Plant Life: Time is right for planting fruit trees

Q: Is fall or spring the best time to plant citrus and other fruit trees?

A: September and October are probably the best months to plant citrus and deciduous fruit trees because the cool nights and warm soil help the roots get established before next summer. March and April are probably the next best months, though you can plant citrus any month if you allow for the temperature while caring for them.

Most areas of Maricopa County average between 300 to 400 chilling hours per year. By selecting varieties of fruit that require around 250 hours of chilling to set fruit, you can be sure of a full crop almost every year.

Several peach varieties that grow well in the East Valley are Babcock, desert gold, desert red, earligrande, Floridaprince, tropic snow, tropic sweet, tropic beauty and bonanza — a dwarf variety. All of these require 300 or less chill hours.

For plum varieties try gulf gold, gulf ruby and Santa Rosa in the low desert.

Pears include Floridahome and Kieffer — Barlett is the least reliable.

Apples requiring 200 or less chill hours include Anna, Ein shemer and golden dorsett.

All the varieties mentioned are self-fruitful. If deciduous fruit trees are potted up, you may plant them anytime. If you want bare root fruit trees, get them during January.

Sequoia strawberries are also in nurseries now and can be planted for a spring harvest.