Fruit Trees That Produce The First Year After Transplanting

Patience is a virtue, right? But when you're a gardener waiting for the tree you lovingly picked out and planted to produce fruit, your virtue may be tested. It can take two to four years to get an apple after you plant a tree, no matter how many tips and tricks for growing healthy apple trees you use. That may be too darn long for some people. So, if you're looking for something a bit closer to instant gratification, you'll want to look for fruit trees that produce fruit just a year after planting. Citrus like lemons, limes, and oranges are quick to develop fruit — but they aren't the only ones. Figs should also be on an impatient gardener's list. 

Citrus plants have a few things going for them. First of all, they are self-pollinating which means you don't need multiple plants just to get a good crop. Second, they come in mini-varieties, like Meyer lemons (Citrus x limon 'Meyer'), making it easier to bring them indoors; however, Tiffany Selvey, House Digest's Garden Editor and Master Gardener offers a warning. "Meyer lemons and other small citrus trees may have thorns, so have a plan to deal with them for everyone's safety." 

Figs, on the other hand, have a wide array of species, meaning no matter what climate you live in, there is probably an option for your area. They are also good container plants, so you can bring them in out of the cold if you prefer. As with any plant, there are some things to take into consideration before deciding which one is best for your situation.

Citrus fruits are practically synonymous with warm, sunny climates. So, the first thing to consider before buying one of these is whether or not you will need to bring them in for the winter. There's a lot to know before growing citrus plants indoors, but most importantly, will you have a sunny spot where it can soak up the sun for six hours or more? If you need to bring that pot in for the winter, size is obviously an issue. Most people don't have room for trees in their home, but smaller varieties — like the Meyer lemon, which is winter hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, or Key lime (Citrus x aurantiifolia) which is hardy from zones 8b through 11 — are just the right size for indoor life. Selvey states, "If you'll need to move your citrus, you can avoid piercing yourself on those painful thorns by pruning them off as they appear on new growth using a sharp pair of garden shears." 

If you're lucky enough to live somewhere that citrus will thrive outside year-round, there are other considerations. For instance, dwarf or columnar fruit tree varieties tend to start producing sooner than their bigger counterparts. They may not live as long, however, so planting a variety of sizes might help you bridge the gap between getting fruit as soon as possible while still harvesting for many years.

While some people may want to reconsider growing fruit-bearing fig trees in their yards, if you don't have mild enough winters for outdoor citrus, or a spot to bring them indoors, figs might be a better option. Not only can potted figs be stored in unheated garages or basements for the winter, some can be grown outdoors. While most varieties are hardy in zones 7 through 11, you may be able to find a variety to tolerate zones 5 and 6 with a bit of extra help. In this case, you may want to plant it in a sheltered location and wrap it to protect it from winter's harshest conditions. If you don't there could be some consequences.

"Figs are only trees in warm climates," says Tiffany Selvey. "In cooler areas, around zone 7 and north, they die back to the ground in winter and grow as bushes." However, if you're looking for a hardy fig variety, consider Brown Turkey, zones 5 through 9, and Chicago Hardy in zones 6 through 9. Selvey shares, "Expect these outdoor fig bushes to die back to the ground each winter, but if you have a long enough warm season, you'll still get a harvest the first year."

While citrus comes in many varieties, each with their own peculiarities, there are some generalities to keep in mind when planting and caring for your trees. It probably goes without saying that citrus plants like a hot, sunny location whether they are in the ground or in a pot. They also like water but need well-drained soil to avoid root rot. Water your tree at least once a week as it gets established, or more often in especially hot, dry conditions.

If you're growing your tree in a pot, getting the container size right is key to controlling moisture. Starting with a five gallon pot is usually a good idea. More mature trees need a pot that is double that size. You will want to keep these plants evenly watered, never letting them dry out completely. About every three years you will need to prune the roots.

No matter where you're planting your citrus, the roots like to have some exposure to air, so keep the area where the trunk begins to flare slightly exposed. Also, consider purchasing a fertilizer specifically for citrus trees, as they need quite a bit of nitrogen. You could also consider using clover as a living mulch or ground cover. According to Selvey, "Although nitrogen-fixing ground covers cannot replace fertilizer, they can help support healthy trees." You will also need to prune your trees for better air flow. Get more tips on how to care for citrus in winter to keep them thriving.

Like citrus, figs enjoy sunny locations, and while they aren't picky about soil they prefer it not to be alkaline. When planting in the ground, you will want to plant them a few inches deeper than they were in the nursery pot — but if you're simply repotting them, keep them at the same depth. Outdoors, avoid fertilizing immediately after planting but keep the area mulched.

If you're growing your fig in a container, ensure the root ball has room to grow and opt for a good potting soil mix. Keep an eye on the soil and water when it's dry to the touch about an inch below the surface. When you're growing outdoors in a cooler climate, you can cut the fig bush back to a few nodes above the ground after it has gone dormant and lost its leaves in the fall, then protect it with leaves or mulch. Selvey shares, "This is only necessary in regions where figs die back to the ground each winter. Otherwise, you can prune your fig into a tree with a single trunk." While fig trees are not finicky, you may want to brush up on what you need to know before planting them.