How to Plant Fruit Trees in the Pacific Northwest

Washington provides ideal temperatures for juicy, crispy apples.

Although Pacific Northwest states -- Oregon and Washington -- have reputations as cold, rainy areas, they actually cover some warmer Growing Zones, including 8 and 7. These regions feature bright, hot summers that can nurture many fruit trees, with cooler winters that become both chilly and wet. The states also have reputations as fruit-growing regions, with Washington producing high-quality apples and much of Oregon making its bones in pear and apple orchards. Plant your own specific fruit trees at specific times and in specific locations in these states for best growing success.

Things You'll Need

• 30- to 40-gallon pots
• Quick-draining potting soil
• Organic compost
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Plant fruit trees according to the variety and your location. Apple, pear, peach, plum and nectarine trees are hardy to these regions and will thrive in outdoor settings throughout Oregon and Washington. Sensitive trees such as lemons, limes, avocados, figs and olives won't survive the outdoor temperatures in either state, and so should be grown in pots.

2. Plant fruit trees in early spring, after the last frost in the region, to give the trees the entire summer to grow and take root before winter arrives. Last frosts fall as early as the second week of April in Brookings, Ore., and Walla Walla, Wash., and as late as early June in Colville, Wash., and late July in Bend, Pre. This puts fruit tree plantings in mid-April, mid-June and August, respectively.

3. Find an outdoor site that gets full sun for eight hours every day, with complete drainage. Avoid sites that sit low or are prone to frosts or puddling. Give each fruit tree at least 20 feet of space for outward growth, to avoid transplanting in the future. Dig a mixture of half quick-draining soil and half organic compost into the top 2 feet of soil. If you're potting your trees, use 30- to 40-gallon containers with drainage holes to give the trees room to grow. Fill the pots with this same soil mixture.

4. Plant fruit trees in holes that are as wide as their root balls and twice as deep. Spread the roots in the hole and water them with 2 inches of water, then pack soil in around them. Water the trees with another 2 inches of water to eliminate any air pockets. Set potted fruit trees outdoors for the summer, in areas where they'll get enough light.

5. Prune the fruit trees back to 3 to 4 feet after planting to encourage new growth and branching. This will lead to better foliage and fruiting when the trees get older.

Tips & Warnings

• Every fruit tree takes a specific amount of time to grow to maturity. Apples take two to five years, cherries take three to seven years, and pears take four to six years.

References

• North Carolina State University: Growing Apples in the Home Garden
• Washington State University: Gardening in Western Washington: Choosing Fruit Trees for the Home Orchard
• Washington State University: Why Fruit Trees Fail to Bear

Resources

• The United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: North-West US
• Victory Seeds: Average First and Last Frost Dates for Washington
• Victory Seeds: Average First and Last Frost Dates for Oregon