Growing Pomegranate Trees
The origins of the Pomegranate can be traced to the middle east, most believe in modern day Iran. They were grown widely in most of the middle east, which makes sense since they tend to do better in drier climates. Both ancient romans & greeks grew and ate pomegranate. Greek knew it as the fruit of the dead. Ancient Egyptians ascribed prosperity and ambition to the humble pomegranate. They are mentioned in Greek, Hebrew, and Until recently they were were only available seasonally in the US. Some farmers have been growing them in California with good success. Making them available in more stores for longer than in the past.
Pomegranate has in history also been known as beneficial for a healthy life. This fruit according to many nutritional charts contains more than 5% of your daily needs for 9 different vitamins for each 3.5 ounces. With vitamin K registering the highest at 16%. Their fruits are also full of antioxidants. These nutritional benefits have many companies figuring out ways to add them to different types of foods and juices. The medical field has even chimed in by testing the effects of pomegranate juice on cancer, diabetes, lymphoma, heart disease and many others.
Why grow a pomegranate tree?
Pomegranates are not only delicious, but they are also packed with nutrients. Growing your own pomegranate tree can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some of the top reasons to grow a pomegranate tree:
- Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants.
- Pomegranates can help improve heart health.
- Pomegranates can help boost cognitive function.
- Pomegranates can help fight inflammation.
- Pomegranates can help promote weight loss.
While these may or may not actually prove to be attributable to drinking or eating pomegranate, you should eat it because it is delicious. It is one of the more unique fruits I have ever eaten. It is both sweet and bitter at the same time, but the most notable aspect of eating a pomegranate is the texture. It is a crunchy jelly mass when you bite into in. Just getting to it is a bit different, you have to scoop it out with a spoon.
What are the best pomegranate growing zones?
Pomegranates are heat-loving fruits that grow best in warm climates. In the United States, pomegranate growing zones are 9-11. This means that if you live in a place with cold winters, you’ll need to grow your pomegranate in a pot so you can bring it indoors during the winter months.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a pomegranate growing zone, you can plant your tree directly in the ground. Choose a spot that gets full sun and has well-draining soil. Pomegranates are drought tolerant, so they don’t need a lot of water once they’re established.
How to grow pomegranate trees
Pomegranates are not only delicious, but they are also relatively easy to grow. With a little bit of care, you can have a pomegranate tree in your own backyard. Here is what you need to do:
- Choose a sunny spot in your yard for the tree. Pomegranates need at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
- Prepare the soil by adding some organic matter, such as compost or manure. This will help the tree roots to establish themselves and grow well.
- Plant the tree at the correct depth. The root ball should be buried no more than 2 inches below the soil surface.
- Water the tree regularly, especially during dry periods. Pomegranates are drought-tolerant, but they will produce more fruit if they receive adequate moisture.
- Fertilize the tree twice per year, in spring and fall, with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit trees.
- prune the tree annually to promote new growth and fruiting wood. Pomegranate trees bear fruit on new wood, so it is important to remove any old or non-productive branches
Things to Consider when Growing Pomegranates
Pomegranates are a unique fruit that can be grown in a variety of climates. When deciding whether or not to grow pomegranates, there are a few things to consider:
-What type of climate do you live in? Pomegranates thrive in warmer climates with little variation in temperature. If you live in an area with colder winters, you may need to take measures to protect your pomegranate plants from frost damage.
-How much space do you have? Pomegranate trees can grow to be quite large, so make sure you have enough space for them to reach their full size.
-How much sun does your garden get? Pomegranates need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce fruit.
By taking these factors into account, you can determine whether or not growing pomegranates is right for you.
Picking and Storing Pomegranates
Pomegranates are a unique fruit that can add a lot of flavor and color to any dish. They are also very healthy, containing plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While pomegranates can be a bit tricky to grow, they are well worth the effort. Once you have a few pomegranates, you’ll need to know how to pick and store them so they stay fresh as long as possible.
When picking pomegranates, look for fruits that are deep red in color and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any fruits that are bruised or have soft spots. Once you’ve picked your pomegranates, bring them inside and store them in a cool, dry place. They will keep fresh for up to two weeks this way.
If you want to extend the shelf life of your pomegranates even further, you can store them in the fridge. Wrapping them in a paper towel first will help absorb any moisture that could cause them to spoil more quickly. Pomegranates stored in the fridge will keep fresh for up to three months.
Harvesting
Pomegranates are typically harvested from September to October. To harvest, cut the stem about 1-2 inches from the fruit using pruning shears. Be sure to wear gloves when handling the pomegranates as the juice can stain clothing. Once harvested, pomegranates can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 months.
I decided one day while at a nursery to buy a pomegranate tree and grow it. The tree is young, maybe a year and a half old. They don’t start to produce till about 3 years old and even then won’t really produce a decent harvest till about 5 years old. They don’t usually grow taller than 10 feet so they are easily maintain, though trimming is required or they look more like a shrub than a tree. Pomegranates are drought resistant and don’t have many diseases that you need to be concerned with. Though of course providing water and fertilizer will of course make for a healthy tree that will produce more quickly. Mine recently got to a size where I could start trimming it to provide a tree like shape. You should only try growing on in zones 9-11 as that is their natural temperature zone. They also do better is loose soil. Both acidic loam soil and alkaline soils work well with this hardy plant. Since they are not that large you can grow them in pots and their flowers are beautiful. I am excited to see how my pomegranate tree turns out and plan to grow new trees from its clipped trimming when it gets larger.
