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Perennial - Peach.jpeg

Perennials

The foundation of any productive garden lies in its permanent systems. These are the investments that require patience, proper planning, and initial effort but reward you with decades of harvest and beauty.

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Our perennial collection represents a commitment to multi-generational thinking. The fruit trees we plant today will feed our grandchildren. The berry bushes we establish this year will produce abundantly for the next twenty. The grape vines we train with care will become the backbone of family traditions around harvest time.

Perennial Establishment

​FRUIT TREES

PEACH TREES (Prunus persica)

  • Plant: January-February (bare root, dormant season)

  • Spacing: 15-20 feet apart for standard, 8-12 feet for dwarf

  • Soil: pH 6.0-7.0, well-drained, sandy loam preferred

  • Varieties: Choose low-chill varieties for Central Texas

  • Support: Young trees need staking first 1-2 years

  • Pruning: Open center (vase shape), late winter/early spring

  • Fertilization: Late winter balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

  • Harvest: May-August depending on variety

  • Yield: 50-150 lbs per mature tree

  • Care Notes: Fruit thinning to 6 inches apart when marble-sized

  • Common Issues: Peach leaf curl (copper spray), brown rot, peach tree borers

PEAR TREES (Pyrus communis/pyrifolia)

  • Plant: January-February (bare root, dormant)

  • Spacing: 15-20 feet apart for standard, 10-12 feet for semi-dwarf

  • Soil: pH 6.0-7.0, deep, well-drained, fertile

  • Pollination: Most need cross-pollination - plant 2+ varieties

  • Pruning: Central leader or modified central leader, late winter

  • Fertilization: Early spring balanced application

  • Harvest: July-October, pick firm and ripen off tree

  • Yield: 50-100 lbs per mature tree

  • Care Notes: Fire blight prevention crucial - choose resistant varieties

  • Common Issues: Fire blight, pear psylla, codling moth

 

BERRY COLLECTION

BLUEBERRIES (Vaccinium corymbosum/ashei)

  • Plant: October-November or February-March

  • Spacing: 4-6 feet apart, 8-10 feet between rows

  • Soil: pH 4.5-5.5 (acidic - critical), high organic matter

  • Amendments: Peat moss, sulfur, pine needles

  • Water: 1-2 inches per week, shallow root system

  • Fertilization: Acid-loving plant fertilizer early spring

  • Pruning: Late winter, minimal first 2-3 years

  • Harvest: May-July, pick when fully blue

  • Yield: 5-10 lbs per mature bush (5+ years)

  • Varieties: Choose heat-tolerant rabbiteye types for Texas

  • Common Issues: Chlorosis (check pH), birds, scale insects

TABLE GRAPES (Vitis vinifera/labrusca)

  • Plant: January-February (bare root, dormant season)

  • Spacing: 6-8 feet apart along trellis

  • Soil: pH 6.0-7.0, deep, well-drained, moderate fertility

  • Support: Strong trellis system (T-post and wire)

  • Pruning: Late winter (January-February), remove 80-90% previous year's growth

  • Water: Deep, infrequent once established

  • Harvest: July-September, variety dependent

  • Yield: 15-30 lbs per mature vine (5+ years)

  • First Harvest: 2-3 years from planting

  • Common Issues: Black rot, Japanese beetles, birds, Pierce's disease

THORNLESS BLACKBERRIES (Rubus species)

  • Plant: January-March (dormant season)

  • Spacing: 3-5 feet apart along trellis

  • Soil: pH 5.5-7.0, well-drained, fertile, high organic matter

  • Support: Sturdy trellis system required

  • Pruning: Late winter and after harvest, remove spent canes

  • Water: 1-2 inches per week, especially during fruiting

  • Fertilization: Early spring balanced (10-10-10)

  • Harvest: June-July, sometimes September second crop

  • Yield: 10-20 lbs per mature plant

  • Care Notes: Train new canes, allow 6-8 strongest

RED RASPBERRIES (Rubus idaeus)

  • Plant: January-February (dormant season)

  • Spacing: 2-3 feet apart, 6-8 feet between rows

  • Soil: pH 5.5-6.5, well-drained, high organic matter essential

  • Support: Post and wire trellis system

  • Pruning: Late winter and after harvest

  • Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

  • Harvest: June-July (summer-bearing), June and September (ever-bearing)

  • Yield: 3-5 lbs per plant when mature

  • Heat Consideration: Choose heat-tolerant varieties, afternoon shade helpful

Common Issues: Cane blight, Japanese beetles, heat stress

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