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.
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 am
I had never heard of haskap before. I just had a look at your past article. Wow! I’m going to be keeping an eye out for these in the spring. They sound so ideal. One of our gardening goals is to grow more of our fruits and veggies.
I’ll be adding you to my collection of Zone 4 and under blogs. I’m always excited to find another garden blogger growing in a cold climate, as I have a lot to learn!
March 26th, 2008 at 3:39 am
Exciting, aren’t they? Haskap has sooo much potential! I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of harvest I’ll get from them this year.
Thanks for the link! We cold climate bloggers gotta stick together!
May 30th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I live in Edmonton. I bought 3 grape plants last year. One of them actually gave grapes inside the house (it was already in the process when I bought it).
Of course, the intention is to have the plants outside, I have not being able to do it for the following things:
1)I do not have my rough grade approve yet and I don’t want to plant them and have to replant.
2) The backyard is facing north. I’m concerned if I should plant them at the front to give them more sunlight.
3) I’m concerned with winter protection, I see you built a green house. How did it work in winter? Did you add any kind of heat? or your concern was only with windshield?
4) Am I too late for transplanting? by the way, they are right know in a indoor trellis and in big pots.
I appreciate your repply.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I meant my final grade, I have my rough grade already
May 31st, 2008 at 8:04 am
Hi Alex. My thoughts for having my grapes in my greenhouse was primarily for protection, thus the greenhouse was not heated. However, my grapes did die back quite a bit that year. This last winter I took down my trellis and covered the grape vines with hay. Grapes are quite slow to get started here, so I’m still waiting to see how they faired over the winter this year.
Ideally, you should transplant when plants are dormant, but really you can transplant anytime if you’re going from pots to in the ground - that doesn’t disturb the roots nearly as much as if you were digging them out of the ground to move them somewhere else.
Hope that helps!
June 9th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Hi Dave,
I planted a Valiant grapevine last summer. It is against the house in a south exposure, wind protected spot. It is coming up beautifully but … it has little white insects on it. The larger leaves are somewhat spotty with a white colour. I have tried to find out on the web what these insects are and how to get rid of them but have had no success. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Dianne
June 13th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Hmmm. It’s hard for me to guess without actually seeing for myself, but if you look here - http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/03-039.htm - there is some information that might help you determine what the trouble is.
June 19th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Dave, I think you have whitefly. I get it too. I just go by with a strong hose and knock them off periodically. They don’t seem to affect the health of my Valiant.
June 19th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Sorry, meant Dianne.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Hi again.
I finally got my final grade certificate.
You mentioned I can transplant them anytime. I’m wondering in transplanting them now.
What kind of trellis would you suggest?
if I plant them next spring, is there a good chance I can get grapes that season? I read somewhere that grapes need to be in the cold prior producting grapes. is that true?
Wow, I’m debating what to do because is August.
Thanks,
August 13th, 2008 at 7:02 am
I think I would plant them now. They’re probably eager to get out of the pots and spread their roots. Plus, that will give your roots a chance to become established before winter. I couldn’t verify the “cold required before fruit” theory, but that would be another argument for planting them now.
Your style of trellis is up to you, just as long as it supports that weight of the vines. Commercial growers often just have a couple wires strung between between posts - kinda like our standard barbed-wire fence, but taller and with greater distance between wires (also not barbed.)
August 31st, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Hi again,
I just planted my valiant. I will plant the other two tomorrow.
My first question is when should I start doing winter protection? and when should I free the plant from it?
I’m planning to wrap the plant with a lot of old clothing plus a plastic paint container (4 gallons) and plastic Garbage container around it. Could this be enough?
I don’t want to bury them because I read somewhere this increases the chances of diseases.
I have read in many places that this plant will make it anyway but what I noticed last year is that the first cold kill one branch easily (so I put it inside right away). The same happen this year when I brought it outside too early and I brought inside again.
Regarding the person asking about the “white insects”. I think they could be “mealy bugs”. just check.
September 24th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Hi, I have a five year old Valiant that I just picked fruit from this morning, about 10 pounds I think. It was my Mother’s and we inherited it, the past two years we have laid the vines down early in November and covered them with about six inches of loose dirt, we have had no problems with disease.