Ten easiest fruit trees and perennials to grow in the south Texas zone 8b and 9A. 

I have 4 or 5 different pomegranates. I have several varieties of figs, many kinds of citrus, peaches, plums, and several pears. We can grow many things but they all seem to have one major flaw, such as disease or cold hardiness.

You have to have 2 chickasaw plums for cross pollination. I do have an Odom plum that is a hybrid chicksaw and a regular chicksaw for better cross pollination. I have a Gutherie improved chickasaw but they do not produce any root sprouts. Let me know this fall and we can work something out.

Coastal zones in the south seem to be pretty close to the same environment. West Coast is totally different even when they are in the same zone.

Yes, I’m mtns of sc. cool to see same zone in a different t state

Your welcome.

Thanks, this was made before the zone changes so probably easiest in zone 9a. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

I limited the list to things that I have actually grown. The only mulberry I have eaten fruit from is the typical fruitless mulberry you buy at the big box store. Not very good. But I am interested in growing one of the improved varieties. Almost bought a Shangri La variety in Houston earlier this year but did not have room in the car.

I have heard that certain varieties may have over estimated the chill hours that are needed. However, not all chill hours are the same. Chill hours early in the winter are not as effective as ones later in the winter, and temperatures in the thirties are more effective than ones in the forties. Plus, if you have warm, humid temperatures in the middle of winter, you lose some of the chill hours you got earlier in the year. On top of all that, chill hours vary due to micro climates. Throw that in with chill hours varying from 400 to 800 from year to year in my area, and it really gets complicated. I have been told to add 200 chill hour requirements to trees developed in California because their chill hours are more effective than ours.

I am in close to Beaumont only a couple of hours away. Are the fig trees growing vigorously? Could be the trees get too much nitrogen fertilizer and grows vegetatively instead of setting fruit. Where did you get you fig trees from? There is some in California that needs a pollinator from a wasp that only lives in a few counties in California. If sold in a store this would not be the case. Birds and squirrels also love figs, so if you have fruit and they disappear it could be critters. They also need a steady supply of water, and will drop fruit if they get stressed. Not wet but moist.

How much sun/shade are they getting?

I have never grown any of the guavas. Good to know.

@@growyourownfood7814I tried Pineapple Guava here in San Marcos, TX, and they died. Maybe I did something wrong, but I at least kept them watered during the drought.

@@wardenweaver3320 I have never grown any guava.

Gary’s list: -Jujube. -And pear (choose a fire blight resistant variety)-much easier than apples, might outlast your house. -And blackberries. -And lemonade tree (a relatively hardy and productive lemon/orange cross). -Satsuma mandarins, on trifoliate rootstock and with a little winter protection. No nitrogen fertilizer after July, to harden it off. -Cherry of the Rio Grande (not a true cherry). -Peach. Although brown rot can be an issue. Might live about 7 years. -Persimmon. -Improved varieties of Chickasaw plums: Guthrie or Odam. (Spelling?)

Odam (sp?). -Bonuses: loquat, pomegranates, mulberries, strawberries (“almost an annual here”).

I only know quince from “The Owl and the Pussycat.” Are they good?