17 Hardy Fruits That You Can Grow On The Prairies
When I was a kid growing up in central Alberta, I was pretty sure that all good fruit came out of B.C. True, I we had raspberries and strawberries on the farm, but apples, plums, cherries, grapes and the like where all “exotic” fruit that simply didn’t grow in Alberta. How mistaken I was! Or at least, how things have changed! I never would have thought that I could be growing plums, grapes and kiwis just outside of Red Deer, Alberta. But it’s true. There is a whole world of hardy fruit plants that can survive and even thrive on the northern prairies.
So if you’re looking to grow some “exotic” fruit of your own, here’s my list of 17 hardy fruits that you can grow on the prairies.
1. Cherries
The University of Saskatchewan has really done great work in making cherries a viable prairie fruit. I now know of at least 10 varieties that are available. (I personally have 7 varieties.)
2. Haskap/Honeyberries
This fantastic fruit is amazing! Consider this… Can withstand -47 degree weather, ready for picking by the end of June, can produce 7 kgs of fruit per bush, and tastes great! Take a look at this article I wrote about haskap earlier.
3. Grapes
Yup, that’s right. Grapes in Alberta. Valient is the most common variety, but there are others as well. I’ve had mine for two years now, so I’ll be looking forward to my first harvest soon.
4. Plums
Pembina is the most common, but I’ve found about ten other varieties around.
5. Kiwis
This one blew me away when I heard about it. Kiwis in Canada. Go figure.
6. Blueberries
Perhaps the world’s favorite berry. You too can grow them.
7. Strawberries
Mmmmmm. Strawberries… Perhaps another one of the world’s favorite berries.
8. Raspberries
Despite all the “exotic” fruit I’ve mentioned, I’m afraid the plain ol’ raspberry is my favorite. Red, yellow, or black – wild or tame… They are delicious!
9. Hazelnuts
Nor really sure it’s a fruit, but close enough.
10. Apricots
I haven’t yet planted any yet, but the nursery just north of me is growing them.
11. Chums
Cherry plum, that is.
12. Pears
There are a few good varieties out there with more being developed!
13. Saskatoons
One of the few fruits native to Alberta. Also called service berries.
14. Gooseberry
Much better than the wild kind you ate green as a kid.
15. Cranberries
Why not my your own cranberry sauce this year?
16. Currants
Great for jams and jellies.
17. Apples
Not just crab, but there are all kinds of apples that are hardy enough for the prairies.
So there you have it. Proof that you don’t have to live in California to grow your own fruit. Did I miss some? Let me know!
You can find all of these fruits at either DNA Gardens or T & T Seeds.
Thank you for the link. I have downloaded the pdf and will get a better look at it in the next day or two. I considered growing my own rootstock however I did not want to wait for another year or more to get some rootstock actively growing. Plus getting 100 of my own would take some doing so I thought I would get a jump this way. I do agree with you however and I think I might propagate my own root stocks now both for economics and for better root stock. The other bonus is I wouldn’t have to deal with 100 at a time. My bad.
Regards,
Dave R.
I agree that fruit has come a long way and that there are more options out there than ever before. I’d clarify / question the cranberry choice. We can do Highbush cranberry, but the cranberry that we all think of (Ocean Spray, cranberry sauce, etc)is the bog cranberry and I don’t think that we can really do that one here. The Highbush is nice looking, and has nice fruit, but they have pits, I believe, so more of a juice/jelly kind of fruit.