When to plant

• Set out bare-root trees about 3 weeks before your average last spring frost.

Most are self-fertile. It blooms very early, so late frosts often take the crop; plant on a slope, not in a frost pocket.

Frost dates depend on where you live. Enter your ZIP code to get exact dates.

Dates by zone: 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

Growing basics

Toxic parts. Pits and leaves are toxic. Do not crush or eat pits.

Harmful to pets. Pits, stems, and leaves are toxic to cats and dogs.

Sun

Full sun (6+ hours)

Spacing

15–20 ft

Soil temperature

At least 45°F

Plant family

Rose family (berries, fruit trees)

Harvest per plant

About 50 lb

Companions

Keep apart: Horseradish. Horseradish spreads aggressively. Give it its own spot.

Keep apart: Mint. Mint spreads aggressively into neighbors. Keep it in a pot.

Keep apart: Fennel (bulb). Fennel slows the growth of most garden plants. Grow it on its own.

Keep apart: Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke). Sunchokes spread aggressively and shade neighbors.

Pests and problems

Grow it well

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