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Apples
Our specialty, apples are the all around favorite fruit of Americans that are nutritious, low in calories, and delicious at any meal or as a snack. Apple trees require full sun, well drained and moderately fertile soil. As a rule, apples need cross pollinating with another variety to ensure a good crop set. Some varieties are noted as a
Pollinator because of their long bloom period, and should be included within every orchard, at least one per four other trees.
Dwarf Trees
(growing to 8-10 ft.) have the advantage
of easier pruning, spraying, and picking. Recommended spacing for dwarf trees is
6-8 ft. apart. They also take up less room and produce apples earlier in age,
but they do need to be supported with a trellis system or stakes. Recommended
spacing is minimum 10 - 12 ft. apart.
Semi-Dwarf
Trees
(growing to 15-18 ft.) are free standing, produce a higher volume of fruit, and tolerate a wider range of soils. Recommended spacing is
minimum 15 ft. apart.
For our varieties of
Apples, click
HERE
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Crabapples
Crabapple trees are great for the fruit they produce as well as being superb pollinators for apples. Care for them the same way you do apple trees.
For our varieties of
Crabapples, click
HERE.
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Cherries
Cherry trees should be planted in a sunny location with well drained soil. Soil pH needs to be at least 7.0, so most soils will need added lime. The cherries we offer are
noted as needing cross pollination or self-pollinating , but will set a better crop with another
variety; sweet with sweet, tart with tart. Prune to open vase shape in early spring before buds begin to break. Orchard Starter Tablets should be used when planting and a top dressing of 10-10-10 or calcium nitrate in June is good.
IMPORTANT: Avoid any mechanical injury to the trunk of the tree.
For our varieties of
Cherries,
click
HERE
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Asian Pears
Asian pears (sometimes referred to as
"apple pears") are extremely juicy and crisp. Great for eating right off the
tree, as well as a great addition to salads. These fruit are usually only found in specialty markets at a high price. Two varieties are needed for cross pollination. As with most pear trees, we recommend a good spray program that includes the use of Fire Blight
(streptomycin) spray during bloom. Bearing is expected in 2-3 years. Plant in full sun with Orchard Starter Tablets, and fertilize in following springs with a complete fruit fertilizer. Recommended spacing is 15' between trees.
For our varieties of
Asian Pears,
click
HERE.
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Peaches, Nectarines & Apricots
For beautiful, productive, and healthy trees, we recommended that peaches and
nectarines be planted in full sun with a minimum spacing of 18-20 ft. for good
sun and air circulation. A soil pH of 6.5 - 7.0 is preferred, so most soils will
need added lime; check with your extension agent for a soil test. All the
varieties we offer are self-pollinating, and the expected bearing age is 2-3
years old. High chill varieties bloom later in spring and are recommended in
Zones 5 - 7. Start your trees off right with our Orchard Starter Tablets, then
fertilize the following springs with a complete fruit fertilizer. Liming may be
needed annually also. With heavy crop sets, thinning to every 6" when the fruit
reaches 50 cent size is important to keep fruit size and quality at a maximum.
For our varieties of Peaches,
Nectarines
and
Apricots click
HERE
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Pears
Pears need full sun and moderately fertile soil. Most pears need another variety
for cross pollination. Set plants out with our Orchard Starter Tablets, and in
later years avoid over fertilization. Spray each bloom period with Fire Blight
Spray (streptomycin) to head off any fire blight. Bearing begins in 3-4 years.
Recommended spacing is 16-18 ft.
For our varieties of
Pears,
click
HERE
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Pecans  Pecans
are a staple of the southern gardener. The trees grow large (50+ ft.) and add
beauty to any landscape. The nuts are used in so many different ways such
as salads, breads, butters and fresh out of the shell. We enjoy them fresh year
round by keeping them in the freezer. Plant trees 50-80 ft. apart with at least
two different varieties for cross-pollination and heavier fruit set. Available
zinc in the soil is very important for good nut formation, consult your local
Extension Service agent for recommendations. Bearing age can be 3 to 7 years,
and will vary by variety and area. Our trees are a 3-4 ft. height with a 2 ft.
tap root and far reaching feeder roots. Prepare a 2-3 ft. deep by 3 ft. wide
hole. Mix soil with composted amendments and possibly lime, as they prefer a
loose soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5.
For our varieties of Pecans,
click HERE.
Persimmons
 A
beautiful tree in its own right, Asian persimmons bear a luscious sweet fruit.
Being more tropical in nature, and injured or killed below 10°F, they can be
successfully grown in Zones 8-11 and with protection in lower Zone 7.
Because of this tenderness, we can not guarantee these trees above Zone 8. Plant
in full sun for best blooming and ripening. A wide variety of soil types are
tolerated, preferring a loam soil. Not for the impatient, these trees do not
leaf out until summer temperatures reach and maintain in the 90°'s. The fruit
continue to ripen and become sweeter after picking. Bears in 4-7 years.
For
our varieties of Persimmons,
click
HERE.
Plums
Plums require full sun, well drained and moderately fertile soil on high ground or ground that is not in a frost pocket to avoid late spring frosts. Cross pollination with a self-fruitful variety ensures better crops. Set trees out with Orchard Starter Tablets, and in succeeding years fertilize with a complete fruit fertilizer. Bearing begins a 2-3 years. Recommended spacing is 16-18 ft.
For our varieties of
Plums, click HERE
SMALL FRUIT
Blueberries
 Blueberries
are one of the easiest and carefree fruits to grow - excellent for the
beginner and organic gardener. At least two varieties are needed for
cross pollination. Plant in full (best) to part sun in well-drained
compost-enriched soil with a pH of 4.5-5.2 is best. Don't plant any
deeper than the top of the root ball. Fertilize with two Grape & Berry
tablets the first year. Mulch well and keep a weekly deep watering the first
two summers either by rain or irrigation. Space 4-5 ft. for hedge effect or
6-10 ft. to be able to pick all around. Plant height may be kept at 4-6 ft.
for easier picking. It is recommended to pick off berries the first year to
encourage good shrub growth. With few pests or diseases, spraying may be
left to an "as needed" basis. Zones 5 - 9.For
our varieties of Blueberries, click
HERE
Various Bramble
Berries
Bramble berries are self-pollinating. Upright raspberries, boysenberries and blackberries should be planted two feet apart in full sun. When planting, protect roots from sunlight and keep moist. A loamy soil with a pH of 6. 0-6. 5 is best. The crown (origin of the root mass), should be planted no more than 1/2" below ground level. Water thoroughly, mulch, and fertilize with two
Grape & Berry Agriform tablets. Water plants weekly during dry spells. Trailing type
brambles should be planted the same way, but spacing needs to be 8-10 feet between plants and trellised.
For our varieties of
Raspberries, Boysenberries
and
Blackberries
click
HERE
Figs
Figs are widely adaptable to many soils, but do best in well-drained humus-enriched soils. Plant in full sun, and in colder
zones, the south side of a building will provide more winter protection.
When young and temperatures drop below 15 degrees, prepare to cover with a
blanket, basket with mulch or trench in. Mulch well and water in dry
spells. Cut whip back to 18" in mid to late spring after frosts for good branching.
For our different varieties of
Figs, click
HERE.
Grapes
Grapes are self-pollinating, and require deep, slightly acid soils and full sun. Plant vines 8-10 ft. apart on a trellis.
Mulch well and water in deeply. After growth starts, select the strongest shoot and let that grow into the main
trunk up to the trellis wire, pruning off the remaining branches. Our Grape
& Berry Starter Tablets will insure good growth the first year. In successive years, feed with a good complete fruit fertilizer each spring. In late winter, prune back runners every year to 3-4
buds. Bearing begins in 2-3 years.
For our varieties of
Grapes,
click
HERE.
Muscadines
A very sought after grape family grown in the south. Female varieties must be pollinated with a Self-fertile variety. Plant
10-20 ft. apart on trellises. Mulch well and water in deeply. After growth starts, select the strongest shoot and let that grow into the main
trunk up to the trellis wire, pruning off the remaining branches. Our Grape
& Berry Starter Tablets will insure good growth the first year. In successive years, feed with a good complete fruit fertilizer each spring. In late winter, prune back runners every year to 3-4
buds. Bearing may begin in 1-2 years.
For our varieties of
Muscadines,
click
HERE.
Strawberries
Full sun in a fertile, medium texture, well drained soil is best. Broadcast 5# of 10-10-10 over a 8x30 area. Till, rake smooth, and let a rain settle the bed. A week or two later lay off two rows four ft. apart, two feet from the edge of the bed. Set plants two ft. apart in the rows with the crown just above the soil line. Pinch off blooms the first
season.
For our different varieties of
Strawberries,
click
HERE.
We have found a wonderful web site
"Hort on the Internet: Fruit and Nuts".
A collection of Extension Service Publications on
fruiting plants
from across the nation for the homeowner.
What a treasure chest of information!!
Click on our apple man and see it for yourself!
Johnson Nursery, Inc.
Toll Free: 888-276-3187
Fax: 706-276-3186
sales@johnsonnursery.com
1352 Big Creek Rd., Ellijay, GA 30536
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