Just because summer's ending doesn't mean the fruit-growing season is over. Discover fruit varieties to grow for a fall harvest, plus the fruits growing in my New Jersey garden - figs, berries, citrus, and more.
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When we think about growing fruit in our backyard, summer gets all the glory. Warm-weather favorites like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and more fill pots and the yard itself. A visit to the farmers market provides us with fresh fruit we can't grow ourselves. By the time September rolls around, it feels like the sweetness of the growing season is coming to an end.
But fall still has plenty to offer.
There are actually quite a few fruits that ripen in late summer and fall, giving gardeners another opportunity to enjoy a harvest of fresh, homegrown fruit. From late-season berries and crisp apples to jammy figs and more, there are plenty of fall-ripening fruits to keep your garden producing well beyond the summer season.
Fall is actually a great time to add fruit trees and bushes to your garden. Planting in September through early November gives them plenty of time to establish their roots before the first frost arrives. In fact, planting now while the temperatures cool can make the transition easier on new trees and shrubs.
If you already have established fruit plants in your garden, September and October can bring fall-ripening fruits ready to be harvested from late summer through the first frost - depending on the fruit, variety, and growing zone.
Fruits to Grow for a Fall Harvest
If you're looking to extend your fruit-growing season into September, October, or maybe even later, here is a list of fruits worth growing for a fall harvest. Check your growing zone and the amount of space needed for each plant before adding them to your garden.
- Blueberries - late varieties (such as Perpetua, Elliott, Aurora, Jersey, Lateblue, or Last Call) grow late spring through fall
- Figs - grows late summer into fall
- Blackberries - late summer into early fall, depending on the variety
- Elderberries - late summer into early fall
- Apples - late summer through fall
- Pears - late summer through fall
- Asian Pears - late summer into fall
- Grapes - late summer into fall
- Pawpaws - late summer into early fall
- Lingonberries - late summer through fall
- Cranberries - fall
- Persimmons - fall
- Hardy Kiwis - fall
- Mulberries - some have later harvests depending on variety and growing zone
- Olives - fall into early winter
- Meyer lemons - fall through winter
Fruits I'm Growing for a Fall Harvest
If you need some inspiration for your own garden, let's take a look at what's actually growing in mine. Most of these plants are new additions that are still establishing strong root systems, while others are just starting to produce fruit. Since I garden in growing zone 7b in New Jersey, not every fruit on the list above is an option for me to grow. However, I definitely have quite the variety growing in my garden this year.
Blueberries
You might think blueberries are only harvested in late spring and summer, but there are several late-season varieties that can provide a fall harvest, like Perpetua blueberries. This compact bush produces two harvests - one in late spring and another in late summer/early fall.
Figs
I'm currently growing Olympian figs in a large container. While they're a cold-hardy variety, I will be moving the pot indoors over winter. I planted this fig tree earlier in the season and it's already producing a ton of fruit!
Lingonberries
I added a lingonberry bush earlier this year and it's just beginning to ripen. I spotted the first red berry recently with plenty of other berries on its branches. While it's the first year growing this plant, I don't expect a huge harvest. But I'm already dreaming of homemade lingonberry jam!
Cranberries
I'm growing Stevens cranberries in a large container. While I don't expect berries for another year or two, it's nice to know that I'll eventually be able to make my own cranberry sauce just in time for the holiday season.
Olives
I also decided to grow an olive tree this year. It'll be several years before I see my first olive, but it's a nice looking tree that will look great in the house while it's overwintering.
Meyer Lemons
I have always wanted a citrus tree, but here in New Jersey it would have to be kept in a container. So I bought a Meyer lemon tree last year. This year, I finally have my first lemon on it. Eventually, the plant will be moved indoors for the winter and hopefully we'll have an even bigger harvest next year.
Fall doesn't mean the end of fresh homegrown fruit. With the right varieties, you can extend the harvest season well into September, October, and even November. Many of the fruit trees and plants I'm growing in my garden this year came from Trees.com. They have a great selection of fruit trees, shrubs, and more for home gardens. If you're looking to add a new fruit tree or bush to your garden before the growing season ends, you can save 20% on your first purchase with the code HOLOKA-TREES.
