Q. My friend and I would like to plant a few fruit trees
on some property at Acoma Siding in Nevada. It is near Barclay, Nevada, east of
Caliente about 20-30 miles. I was wondering if you had some advice on types and
varieties of fruit trees that may do well there. I believe it is in the 5000′
elevation.
on some property at Acoma Siding in Nevada. It is near Barclay, Nevada, east of
Caliente about 20-30 miles. I was wondering if you had some advice on types and
varieties of fruit trees that may do well there. I believe it is in the 5000′
elevation.
A. This advice would also apply to property in southern
Nevada on the way up Mt Charleston and other higher elevations.
Nevada on the way up Mt Charleston and other higher elevations.
Your
best bet will be to plant on the side of a hill, if you can do it, to avoid
late spring freezes. The major limitation for you is minimum temperatures and
late spring frosts. To avoid these as much as possible planting on the sides of
hills and avoiding low spots where cold air can accumulate would be safest.
best bet will be to plant on the side of a hill, if you can do it, to avoid
late spring freezes. The major limitation for you is minimum temperatures and
late spring frosts. To avoid these as much as possible planting on the sides of
hills and avoiding low spots where cold air can accumulate would be safest.
Without
knowing your exact low winter temperatures it would be safe to assume you are
in apple, pear, sour cherry and plum country. Perhaps you might also try berries such as raspberry
and other cane fruit. The best website for general growing information on fruit selection for colder spots of the West will be
Dave Wilson Nursery and can be found at http://www.davewilson.com
knowing your exact low winter temperatures it would be safe to assume you are
in apple, pear, sour cherry and plum country. Perhaps you might also try berries such as raspberry
and other cane fruit. The best website for general growing information on fruit selection for colder spots of the West will be
Dave Wilson Nursery and can be found at http://www.davewilson.com
Stay
with fruit with a higher chilling requirement, probably around 800 to 900 hours,
and check their requirements for pollination. Some apples might be Rome,
Delicious, Northern Spy, Harrelson among others.
with fruit with a higher chilling requirement, probably around 800 to 900 hours,
and check their requirements for pollination. Some apples might be Rome,
Delicious, Northern Spy, Harrelson among others.
European
pears might include Bartlett, Comice and D’Anjou. But higher chilling hours may
be one indicator that they will probably perform better for you. On apples,
have them on a dwarfing rootstock such as M111.
pears might include Bartlett, Comice and D’Anjou. But higher chilling hours may
be one indicator that they will probably perform better for you. On apples,
have them on a dwarfing rootstock such as M111.
Because
you are in a very arid climate with desert soils, mulch the soil and add plenty
of soil amendments at the time of planting. That should get you going.
you are in a very arid climate with desert soils, mulch the soil and add plenty
of soil amendments at the time of planting. That should get you going.