A fruit tree can thrive or die based on where, how and when it is planted, as well as how often it is watered. Knowing how to care for a fruit tree can make all the difference in how much it will produce and ultimately whether it will survive.
The Urban Farm in Phoenix sells fruit trees and provides comprehensive education and support for customers through its Urban Farm Fruit Tree Education Program.
Greg Peterson, founder of the Urban Farm, started doing public educational programs in 1999 as a way to encourage people to grow their own food.
“I know what I’m supposed to be doing is showing people where their food comes from and how to grow their own food. It’s never really been a choice for me. It’s always been what I’m supposed to be doing,” Peterson said.
LEARN MORE: Behind the scenes at the Urban Farm in Phoenix
Peterson also has a background with aquaculture ponds and hosts the Urban Farm Podcast, featuring conversations with food innovators.
He has lived on his 12,000-square-foot property in uptown Phoenix since 1989. Here he experiments to find the best techniques for growing fruit trees.
“The only kind of fruit trees that we bring in for people to purchase are the ones that I have proven that will actually work here. The promise of my fruit tree program is if you buy my fruit trees and do what I tell you to do, you’re going to get fruit in three or four years,” Peterson said.
Peterson said that during economic downturns, more people look into growing their own food. He's also seeing this trend during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One of the big reasons that I do this, and I’ve been saying this for decades, is that we have a three-hour supply of food on grocery store shelves. Once people get wind that there’s going to be shortages, the grocery store shelves are going to empty,” Peterson said. “We saw that happen in March, exactly what I’ve been preaching about for almost 20 years. I think that’s what gets people motivated to grow their own food.”
Peterson has expanded his fruit tree education program from 100 trees initially to 5,000 trees and plants a year.
He started out planting and potting fruit trees on his friend’s and his property in 1999, and soon after his friends started asking about the trees. Around the same time, he began teaching classes in his living room.
“I would have three, four or five people come to my home and we would talk about how to successfully grow fruit trees in the desert,” Peterson said.
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Buy the right fruit trees for the Phoenix climate
He says it is important to buy the right trees because not every variety will produce fruit in Arizona’s desert climate.
The Urban Farm sells citrus and deciduous trees that grow well in the low desert, including Desert Gold and Mid-Pride peach, Katy apricot, Dwarf Black and Pakistan mulberry and Anna apple trees.
Customers order trees in September and pick them up in October or January, depending on the optimal time to plant. Most trees range in price from $10 to $55, with some citrus trees costing more.
The Urban Farm also sells items that customers need to grow trees, such as mulch and supplements. Recently, Peterson added to his operation a hammer mill designed to turn mesquite beans into flour.
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What to expect at this year's fruit tree program
The fruit tree education program will kick off on Sept. 12 with a virtual event from Peterson’s home. There will be presentations from past customers and experts on topics such as tree successes and failures and extreme tree planting. Participants can win fruit trees, garden consults and items such as baseball caps.
After Saturday's kickoff event, Urban Farm will offer about 30 virtual sessions on topics such as three ways to kill fruit trees and what one needs to know before buying fruit trees.
Customers also receive access to a member portal with more content and one-on-one assistance from Peterson if needed.
Pro tips for fruit tree success
Peterson hopes to help people avoid mistakes that can cause fruit trees to suffer. He said owners should avoid planting trees in hot microclimates with concrete, dirt or gravel or in the middle of lawns. They also should not to overwater their plants.
It is important to build healthy soil, make sure the trees are shaded and cut back the grass or install a basin around the tree.
Peterson has found that customers have a greater chance of having success if they learn about growing fruit trees before receiving them.
“It is designed purposely to get people educated in September, October and November, get their tree holes pre-dug and get everything ready so that when their trees come in in January, they can pick up their fruit trees, take them home and get them planted for success,” Peterson says.
Fruit Tree Program Kickoff Event
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
Where: Virtual event on the Urban Farm's website.
Admission: Free.
Details: https://ift.tt/2Zkg70K.
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