Tasty, tropical guava is easy to grow in the ground and containers. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss shares how to care for this farmer's market favorite's, delicious ‘Thai White’ variety. A long-lived tropical tree that produces delicious, nutritious fruits, guava is easy to grow and care for. Plant this guava right in the garden in warm climates, and in cooler climates, opt for a large container. Let’s look at the ‘Thai White’ variety that produces delicious fruits that are extra high in fiber and immune-boosting vitamin C. What Is It? ‘Thai White’ guava is a lightly sweet and refreshing fruit. Typically, it’s consumed raw and unripe, sometimes dipped in chili, salt, sugar, or a combination of all three. It’s a tough small tree that makes an attractive addition to the landscape, though it won’t grow in the ground outside of zones 9-11. Outside this climate, it makes a nice container or patio plant. Guavas were in cultivation as many as 5,000 years ago in Peru. Spanish and Portuguese explorers imported the species to Florida and Europe. Eventually, they traveled across the continent with their delicious discovery, distributing it to Asia and India. Legend follows that the fruits of the guava tree were once inedible. A young boy, wanting to feed a hungry beggar, prayed for the gods to make the fruit edible. The gods obliged the boy, impressed with his kindness and compassion, giving the fruit a sweet, tangy, tart flavor we now love. Characteristics ‘Thai White’ is a mid-sized, evergreen fruit tree that will grow to about 15′-20′ left to its own devices. You can prune it to keep it to a more manageable size, making it easier to harvest the round, green fruits. The fruit is green with white flesh and has higher sugar, vitamin C, and fiber content than a pink guava. It also tends to have more seeds, lending to its more fibrous texture. The entire fruit, including the peel, is edible. According to the National Library of Medicine, the fruit, eaten with the peel is, very healthy. It can lower blood glucose levels and triglycerides, making it a great addition to a healthy diet. The plant is attractive and fits well into a tropical landscape. It usually has one or two central trunks and a many-branched, umbrella-like canopy. The leaves are broad, medium green, and have prominent veining. Native Area Guavas are native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. Portuguese travelers brought the white guava to Asia in the 17th century, where it became a popular fruit to grow and eat. The Thai people refer to the fruit as farang, which denotes a foreign person of white race. Planting Spring and early summer are the best times to plant your ‘Thai White’ guava. The plant is in an active growth phase at this time and will establish quickly. If you want to grow it in a container, it’s fine to re-pot it any time of year. It will need to come indoors when the temperature drops below freezing. This tree is invasive in certain areas of North America. In these areas, grow in a container. Loose soil will help this tree to develop strong roots. Dig a hole three times as deep and wide as the root ball to loosen the soil. This may seem like a lot, but it is ideal for root development. Backfill the hole to the depth of the root ball and position it so that the root ball is level with the surrounding earth. You won’t usually need to amend the soil, so simply backfill, tamp down the soil, and water deeply. The roots of the guava can be extensive, growing beyond the drop line. For this reason, plant it a fair distance away from your home, structures, or concrete slabs.

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.

Tasty, tropical guava is a farmer’s market favorite in warm climate zones. Learn how to grow this treat of a tree with Florida gardener Melissa Strauss. If you want a tropical fruit tree that matures quickly and produces lots of sweet, juicy fruit, ‘Barbie Pink’ guava fits the bill. Maturing in as few as eight years, this fruit tree can live for 40 years or more. These long-lived trees are great for growing in the ground in warm climates, but they also thrive in containers. Let’s learn how to grow these attractive, tasty fruits. What Is It? Legend has it that guavas were once considered an inedible fruit. A kind young boy who wanted to feed a beggar prayed to the gods to make the fruit edible. The gods, impressed by his kindness, transformed the fruit into the sweet, tart, and tangy delicacy we know and love today. ‘Barbie Pink’ is a beautiful, evergreen variety of guava tree that produces sweet and tangy fruits with vibrant, pink flesh. It grows beautifully in warm climate gardens. In cooler climates, you can also keep this tree in a large container as a patio tree. It’s a low-maintenance, sturdy tree that will bear fruit early, and plentifully. Cultivated for as long as 5,000 years, guavas were first domesticated in Peru. Impressed with the delicious fruits, explorers from Spain and Portugal brought the tree to the West Indies and Florida. They traveled across the ocean with their tropical treasure, which led to its introduction in Asia and India. Growing up in South Florida, I can scarcely remember a trip to Miami that didn’t include a Cuban coffee and a guava and cream cheese pastry. If you’ve never tasted one, they are as delicious as they sound and worth every calorie. Characteristics This evergreen tree is popular in tropical climates as an attractive member of ornamental landscapes. However, delicious fruits are the main reason for planting them. Guava trees can grow up to 20 feet tall, but generally, we prune them to keep them compact and easier to harvest from. Prune them to 10-15 feet, and they will spread nearly as wide as they are tall. Light brown, mottled bark covers the sturdy trunk of this shrubby evergreen. The leaves are large, ovate, and deep, glossy green. In spring, attractive white blossoms have a scent similar to the fruits. The guavas mature from green to yellow when ripe, and have a strong, wonderful aroma. Inside is the prettiest pink flesh dotted with tender, edible seeds. The fruit is a rich source of nutrients, including fiber, potassium, folate, and B vitamins, but packs the greatest punch of vitamin C. The seeds are also fiber-rich and full of antioxidants, making them a digestive powerhouse. Native Area Pink and red guavas are native predominantly to Mexico and tropical America. ‘Barbie Pink’ is a variety bred in Florida. These plants make the invasive list in South Florida but are perfectly fine to grow in Central Florida. Elsewhere, they are not invasive. Grow in Florida with care, and make sure to harvest the fruit. Do not allow it to re-seed. Planting The ideal time to plant your guava is in summer. June or July are the best months. To grow it in a container, timing is not important, just make sure to bring it indoors for the winter. Guava trees like loose soil in which to establish their roots. To plant this tree, dig a hole that is three to four times the diameter of the root ball and three times as deep. This may seem excessive, but it will pay off. Loosening the soil this way will allow for fast and healthy root development. Backfill the hole so that when you position your plant, the root ball is level with the surrounding earth. Position the plant in the hole and backfill around it. No need to amend the soil in most cases. Tap down the soil and water your tree thoroughly. Guava trees have roots that can be aggressive and extend beyond the drip line. They can send up shoots farther than you might expect when planted in loose soil. Make sure to plant far enough away from any buildings or structures, and give them space from other trees, as well.