apple question ......

Kate, looks like you are convinced, but just in case: I have always had my best results with fruit trees/vines that are at least one zone inside of their declared range limits. Marginal situations almost never work. I failed with peaches and pawpaws, being at the northern edge. My american persimmon is a mediocre tree, and the Concord grape and hardy kiwis do not produce much. On the other hand, my chestnuts, jostaberries, raspberries, blackberries, mulberries and pears produce without much care. One other thing I really love, and you can grow very easily, is melons of all stripes (green, yellow, orange, cantaloupe, charentais) and watermelons. The latter are easier than the former. you still have more choice than most of us.

The farmer's grow fields and fields of all kinds of melons here. I have a couple of blackberries, already started. Thinking about grapes. HAven't decided where to put them as yet. The freeze got both my papaya trees that were big enough to produce , last year. I am not fond of them nor is my husband. We were always pawning them off on people. I love growing things. I most likely will one day try that apple . But will wait on a wetter year . Thanks so much for the thoughts and offer for help. hugs, Kate

Kate, I did a little research. Go to your local state ag extension service on line, and find out the number of chilling hours in your area. If they don't give a list of fruits with their chilling hours, go here

I appreciate your help so much. I will book mark the site, too. We are not only in a drought here but the nights are still hugging 70 degrees. About ten degrees higher than normal for this year. I believe I will wait for a better time to venture into apples down here. Especially the gravensteins, that are my favorite ones. Thank you again for taking the time to check details and research for me. Kate

Gosh, you sure can't say that people didn't try to help you with this one! I think we're going for the thread length record here. :-)

Steve