I often mention that I'm planting more and more shrubs in my gardens. I like the big impact and I love the lower maintenance. But my first gardening love has always been vegetable gardening. Since there aren't too many vegetable shrubs and, even if there were, I have too much wildlife to grow them out in the open, I've been turning my attention to fruits and berries. While I've managed to squeeze in apples, peaches, cherries, quince, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and currants, I haven't had much to show for it this year. The critters are quick and they're not so fussy about letting things fully ripen on the plant.
Still, I'm always looking for something new to grow. I think our Trees and Shrubs Guide, Vanessa Richins, shares my fondness for growing things you can eat. She has a profile of pomegranates that intrigued me. I don't know how many pomegranates I'd actually want, but given my harvesting record, that shouldn't be a factor in my decision. However Vanessa says that pomegranates are only hardy down to Zone 7. That could be a challenge for me, but I'm still not ruling the plant out. Especially since there are dwarf pomegranates that grow to only 3' tall.
I also happened to be reading Charlie Narodzzi's Edible Landscaping column on "Unusual Edible Berries". The trendy Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) is hardy from Zone 5 - 9. Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) is even hardier and who wouldn't be tempted to try a honeysuckle berry? All of the berries he lists also seem to be attractive plants. So I've got my work cut out for me this winter, trying to narrow down next season's foray into suburban farming.
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Comments
Yes, you are right – I am especially fond of edible gardening. My favorite thing growing up was to start a strawberry patch when we moved, as possible.
You should be able to grow one if you keep it as an indoor plant, maybe? I think I may try it out myself here in Zone 5. Good luck!
Vanessa
I love Pomegranates.
I Wish I could grow those delicious exotic fruits here. I look forward to when the little gems are in season. They usually arrive in the shops around December time here. Just in time, as to me pomegranates are very festive adding a beautiful ruby-red colour to Christmas dishes.
Just crack these little orbs open and hidden inside you shall find little crimson jewels just bursting with juicy flavour.
Pomegranates are very versatile and can be used in either sweet or savoury dishes.
Try sprinkling the seeds over desserts, fruits salads, rice dishes, ice cream and use in other savoury dishes. Or just eat them on their own as a snack.
Every now and then I think about getting a greenhouse, but it would wind up being larger than my actual house, if I got one big enough for all the fruit trees I wish I could grow. Maybe I should just move some place warmer, but the grass is always greener on the other side, isn’t it?
They make me think of Christmas as well Pears.
Having them in a savoury dish sounds interesting.
The article says zones 7-10 and I believe you’re a 7 so you should be able to grow them.Perhaps in a sheltered spot like up by your house.These areas form little micro climates/zones.I know a fellow who has some annuals right against his house,which no matter how well insulated,continuing to radiate heat in the winter,and sometimes the roots survive and sprout the following year.
Cheers
I’m fortunate to be in San Diego where pomegranate trees thrive. Our one tree gives us 200 pomegranates almost every year. I always leave some for the birds to enjoy. My husband & kids love the juice I make from them. A little time-consuming to process, but well-worth it. We make muffins and sprinkle the seeds on cereal, as well.
I found a seedling growing about 20 feet away from the original tree, so I may have to share more fruit with neighbors in a few years.
That would be fantastic if I could grow them here Scotts.
I guess they would grow ok in a sunny conservatory?
But, I don’t have one of those. I’m sure I could find a sheltered spot some where outside. It may just be worth me having ago at growing a tree, as they are expensive fruits to buy over here. Would be great to have my own little gems.