Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy: Backyard Fruit for Beginners

Hi, it’s Elin Hill (the fruit nerd at Autumn Hill), this week I got to share my passion for backyard fruit with our garden club, The Greatful Deadheaders, and we had such a grand time, it felt only fair to share with all of you! So here ya go!

If I were mayor for a day, I’d decree that everyone plant at least one fruit in their yard. Truthfully, I think you should plant a lot more, but I’ll take what I can get.

When most people picture growing fruit, they imagine decades of waiting, complicated pruning schedules, constant spraying, and endless work for something they could grab at the store for a few dollars. That version of fruit growing doesn’t exactly inspire joy. The truth is, most of us aren’t trying to farm or produce enough to feed a family all winter. So why treat it like farm work?

I’m a big believer in the KISS method: Keep it simple, sweetie. Fruit growing can and should be fun. Think of it as a hobby, not a chore. Plant what you like to eat, give it enough care to thrive, and enjoy the process.

Here are some of the easiest fruits you can grow in Georgia.

Strawberries

If you want instant gratification, start with strawberries. Order a bundle of everbearing or day-neutral bare-root plants, tuck them into a path or a bed, and give them a little fertilizer. By spring, you’ll be rewarded with your first sun-warmed berry.

Mix in different varieties to spread out the harvest. You’ll hear advice to pinch the runners and first blooms in the first year. That’s great if you want maximum production, but if you’re like me and a little lazy, just let them grow and enjoy the berries when they come.

For big harvests all at once—great for jam—try June-bearing varieties. If you want a fun twist, plant Alpine strawberries in a shadier spot.

Varieties to Try: Allstar, Ozark Beauty, Seascape, Festival, Everysweet
Sources for Bare-Root: Raintree, Gurney’s (skip the big box stores)

Blueberries

Blueberries are unbeatable for ease and reward. Rabbit-eye varieties are native to our region and thrive with very little fuss.

Plant at least three different varieties for better pollination and a longer harvest season. Amend your soil so it drains well, fertilize with cottonseed meal, and water as needed. That’s about it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Prune every three years, or remove a third of the canes annually in rotation to keep them healthy. Deer and birds may compete with you for berries, so consider netting or planting extras.

Classic Varieties: Premier, Climax, Tifblue. Try Pink Lemonade for a fun twist!                                                                                                                                           Fertilizer: Cottonseed Meal

Blackberries and Raspberries

These berries fall into the “medium easy” category. They grow quickly and produce heavily, but they do require pruning to stay in check. The payoff is worth it, though—blackberries and raspberries are always a treat.

For detailed instructions, the University of Georgia’s Home Garden series has excellent diagrams.

Muscadines

If you’ve ever struggled with traditional grapes, try muscadines instead. They’re much less fussy and well-suited to our climate. They do require pruning, but once established, they grow vigorously and produce reliably.

If you’re only planting one, choose a self-fertile variety like Cowart or Tara. Uga’s Home Garden series has a fantastic diagram on pruning! 

Figs

If you only plant one fruit tree in Georgia, let it be a fig. They don’t need fertilizer, pollinators, or coddling, and they’re nearly impossible to kill unless you try. Figs also make beautiful landscape trees.

Prune in February, and that’s about all they ask of you. They even grow happily in containers, which adds to their appeal.

Favorite Varieties: Celeste, Brown Turkey, LSU, Chicago Hardy, Fignominal

Persimmons

Both American and Asian persimmons are great choices, but Asian varieties like Fuyu and Hachiya are especially easy in Georgia. They’re self-fertile, low on pests, and require little more than annual pruning and balanced fertilizer while young.

The fruit looks like glowing orange ornaments in late fall, brightening the garden when everything else is going dormant. They’re also delicious—sweet, rich, and underappreciated.

Prune when dormant, fertilize with a 10-10-10 fertilizer 3x a year when they’re young, reduce to once a year as they age. 

Favorite Varieties: Fuyu, Hachiya

Pomegranates

Yes, you can grow them here. Look for Wonderful or a Russian variety. They’re self-fertile, need minimal care, and are strikingly beautiful when covered in their jewel-like fruit.

Prune suckers in summer and shape while dormant, focusing on airflow. Fertilize young trees a few times a year with a balanced fertilizer, then cut back as they mature.

Favorite Varieties: Wonderful, Russian

Citrus

Citrus may sound tricky, but it’s easier than you think. The main challenge is bringing them indoors during winter. Otherwise, they’re low-maintenance: a bit of Citrus-tone twice a year, light pruning, and the occasional hand-pollination if they bloom inside.

They’re disease-resistant, container-friendly, wonderfully fragrant, and undeniably fun to grow. We currently carry Meyer Lemons, Grapefruit, Limes and Satsuma Oranges

Serviceberries

One more plant to consider is the serviceberry, sometimes called Juneberry or Saskatoon. These small trees or large shrubs are truly multi-purpose. They produce lovely spring blossoms, rich fall color, and blueberry-like fruits with a subtle almond flavor.

Georgia’s heat can be challenging, so choose Southern-friendly varieties like Autumn Brilliance or Princess Diana. Give them morning sun with some afternoon shade, plant them in well-drained soil, and fertilize lightly in spring.

Birds adore the fruit, so be prepared to net your tree if you want more than a handful. Even if you lose a few berries, you’ll still have a stunning ornamental tree that adds interest to your yard year-round.

Keep It Simple

Growing fruit doesn’t have to be complicated. Start small, keep it fun, and don’t overthink it. Even one strawberry patch, one blueberry bush, or one fig tree can transform your yard and give you something special to snack on right outside your door.

Fruit should be a joy, not a chore. Plant something this season and enjoy the sweet reward.

~Elin Hill