plant expert Briana Yablonski as she explains how to grow this cold-hardy citrus at home. While you’re probably familiar with lemons, oranges, and limes, you can grow many other citrus plants at home. Take yuzu, for instance. These cold-hardy plants can tolerate temperatures that would cause many other types of citrus to perish, making them a good year-round addition to many outdoor gardens. With the proper care, yuzu plants will eventually produce round yellow or orange fruits that resemble bumpy mandarin oranges. Despite their appearance, the sour yuzu fruits aren’t great for fresh eating. However, the tart juice and refreshing zest have a unique flavor that makes an excellent addition to marinades, cocktails, and salad dressings. If you want to try growing yuzu at home, you’re in luck! As long as you provide the proper environment and practice a bit of patience, you can enjoy fresh yuzu fruits within a few years. What Is Yuzu? Yuzu is similar to many other types of citrus plants, with a few unique characteristics. If you think you’d like to add a yuzu to your collection, here’s what you can expect. Characteristics While all yuzu plants grow as evergreen perennials, the rootstock determines their final height. Plants on mature rootstocks can grow up to 20 feet tall, while those with dwarfing rootstocks cap out at about five feet tall. All types of yuzu produce deep green leaves with elongated petioles (leaf stems). These petioles appear to resemble small leaves, so the combination of leaf and petiole looks like two conjoined leaves. Yuzu plants take multiple years to reach maturity, so they won’t produce flowers during their first year of growth. When the plants are old enough, they’ll send out small, white flowers in the late winter or spring. These flowers closely resemble other types of citrus blooms, with five white petals and yellow stamens. After successful pollination, small green fruits appear in the center of the flowers. Eventually, the petals drop, and the fruits grow until they’re about three inches in diameter. Fully grown fruits begin to change color to deep yellow or light orange and are ready for harvest during the winter. Native Area Yuzu originated somewhere in Central China near Tibet, where it continues to grow today. The tree isn’t a distinct species but rather an F1 hybrid of two other citrus trees: the mandarin orange and the pithy Ichang papeda. Although yuzu plants first appeared in China, humans brought this citrus to Japan sometime near the end of the first millennium. Since then, they’ve been grown throughout the country. Planting While adding any plant to my home is exciting, bringing home a citrus plant like yuzu makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning. If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to let the enthusiasm of a new citrus tree prevent you from adequately preparing for its arrival. So stop, take a breath, and keep these tips in mind.